2010 marks a new, fresh look for the Family Services Department. Through the planning efforts of the Structure Committee formed under the agency Strategic Plan, the Intake, Abuse and Ongoing Services Units have come together under one Family Services Department umbrella to provide unified, quality services to children and families.

The Intake and Abuse Units serve as the agency front door, responsible for receiving, screening and assessing reports of possible child abuse, neglect and/or dependency. In 2010, these two specialized units worked to assess 1,268 such reports for Mahoning County. Additionally, 191 referrals for Prevention, Families in Need of Services (FINS) and Unruly/Delinquency services containing possible elements of abuse, neglect or dependency were addressed. Of noted importance is the increase in the number of infants born addicted to and withdrawing from illegal drugs used by their mothers prior to childbirth. The current predominant drug used is most often heroin—relatively inexpensive to use and “easy” to obtain.

Those assessed families who need to strengthen the family unit, increase child safety and decrease child risk are transferred to the Ongoing Services Units. The Ongoing casework and supervisory staff initiate services by engaging and empowering families to actively identify family needs, build on family strengths and develop a case plan important to healthy family functioning and child safety. In 2010, the Ongoing Services Units provided services to 514 families. Out of the approximately 1,200 children served in Ongoing, only an average of 153 per month required foster care placement. These figures clearly demonstrate our continued commitment to keep children safe, when possible, within their own family systems.

When services to assist and support families are not enough to protect children in their own homes, placement with extended family or kin may be required. Such least restrictive placements maintain continuity for children and preserve important relationships. In 2010, 104 custody transfers to relative and kin families took place. In those rare occasions when parents are unable or do not wish to reunify their families, and no extended family are able or available, permanent custody of the child may be obtained. The Family Services Department was granted permanent custody of nine children with the power of adoption in 2010, including the permanent surrender of six children.

In addition to forming a more comprehensive department, two new programs have been implemented: the Alternative Response Pilot and the Family Intensive Program (FIP). Alternative Response is designed to help Ohio’s child welfare agencies meet the needs of children and families. It is based on the belief that families can stay together if they receive the assistance they need when concerns occur. Alternative Response creates a working partnership among families, caseworkers and community agencies and is designed to ensure child safety and well-being by addressing the family’s issues as early as possible. Instead of conducting a traditional family assessment, caseworkers respond with an “alternative family assessment response,” in which they assess the needs of the child or family – in a non-threatening, non-adversarial manner – and then offer services to meet those needs. This approach offers services without requiring a formal disposition/substantiation that maltreatment has occurred or that the child is at risk for maltreatment.

During the past two years, Mahoning County Children Services has been assessing service delivery to children and families as part of its strategic plan. One specific area of interest has involved the connection of child abuse and neglect with juvenile delinquency. After extensive research of literature, talking with other child welfare agencies, and meeting with community partners, a Family Intensive Program (FIP) was established to embrace the common responsibilities and goals that require child welfare, juvenile justice, and other youth-serving agencies to work in new, more effective, collaborative efforts. A team comprised of one intake unit caseworker, one abuse unit caseworker, two ongoing caseworkers, and three supervisors has been formed to pilot this pro-active effort to enhance interagency service coordination and reduce service duplication. The pilot targets high-risk juvenile offenders ages 12 – 17 and their families with the following criteria for screening in for services: (1) significant family problems, e.g. abuse/neglect; (2) significant school problems, e.g. truancy or suspension; (3) a pattern of individual problems, e.g. drug and/or alcohol use; (4) pre-delinquent behavior patterns, e.g. running away.

Also added to the Family Services Department is the Independent Living Program and the Training Unit for new casework employees. Anita Wainwright, Coordinator for the Independent Living Program, is extremely proud of her youth’s successes. On June 16, 2010 four of our graduates were honored at the Pioneer Pavilion in Mill Creek Park. Congratulations to all the graduates and we wish them much success.

The training unit for new casework employees is also taking on a new look. Lead caseworkers, in conjunction with their supervisors, are now providing “hands on” cross-systems training with new casework staff, providing a more complete exposure to and experience in child welfare. In combination with the Northeast Ohio Regional Training Center, it is our goal to furnish new casework staff with the best educational opportunities, skills and tools in order to provide quality services to children and families.