MARION COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES BOARD
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 19, 2021
MEMBERS PRESENT: JOLENE CARTER
DR. HENRY HEINZMANN
SHAWN JACKSON
ELLEN BRYANT-MESSENGER
JOHN PETERSON
STACI THOMAS
MEMBERS ABSENT: MARIANNE BAILEY
STAFF PRESENT: DAN DOWNES, BUSINESS MANAGER
JACQUELINE RINGER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The regular meeting of the Marion County Children Services Board was held on
Friday, February 19, 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, February 1; main lobby bulletin board, February 1; and Agency
Facebook page, February 5. The notice was posted at the Marion County Building
on February 1. Marion County Job and Family Services remains closed to the
public. Board Chair, Mr. John Peterson called the meeting to order at
approximately 12:07 p.m. Ms. Marianne Bailey was unable to attend due to family
needs.
Mr. Peterson called for Public Comment. No public comment presented.
Mr. Peterson called for the review of the Minutes. The January 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. Staci Thomas seconded the motion. There being no
further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Peterson called for the monthly Financial Reports. The January Revenue and
Expenditures reports had been distributed to board members prior to the meeting
for review. Mr. Dan Downes reported $146,658.81 in receipts and $417,346.76 in
expenditures. The primary revenue source for the month was Title IV-E placement
reimbursement. Placement related costs remain the most significant monthly
expenditure; however, continues to trend down as a result of reduced foster care
utilization. Ms. Ringer noted a decrease of $161,373.93 in contract services from
January 2021 compared to January 2020. Mr. Peterson requested a motion. Ms.
Ellen Bryant-Messenger motioned to approve the January 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 January report had been
distributed to board members prior to the meeting for review. Ms. Jacqueline
Ringer reported Child ID#4020919 was previously stepped down to traditional
foster care; however, the child’s behaviors required treatment level foster care.
Child ID#3544990 was placed in the custody of kinship. As of today, the Agency
has 33 children in purchased care for a net cost of $190,028.73. Ms. Ringer
summarized the Consolidating Appropriations Act which recommends local public
children services agencies to maintain custody of children ready to emancipate
through September 30, 2021. This could potentially affect five children currently
listed on the purchased care report; however, the Agency will do what is necessary
to support foster youth through the pandemic.
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 67 assessments of safety in January for an average
caseload size of 12.3. The Ongoing units provided services to 130 families and 249
children for an adjusted caseload of 14.4. Ms. Ringer noted the Agency is ready to
offer the last casework vacancy to a candidate. 65 children were in the Agency’s
custody and 99 children were in the temporary custody of kinship. Ms. Ringer
noted the significant impact Speak Write has made on timely completion of
dictation. Intake and Ongoing staff are reporting the voice-to-documentation
system has increased time management and quality of dictation. The Placement
unit provided services to 38 foster homes and 34 adoptive homes. The case of one
child remains in the appeals process. The Agency continues the adoptive matching
process for ten children in permanent custody. Post finalized adoption services
were provided to 91 children and 46 families. Post emancipation services were
provided to one child for the month. This number may increase during the course
of the year as a result of the Consolidating Appropriations Act. The 30 Days to
Family Annual Report had been distributed to board members prior to the meeting
for review. Ms. Ringer reported out of the 10 formal 30 Days to Family cases,
100% were placed with kin. Informally, the program served an additional 37
children. Statewide, pilot counties experienced fewer children in foster care, more
kinship placements identified earlier in the case, increased engagement of paternal
family, and more kinship support and connections. Ms. Ringer indicated similar
results for Marion County. Financially speaking, the average placement cost for a
30 Days to Family case is $8,929 less than comparison children. Should the pilot
continue to show strong results for children and families, Ms. Ringer will
recommend continuing the program at conclusion of the pilot. The Senate Bill 310
(Kinship Support Program) Summary had been distributed to board members prior
to the meeting for review. Ms. Ringer provided background to the bill and current
understanding of the legislative changes. Ms. Ringer noted the Kinship Support
Program continues to evolve as more information is shared with local public
children services agencies. The continuation of the current Kinship Incentive
Program does not appear to have been included in the biennium budget.
Preliminarily speaking, it appears that it is being replaced by the Kinship Support
Program which mandates agencies to maintain custody of the children and requires kinship providers to become licensed foster parents within six months of
placement. Ms. Ringer is recommending continuing with current Agency practice
and continue to utilize the Kinship Incentive Program at this time. If the Kinship
Incentive Program is removed from the budget, the Agency will work with Family
Court as the Kinship Support Program will require significant changes to Marion
practice.
Mr. Peterson called for Unfinished Business. No unfinished business presented.
Mr. Peterson called for New Business. No new business presented.
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 March 19 at noon via Zoom.
The board will conduct the meeting virtually due to Ohio’s current COVID-19
exposure.
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 12:46 p.m.