The year 2007 presented a variety of new challenges to our agency, as traditional roles and approaches to service delivery in child welfare changed. Throughout the State, agencies have seen a growing number of youth come into placement for “unruly or delinquent behavior”. These youth stay in care longer and often require more expensive placements in residential care. Challenged by an increase in referrals of child abuse and neglect and increasing placement numbers, we focused on providing quality services, while working with families to strengthen their own family systems to tackle problems and ultimately prevent placement. Through the process of “family team meetings”, families are encouraged to develop their own support systems to address the challenges they face. Agency programs continue to provide individualized casework services, designed to meet the unique needs of each family.

Technological changes also had a major impact on the agency this year. With the much anticipated introduction of a new state computer system, SACWIS (Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System), information tracking in child welfare was fundamentally changed. After months of preparation to build the capacity of agency staff in the use of this technology, staff were able to try out their new knowledge and skills beginning with our SACWIS kick-off on April 2, 2007. Mahoning County Children Services was one of the first ten agencies in the State to “go live” with this system. At the end of this year, approximately 50% of Ohio’s potential child welfare “users” had transitioned to the new SACWIS system. As with any major technological change, many issues emerged requiring State and local collaboration. After almost a year utilizing the new SACWIS system, staff continue to identify and address critical issues impacting all aspects of child welfare services.

While 2007 was a year of many changes, one thing has never wavered – and that is our commitment of working to insure children can grow up in safe, stable and permanent families. Working with our community partners, we have provided services to protect children and preserve families. We are grateful to have the continued support of our community – for a strong and supportive community creates strong families and children, not only for today but for future generations to come.

For More Information Contact:

Mahoning County Children Services
222 West Federal Street, 4th Floor; Youngstown, Ohio 44503
TEL: 330-941-8888 FAX: 330-941-8787