Therefore, why would our state eliminate the only state program that funds this service?
(if you double-click on this picture, it will enlarge so you can actually read it...)
Friday, March 20, 2009
Eliminating the only state program to fund IL services
The Ohio Governor and Supreme Court’s own Summit on Children initiative indicates that of the services most frequently cited by counties as challenging, top among them is lack of funding for independent living services for foster youth aging out of care.
Therefore, why would our state eliminate the only state program that funds this service?
(if you double-click on this picture, it will enlarge so you can actually read it...)
Therefore, why would our state eliminate the only state program that funds this service?
(if you double-click on this picture, it will enlarge so you can actually read it...)
Please don't cut Ohio's TANF Independent Living Allocation
Witnesses Tell Personal Stories of What State Assistance Means to Them Hannah Report, March 19, 2009
Thursday’s Human Services Subcommittee hearing had a whole different tone as legislators got to hear from a number of beneficiaries of state human services programs – many of whom thanked them for supporting a variety of state programs.
An upbeat group of witnesses were members of the Ohio Chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America.
While they were lobbying for the restoration of $2.5 million/year in Independent Living funds to help foster youth who age out of the system, they themselves were perhaps the best selling point, with Rep. Denise Driehaus (D-Cincinnati) commenting that they were a “thoroughly impressive group.”
Making a notable impression was Adrian McLemore, who addressed the subcommittee as “future colleagues” and who said he hopes one day to be mayor of Dayton, governor of Ohio and president of the U.S.
He also addressed the panel as “Momma Brown, Daddy Burke, Auntie Sears, Sister Boyd and Cousin Driehaus, making the point that it is the state that is family for foster youth.
Gabriel Koshinsky expanded on that idea: “Many of you growing up had the privilege of living in a loving home with caring parents and a strong community that supported you. These relationships provided a basis of empowerment and investment that gave you the reinforcement to believe in yourselves.
“Unfortunately, this is not the case for all children and young adults in this state. Over 17,000 children in the state of Ohio do not have a home and many are separated from their own siblings. They are alone in a world that is difficult to navigate.”
Monday, March 09, 2009
Green County and foster care prevention
A commitment to advocacy
DiLorenzo, Paul. Greene County Dailies, Feb. 28, 2009.
In the arena of child welfare, small beginnings are not insignificant. Recently, I accompanied a Greene County social worker on a home visit. For the social worker, and the single mother of three very young children, there was nothing unusual about the event.
After several weeks, they had come to know and rely on each other. Both were committed to keeping the children safe and out of foster care. The social worker has been creative and flexible, doing whatever it takes to preserve the family’s integrity. The parent’s situation is strained, but she has managed to make incremental and important steps. Things were tentative for these three youngsters with whom I spent some time. However, all three were fiercely attached to their mother, and each other. Removing them from their mom, and their community, and perhaps separating them from each other, as is often the case in foster care, would be a mistake with generational consequences.
As it turns out, Greene and many other counties in the state have been successful in protecting kids and turning the tide on unnecessary placements. I thought about why that might be the case and why other agencies remain inconsistent in their charge to protect children and preserve families. Even when a child welfare agency has more than sufficient resources, provides training for all staff and lowers its caseload, why do children within its purview still remain inadequately served? While agencies such as the one I visited continue to produce improved results for compromised families, many others remain mired in mediocrity for years.
When I observed the social worker on my Ohio visit, I thought of the term “advocrat” used by one of my colleagues. The Greene County social worker is employed by local government and accountable to the citizens of her community, but she understood unequivocally that children always are her first responsibility.
She works in an agency where the culture supports individualized solutions for complex problems and never accepts a business-as-usual approach.
The agency administration and the social workers have a fire in their bellies for child safety and the value of a permanent home. In fact, most successful agencies intentionally recruit, train and promote those types of individuals. They do this because they understand that what happens on the front lines, between a social worker and a family, far outweighs anything written in a report by experts or on an editorial page.
It was a helpful reminder to visit this successful agency. I was also grateful to this mother who allowed me to spend time with her wonderful children. Like any other young mom, she said she loved them, and at times, she said, they were “driving me crazy.” But I was struck mostly by the capacity, compassion and commitment of the social worker that was unshaken in her resolve to keep the children safe, and the family intact.
The state of Ohio has many pockets of child welfare excellence. Strong leadership and creative approaches to supporting families distinguish those county agencies. And this commitment to advocacy on behalf of children and families will make them successful partners with our national 2020 Strategy.
