MARION COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES BOARD
MEETING OF APRIL 16, 2021
MEMBERS PRESENT: JOLENE CARTER
DR. HENRY HEINZMANN
ELLEN BRYANT-MESSENGER
JOHN PETERSON
STACI THOMAS
MEMBERS ABSENT: MARIANNE BAILEY
SHAWN JACKSON
STAFF PRESENT: DAN DOWNES, BUSINESS MANAGER
CARRIE GROGAN, PLACEMENT SUPERVISOR
JACQUELINE RINGER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The regular meeting of the Marion County Children Services Board was held on
Friday, April 16, 2021 at noon via Zoom video conferencing as a result of Ohio’s
social distancing recommendations due to COVID-19. Marion County was listed
as a Level 3 on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. Level 3 indicates a “very
high exposure of spread”. The Agency provided public notification via the
Agency’s website, March 30; main lobby bulletin board, March 30; and Agency
Facebook page, April 5. The notice was posted at the Marion County Building on
March 30. Marion County Job and Family Services remains closed to the public.
Board Chair, Mr. John Peterson called the meeting to order at approximately 12:01
p.m. Ms. Marianne Bailey was unable to attend due to family needs. Mr. Shawn
Jackson had a work obligation.
Mr. Peterson called for Public Comment. No public comment presented.
Mr. Peterson called for the review of the Minutes. The March Board Meeting
Minutes had been distributed to board members prior to the meeting for review.
Mr. Peterson requested a motion. Dr. Henry Heinzmann motioned to approve the
minutes as presented. Ms. Ellen Bryant-Messenger seconded the motion. There
being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Peterson called for the monthly Financial Reports. The March Revenue and
Expenditures reports had been distributed to board members prior to the meeting
for review. Mr. Dan Downes reported $334,215.25 in receipts and $416,159.12 in
expenditures. The primary revenue source for the month was Title IV-E
reimbursement. Placement related costs remain the most significant monthly
expenditure. Mr. Peterson requested a motion. Ms. Staci Thomas motioned to
approve the March financial reports as presented. Ms. Jolene Carter seconded the
motion. There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Peterson called for the Purchased Care Report. The March report had been
distributed to board members prior to the meeting for review. Ms. Jacqueline
Ringer reported two new placements for the month and two placement changes. No exits were noted for the month. As of today, the Agency has 34 children in
purchased care for a net cost of $408,707.85.
Mr. Peterson called for Agency-Held Accounts. Account summaries for each
agency-held account had been distributed to board members prior to the meeting
for review. Ms. Ringer reviewed the first quarter use and ending balance of each
account. No questioned receipts or expenditures noted.
Mr. Peterson called for Committee Reports. The Monthly Services had been
distributed to board members prior to the meeting for review. Ms. Ringer reported
the Intake unit conducted 95 assessments of safety in March for an average
caseload size of 16.8. The Ongoing units provided services to 125 families and 240
children for an adjusted caseload of 11.4. 57 children were in the Agency’s custody
and 98 children were in the temporary custody of kinship. The Placement unit
provided services to 39 foster homes and 34 adoptive homes. Post finalized
adoption services were provided to 91 children and 46 families. Post emancipation
services were provided to three children for the month.
The 5 Year Service Analysis had been distributed to board members prior to the
meeting for review. Ms. Ringer noted a decrease in referrals at the beginning of
2020 as a result of the stay-at-home orders. However, by October 2020 monthly
reports of maltreatment exceeded those received during the same time in 2019. The implementation of the Assessment of Safety Analysis Protocol (ASAP) has proven to be a valuable learning tool and one that has better prepared staff to complete comprehensive assessments of safety and risk. 296 children were placed outside of their home in either foster or kinship care in 2020. The expanded kinship search and engagement efforts proved critical as child removal continues to escalate. Ms. Ringer noted future efforts include continued efforts to improve comprehensive safety and risk assessments, expanded kinship search and engagement efforts, and planning for Family First implementation.
Ms. Ringer explained the current expanded kinship and search efforts, including
the implementation of 30 Days to Family. Understanding the Agency’s need to
serve an increasing population and the recent adoption of the Kinship Support
Program (KSP), the Agency is discussing options with Kinnect. The goal is to
maintain 30 Days to Family while addressing the limited personnel resources
coupled with the increased local responsibility of KSP.
Ms. Ringer requested a Finance Committee Meeting to review the 2022 draft
budget. The meeting was scheduled for May 21, 2021 at 11:15 a.m.
Mr. Peterson called for Unfinished Business. The revised Executive Director
Annual Performance Review Process had been distributed to board members prior
to the meeting for review. The evaluation tool was finalized as well as the timeline.
It was agreed upon for the board to obtain management team input from individual
members. Ms. Ringer will provide a draft management team evaluation tool. Ms.
Bryant-Messenger agreed to look further into on-line survey options to be
administered by the board.
Mr. Peterson called for New Business. The Quarterly Reports had been distributed
to board members prior to the meeting for review. Ms. Ringer noted no grievances
for the 1st quarter. Ms. Carrie Grogan, Placement Supervisor, summarized the
Foster Care Critical Incident report. Mr. Downes reviewed both the Personnel and
Safety and Risk Management report. No general themes requiring additional action
were noted. Mr. Peterson requested a motion. Ms. Bryant-Messenger motioned to
approve the reports, in aggregate, as presented. Dr. Heinzmann seconded the
motion. There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Peterson called for Miscellaneous/Other. No miscellaneous/other presented.
There being no further business, Mr. Peterson moved on to the date and time of the
next board meeting. The next meeting will be held on May 21 at noon in-person.
There being no further business to come before the board, Mr. Peterson requested a motion. Dr. Heinzmann motioned to adjourn. Mr. Peterson adjourned the meeting
at 1:05 p.m.