Putting “Family and Children First”

1. Putting “Family and Children First”

2. The purpose of the cabinet council is to help families seeking government services…by streamlining and coordinating existing services for families seeking assistance for their children. Statutory Purpose

3. Communities have many “players” working individually with youth and families….

4. We are about bringing the individual players together so to effectively impact children and families

5. OFCF Cabinet Council – Past, Present, Future

6. Then Developed state and local Interdepartmental Cluster Services for Youth Cluster focused on multi-system children From Placement Funding to Community Based Funding Now OFCF Cabinet and county FCFCs Service Coordination focused on multi-need children Access to Better Care Reclaim History of OFCF Cabinet Council Governor Celeste Intersystem efforts for multi-system children 1984 - 1991

7. Then Created OFCF Cabinet and 88 county FCFCs in statute Local decision-making and input into policy Emphasis on parent involvement and responsibility Strong private sector investments on multiple initiatives, including HMG and emphasis on counties being able to access federal and other non-state dollars for services and programs. Strong emphasis on early childhood and prevention Funds to develop Service Coordination Mechanism, state pooled funds for county service coordination needs (Cluster $); Family Stability funding Now OFCF Cabinet and county FCFCs remain H.B. 289, First Lady visits FCFC Family Representatives; Family Network Meetings Lack of private sector investments HMG; Creation of the Early Childhood Cabinet Updated SC Mechanism; no funds to support local service coordination needs but instead have ABC and FAST funding History of OFCF Cabinet Council Governor Voinovich All children will enter school ready to learn. 1991-1998

8. Then Built structure of OFCF with increased state level positions until 2003 when 12 positions ended Continued existing initiatives focused on early childhood, prevention, and out of home placement reduction until 2003 when significant funding ended; Sponsored a model (PfS) to assist counties in planning with an emphasis on child well-being through commitments and indicators H.B. 289 passed requiring planning and reporting on child well-being based on the success of PfS Established P-16 Councils and WIA Boards Became initiative focused, instead of looking at priorities, issues, policies Now OFCF Staff of 7 positions remain Access to Better Care and Help Me Grow initiatives PfS has developed based on local lessons learned to a community capacity building model with 44 counties County HB 289 Plans and 1st year Reports P-16 councils and WIA Boards continue Becoming priorities, issues, and policy focused again History of OFCF Cabinet Council Governor Taft Enabling every child to succeed. 1999-2006

9. 2007-2008 First Lady chairs OFCF Cabinet Relationships established through 88 County FCFC Visits by First Lady and OFCF Cabinet Directors Cabinet studies purpose and value of FCFC Cabinet’s work being prioritized based on First Lady FCFC Visits’ Challenges and Issues PfS continues; HB 289 plans and reports submitted by counties; Service Coordination continues, ESCORE for service coordination data collection and analysis; ABC initiative; HMG History of OFCF Cabinet Council Governor Strickland 2007-present

10. A community-based seamless system of care for families and children needing assistance. OFCF Cabinet Vision

11. A partnership of state and local government, communities, and families that enhances the well-being of Ohio’s children and families by building community capacity, strategically coordinating systems and services, and engaging and empowering families. OFCF Cabinet Mission

12. Families are at the center of service planning and system design. • The uniqueness within families and communities is valued and respected. • Mutual respect for professional knowledge-base and competencies amongst partners guides decision-making. • Services and supports are built on a seamless continuum from prevention through treatment, including points of transition. • Decisions regarding service planning and system design are data informed and evidence based. OFCF Cabinet Guiding Principles

13. OFCF Core Functions Shared Accountability for OFCF’s Vision Engage and Empower Families Build Community Capacity Coordinate Systems & Services

14. Shared Accountability for OFCF’s Vision

15. Accountability • Mandates which operationalize FCFC • Specifies Cabinet Council and 88 local county councils mandated membership and responsibilities • Outcome Focused

16. OFCF Cabinet Council Membership • Governor & Governor’s Office • First Lady, Chair • ODADAS • ODA • OBM • ODE • ODH • ODJFS • ODMH • ODMRDD • ODYS • ODRC

17. County FCF Council Membership • County Commissioners • At least 3 parents not employed by an agency on FCFC • ADAMH Board or ADAS and CMH Boards • General Health District • City Health Department • CDJFS • PCSA • MRDD Board • Largest school district • School district representing all other districts • Largest municipal corporation • DYS • Head Start • Help Me Grow / Early Childhood Collaborative Group • Non Profit agency • Others

18. Engaging & Empowering Families

19. Family Engagement with FCFCs At least three family representatives are members on FCFCs who: • are not employed by an agency represented on the council, and • whose families are or have received services from an agency represented on the council. Where possible, the number of members representing families shall be equal to 20% of the council’s membership.

20. FCFC Roles with Family Engagement A key role of FCFCs is to ensure ongoing input from a broad representation of families who are receiving services within the county system.

21. OFCF’s Family Engagement Efforts Current efforts to support family engagement include: • OFCF Cabinet Council Advisory Board which requires three family representatives • Biannual regional family network meetings • Training provided on the “Making Room at the Table” curriculum • Exploration of creating a Center or Network for Family Engagement and Empowerment

22. Building Community Capacity

23. House Bill 289Achieving Better Outcomes for Children OFCF Cabinet Council and the 88 FCFCs must plan and annually report progress on improving child well-being that focus on: • Expectant parents and newborns thrive • Infants and toddlers thrive • Children are ready for school • Children and youth succeed in school • Youth choose healthy behaviors • Youth successfully transition into adulthood

24. Restoring Prosperity • FCFCs have the capacity and opportunity structure to assist communities in restoring economic growth and prosperity among its citizens. • Mobilize citizens, businesses, foundations, and stakeholders around key elements impacting the well-being of a community (schools, public safety, workforce, and physical landscape)

25. Coordinating Systems & Services

26. FCFC Service Coordination:A Recipe for Success • Shared philosophy about the way services should be delivered to children and families • Collaborative infrastructure supported by policy and funding mechanisms • Services and supports unique to a family-driven plan

27. Service Coordination Mechanism ORC 121.37 (C) What’s in the law? • Each county develops a county service coordination mechanism. • The county service coordination mechanism shall serve as the guiding document for coordination of services in the county.

28. FCFC Service Coordination • Each council must have a referral process. • Families, agency staff and schools must be notified of and invited to all family service coordination plan meetings.

29. FCFC Service Coordination • Families may initiate a family service coordination plan meeting. • Families may invite a family advocate, mentor, or support person to participate in service coordination plan meetings.

30. FCFC Service Coordination • A family service coordination plan meeting must be conducted for each child receiving service coordination and for whom an emergency out-of-home placement has been made or a non-emergency out-of-home placement is being considered. • Nothing overrides or affects decisions of a juvenile court regarding an out-of-home placement, long-term placement, or emergency out-of-home placement.

31. Family and Children First Councils Local FCF councils are in a unique position to support the ongoing development of youth by maximizing opportunities to coordinate services which focus on the youth’s individual strengths and needs.

32. The Challenge Developing a process collaboratively that works in each community.

33. What We Have Learned from the 88 County FCFC Visits • Substance Abuse and Mental Health • Flexible Funding, including RFPs/grants • FCFC Audits • Early Childhood, that includes Help Me Grow • Medicaid/Managed Care • Juvenile Justice/Offender Reentry • Kinship Care/Older Adults • Education and Employment Issues for Youth Transitioning • Autism, Developmental Delays, and Dual Diagnosis • FCFC Local Leadership

34. Ohio Family & Children First THANK YOU!!