Paul DiLorenzo is senior director of strategic consulting for Casey Family Programs, the largest national operating foundation whose sole mission is to provide and improve – and ultimately prevent the need for – foster care.
DiLorenzo, Paul. Greene County Dailies, Feb. 28, 2009.
In the arena of child welfare, small beginnings are not insignificant. Recently, I accompanied a Greene County social worker on a home visit. For the social worker, and the single mother of three very young children, there was nothing unusual about the event.
After several weeks, they had come to know and rely on each other. Both were committed to keeping the children safe and out of foster care. The social worker has been creative and flexible, doing whatever it takes to preserve the family’s integrity. The parent’s situation is strained, but she has managed to make incremental and important steps. Things were tentative for these three youngsters with whom I spent some time. However, all three were fiercely attached to their mother, and each other. Removing them from their mom, and their community, and perhaps separating them from each other, as is often the case in foster care, would be a mistake with generational consequences.
As it turns out, Greene and many other counties in the state have been successful in protecting kids and turning the tide on unnecessary placements. I thought about why that might be the case and why other agencies remain inconsistent in their charge to protect children and preserve families. Even when a child welfare agency has more than sufficient resources, provides training for all staff and lowers its caseload, why do children within its purview still remain inadequately served? While agencies such as the one I visited continue to produce improved results for compromised families, many others remain mired in mediocrity for years.
When I observed the social worker on my Ohio visit, I thought of the term “advocrat” used by one of my colleagues. The Greene County social worker is employed by local government and accountable to the citizens of her community, but she understood unequivocally that children always are her first responsibility.
She works in an agency where the culture supports individualized solutions for complex problems and never accepts a business-as-usual approach.
The agency administration and the social workers have a fire in their bellies for child safety and the value of a permanent home. In fact, most successful agencies intentionally recruit, train and promote those types of individuals. They do this because they understand that what happens on the front lines, between a social worker and a family, far outweighs anything written in a report by experts or on an editorial page.
It was a helpful reminder to visit this successful agency. I was also grateful to this mother who allowed me to spend time with her wonderful children. Like any other young mom, she said she loved them, and at times, she said, they were “driving me crazy.” But I was struck mostly by the capacity, compassion and commitment of the social worker that was unshaken in her resolve to keep the children safe, and the family intact.
The state of Ohio has many pockets of child welfare excellence. Strong leadership and creative approaches to supporting families distinguish those county agencies. And this commitment to advocacy on behalf of children and families will make them successful partners with our national 2020 Strategy.
Paul DiLorenzo is senior director of strategic consulting for Casey Family Programs, the largest national operating foundation whose sole mission is to provide and improve – and ultimately prevent the need for – foster care.
Foster parents not being paid, foster parent applicants not subject to background checks???
Butler child agency behind on bills
Ellis, Amber. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 5, 2009.
Butler County Children Services is so behind on its bills that foster parents are getting paid late and the state briefly shut down a system used to conduct criminal background checks on potential foster parents, the agency director said Wednesday.
County layoffs and a merger of the agency’s financial division have left more bills than workers can handle, Director Mike Fox said.
Backlogs worsened, he said, when an employee stopped working, unbeknownst to anyone else, after learning she would be laid off. Months later, supervisors discovered piles of unpaid invoices hidden in her desk drawer. = selfish
All of these issues led to bills not being paid, Fox said, and the shut down Monday of a system that allows the agency to do state-required fingerprints on potential foster parents. According to Fox, this same system shut down temporarily in December because of similar non-payment issues.
On Tuesday, a county employee drove an $8,000-plus check to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation in London, Ohio. The system was turned back on a day after county commissioners approved the payment.
County Administrator Tim Williams said there is no backlog. He acknowledged processing is more difficult than in the past because there are fewer people working. But he said the problem comes down to poor planning, not a lack of resources.
To solve the problem, Williams said, Children Services needs to set up automatic payments, so bills are paid at the same time every month.
Fox says not paying families on time could force these parents to switch to other networks, a move that would cost the agency hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of dollars each year.
For now, foster parents are more concerned about the immediate future and making sure their payments, which are used to care for children, come on time, said Sue Gregory, former president of a support group for foster parents.
Gregory took in her most recent child in January. She received her check at the end of February, about two weeks late.
That’s a troublesome situation, she said, for families who depend on those checks.
“I don’t know any foster parent out there who does it for the money, but we do need it to pay for gas and other things that come up. The checks seem to be coming later and later," she said. "And with the economy the way it is, this is starting to put a strain on everyone.”
Ellis, Amber. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 5, 2009.
Butler County Children Services is so behind on its bills that foster parents are getting paid late and the state briefly shut down a system used to conduct criminal background checks on potential foster parents, the agency director said Wednesday.
County layoffs and a merger of the agency’s financial division have left more bills than workers can handle, Director Mike Fox said.
Backlogs worsened, he said, when an employee stopped working, unbeknownst to anyone else, after learning she would be laid off. Months later, supervisors discovered piles of unpaid invoices hidden in her desk drawer. = selfish
All of these issues led to bills not being paid, Fox said, and the shut down Monday of a system that allows the agency to do state-required fingerprints on potential foster parents. According to Fox, this same system shut down temporarily in December because of similar non-payment issues.
On Tuesday, a county employee drove an $8,000-plus check to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation in London, Ohio. The system was turned back on a day after county commissioners approved the payment.
County Administrator Tim Williams said there is no backlog. He acknowledged processing is more difficult than in the past because there are fewer people working. But he said the problem comes down to poor planning, not a lack of resources.
To solve the problem, Williams said, Children Services needs to set up automatic payments, so bills are paid at the same time every month.
Fox says not paying families on time could force these parents to switch to other networks, a move that would cost the agency hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of dollars each year.
For now, foster parents are more concerned about the immediate future and making sure their payments, which are used to care for children, come on time, said Sue Gregory, former president of a support group for foster parents.
Gregory took in her most recent child in January. She received her check at the end of February, about two weeks late.
That’s a troublesome situation, she said, for families who depend on those checks.
“I don’t know any foster parent out there who does it for the money, but we do need it to pay for gas and other things that come up. The checks seem to be coming later and later," she said. "And with the economy the way it is, this is starting to put a strain on everyone.”
Crawford County wants to license therapeutic foster homes within county
Crawford County working to add therapeutic foster care
Gasuras, Kimberly. Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum, March 7, 2009.
GALION - The Crawford County Job and Family Services Children Services Unit is working with the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board, Crawford County Juvenile Court and Community Counseling Services to benefit local children.
"We have 34 children in traditional foster homes in our county, but there are nine children in therapeutic foster homes that are located outside of our county," Crawford County Children Services Placement Supervisor Julie Mandusic said. "There are also five children currently in residential treatment facilities. We feel the children in therapeutic settings would be better served if they could stay in Crawford County near their family members who are there for them, their friends and their schools."
The collaboration is a strong one, focused on the best interest of the children, she said.
"Everyone in the collaboration, which also includes Juvenile Court Judge Eckstein, gets what we are trying to do. Sue Bauer is our foster-to-adopt placement coordinator, and she is doing a lot of work to make this come together," said Children Services Intervention Supervisor Peggy Reeves.
Crawford County Job and Family Services Executive Director Tom O'Leary also sees the importance of keeping children who need a therapeutic setting close to home.
"Of the nine children in therapeutic settings currently and the five children in residential care, half are girls who have been sexually abused. They need extensive therapy to overcome what they have been through and a loving home while they are dealing with everything.
"The other half are boys who have gotten into some amount of trouble, most of which come from single-parent homes. They need a therapeutic home with a strong male role model," he said.
In the past, Children Services has been forced to place children in need of therapeutic placements in homes outside the county through private agencies.
"The cost for a child in traditional care is $25 per day for children 12 and under. For children 12 and up, it is $30 per day. The cost for a child in therapeutic foster care is about $125 per day while children in residential treatment facilities require $225 per day," Reeves said.
Crawford County spends about $1.2 million per year on foster care.
"By finally having the ability to license therapeutic foster homes in our own county, we will save the taxpayers money and be able to use that money for other services to help the families in our own county," O'Leary said.
The agency will have an open house at 5 p.m. Monday for anyone interested in becoming licensed. Refreshments will be served at the the agency's Galion office at 865 Harding Way West.
For information, call 419-468-3255.
Gasuras, Kimberly. Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum, March 7, 2009.
GALION - The Crawford County Job and Family Services Children Services Unit is working with the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board, Crawford County Juvenile Court and Community Counseling Services to benefit local children.
"We have 34 children in traditional foster homes in our county, but there are nine children in therapeutic foster homes that are located outside of our county," Crawford County Children Services Placement Supervisor Julie Mandusic said. "There are also five children currently in residential treatment facilities. We feel the children in therapeutic settings would be better served if they could stay in Crawford County near their family members who are there for them, their friends and their schools."
The collaboration is a strong one, focused on the best interest of the children, she said.
"Everyone in the collaboration, which also includes Juvenile Court Judge Eckstein, gets what we are trying to do. Sue Bauer is our foster-to-adopt placement coordinator, and she is doing a lot of work to make this come together," said Children Services Intervention Supervisor Peggy Reeves.
Crawford County Job and Family Services Executive Director Tom O'Leary also sees the importance of keeping children who need a therapeutic setting close to home.
"Of the nine children in therapeutic settings currently and the five children in residential care, half are girls who have been sexually abused. They need extensive therapy to overcome what they have been through and a loving home while they are dealing with everything.
"The other half are boys who have gotten into some amount of trouble, most of which come from single-parent homes. They need a therapeutic home with a strong male role model," he said.
In the past, Children Services has been forced to place children in need of therapeutic placements in homes outside the county through private agencies.
"The cost for a child in traditional care is $25 per day for children 12 and under. For children 12 and up, it is $30 per day. The cost for a child in therapeutic foster care is about $125 per day while children in residential treatment facilities require $225 per day," Reeves said.
Crawford County spends about $1.2 million per year on foster care.
"By finally having the ability to license therapeutic foster homes in our own county, we will save the taxpayers money and be able to use that money for other services to help the families in our own county," O'Leary said.
The agency will have an open house at 5 p.m. Monday for anyone interested in becoming licensed. Refreshments will be served at the the agency's Galion office at 865 Harding Way West.
For information, call 419-468-3255.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Response from 'nonprefered' adoptive parents
Gay men criticize new adoption, foster care policy
Swiegart, Josh. Hamilton News, March 6, 2009.
HAMILTON — Grace calls Michael "Daddy," and calls his partner Andrew "Dada."
And as the 2-year-old pedaled around Michael's feet on her red tricycle, Michael said he was "incensed" by a new Butler County Children Services policy that he takes to mean he'll only be used as a last resort foster or adoptive parent because he's gay.
The agency quietly created the policy Dec. 8 after Andrew — who asked to not use their last names over safety concerns involving the biological family — adopted Grace after caring for her as a foster father since birth.
The agency's policy gives traditional married couples preference over single parents or same-sex couples in fostering and adopting children.
Children Services Director Michael Fox said the policy — possibly the only one of its kind in the state — is not meant to discriminate, and the agency didn't oppose Grace's adoption.
"The right thing to do was to let the child continue to live with them," he said.
But he defended the policy.
"Data-wise, and there's tons of it, kids do better in families when there is a traditional married couple," he said.
The new policy doesn't mean the agency won't use single parents or same-sex couples, Fox said. In fact, he said, the agency usually gives preference to unmarried Butler County foster parents over out-of-county residents, and gives preference to whoever has been taking care of a child in adoption proceedings.
"Without exception, the best interest of the child trumps," Fox said.
But Michael said he takes it personally, and says it is discrimination. "We will not be contacted until every other avenue has been exhausted," he said.
Michael said he and his partner became foster and adoptive parents two years ago and have had one foster child in addition to their adopted daughter. But despite complaining about children needing foster parents, the agency hasn't placed a child there since September 2007, he said.
"We see the ads in the newspaper, we've seen the ads on TV ... we have called. We've made tons and tons of phone calls asking (about foster placement)," Michael said. "They always say, 'Yes, we will keep you in mind.' "
Swiegart, Josh. Hamilton News, March 6, 2009.
HAMILTON — Grace calls Michael "Daddy," and calls his partner Andrew "Dada."
And as the 2-year-old pedaled around Michael's feet on her red tricycle, Michael said he was "incensed" by a new Butler County Children Services policy that he takes to mean he'll only be used as a last resort foster or adoptive parent because he's gay.
The agency quietly created the policy Dec. 8 after Andrew — who asked to not use their last names over safety concerns involving the biological family — adopted Grace after caring for her as a foster father since birth.
The agency's policy gives traditional married couples preference over single parents or same-sex couples in fostering and adopting children.
Children Services Director Michael Fox said the policy — possibly the only one of its kind in the state — is not meant to discriminate, and the agency didn't oppose Grace's adoption.
"The right thing to do was to let the child continue to live with them," he said.
But he defended the policy.
"Data-wise, and there's tons of it, kids do better in families when there is a traditional married couple," he said.
The new policy doesn't mean the agency won't use single parents or same-sex couples, Fox said. In fact, he said, the agency usually gives preference to unmarried Butler County foster parents over out-of-county residents, and gives preference to whoever has been taking care of a child in adoption proceedings.
"Without exception, the best interest of the child trumps," Fox said.
But Michael said he takes it personally, and says it is discrimination. "We will not be contacted until every other avenue has been exhausted," he said.
Michael said he and his partner became foster and adoptive parents two years ago and have had one foster child in addition to their adopted daughter. But despite complaining about children needing foster parents, the agency hasn't placed a child there since September 2007, he said.
"We see the ads in the newspaper, we've seen the ads on TV ... we have called. We've made tons and tons of phone calls asking (about foster placement)," Michael said. "They always say, 'Yes, we will keep you in mind.' "
Butler County's controversial adoption policy
Agency sets adoption 'preferences'
Ellis, Amber. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 5, 2009.
Butler County Children Services has quietly adopted a controversial policy to give “traditional” married couples preference over single parents and same-sex couples looking to adopt children through the foster care system.
The new rule, which took effect in December, would not exclude these groups from adopting, but it clearly states that when all other things are equal, married couples would be given the advantage.
Children Services Director Mike Fox says he knows the policy touches on a thorny issue that many people don’t like to talk about. But in reality, he says, his agency is putting in writing one of many characteristics workers consider when placing children.
“When you strip away all the political correctness, just ask the simple question: If you had a choice for children to grow up in single families or a non-traditional family, what would you choose?” Fox asked. “The data overwhelmingly says that kids who grow up in traditional families have a better chance of success in life.”
The policy is not absolute. “The trump card in all decisions is the best interest of the child,” he said.
So for example, if a baby girl has been placed in a home with a same-sex couple for two years and is doing well, the agency won’t remove the infant because a traditional family wants to adopt her.
Even so, the policy, which appears to be the first of its kind in the state, is raising questions about its legality and whether it discriminates against certain groups.
Sue Gregory was one of several parents shocked Wednesday to learn about a policy they called both “unfair” and “discriminatory.”
Even though she’s a stay-at-home mom and wouldn’t be affected by the change, she said she’s still disturbed by it.
“I love staying at home with my kids, but that doesn’t say the foster mom who is single and has to work is any less of a parent,” said Gregory, past president of a local support group for foster parents.
“This seems wrong on so many levels that I can’t wrap my head around it. I don’t understand it. Whether they are gay, lesbian or single, these people are still awesome parents to their children, and it’s wrong.”
Ellis, Amber. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 5, 2009.
Butler County Children Services has quietly adopted a controversial policy to give “traditional” married couples preference over single parents and same-sex couples looking to adopt children through the foster care system.
The new rule, which took effect in December, would not exclude these groups from adopting, but it clearly states that when all other things are equal, married couples would be given the advantage.
Children Services Director Mike Fox says he knows the policy touches on a thorny issue that many people don’t like to talk about. But in reality, he says, his agency is putting in writing one of many characteristics workers consider when placing children.
“When you strip away all the political correctness, just ask the simple question: If you had a choice for children to grow up in single families or a non-traditional family, what would you choose?” Fox asked. “The data overwhelmingly says that kids who grow up in traditional families have a better chance of success in life.”
The policy is not absolute. “The trump card in all decisions is the best interest of the child,” he said.
So for example, if a baby girl has been placed in a home with a same-sex couple for two years and is doing well, the agency won’t remove the infant because a traditional family wants to adopt her.
Even so, the policy, which appears to be the first of its kind in the state, is raising questions about its legality and whether it discriminates against certain groups.
Sue Gregory was one of several parents shocked Wednesday to learn about a policy they called both “unfair” and “discriminatory.”
Even though she’s a stay-at-home mom and wouldn’t be affected by the change, she said she’s still disturbed by it.
“I love staying at home with my kids, but that doesn’t say the foster mom who is single and has to work is any less of a parent,” said Gregory, past president of a local support group for foster parents.
“This seems wrong on so many levels that I can’t wrap my head around it. I don’t understand it. Whether they are gay, lesbian or single, these people are still awesome parents to their children, and it’s wrong.”
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