MARION COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES BOARD
MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 2020
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, January 15, 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, January 5; main lobby bulletin board, January 5; and Agency Facebook page, January 8. The notice was posted at the Marion County Building on January 5. Marion County Job and Family Services remains closed to the public. Board Chair, Mr. John Peterson called the meeting to order at approximately 12:06 p.m. Ms. Marianne Bailey was unable to attend due to family needs.
Mr. Peterson called for the review of the Minutes. The December Finance Committee and December 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 approved both sets of 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 December Revenue and Expenditures reports had been distributed to board members prior to the meeting for review. Mr. Dan Downes reported $693,383.66 in receipts and $438,355.39 in expenditures. The primary revenue sources for the month were Title IV-E reimbursement, the State Child Protection Allocation and Title XX transfer from Marion County Job and Family Services. Placement related costs remain the most significant monthly expenditure; however, it is trending downward due to diligent family search and engagement efforts. Mr. Peterson requested a motion. Ms. Staci Thomas motioned to approve the December financial reports as presented. Dr. Heinzmann seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Peterson called for the Purchased Care Report. The December report had been distributed to board members prior to the meeting for review. Ms. Jacqueline Ringer reported no new placements for the month. Child ID#888101 was stepped up from treatment foster care to a group home due to treatment needs. Child ID#22311180 and #2067518 were reunified with family. As of today, the Agency currently has 32 children in purchased care for a net cost of $98,489.83.
Mr. Peterson called for Agency-Held Accounts – 4th quarter. Account summaries had been distributed to board members prior to the meeting for review. Ms. Ringer reviewed 4th quarter use for each account. No questions expenditures or revenue 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 consistent caseloads as the same time in 2019. The Intake unit conducted 55 assessments of safety in December for an average caseload size of 10. The Ongoing units provided services to 134 families and 255 children for an adjusted caseload of 14.8. Ms. Ringer noted one vacancy has been filled, effective January 25. Ms. Ringer reminded the board of the previous decision to increase casework staff to six in all three units. Due to financial constraints, the positions were not filled regardless of continued turnover and increased caseload. As a result of increased funding and decreased placement costs, the management team has decided to fill one of the three positions in Ongoing. The Agency currently has two ongoing positions to fill. 69 children were in the Agency’s custody and 99 children were in the temporary custody of kinship. The Placement unit provided services to 38 foster homes and 34 adoptive homes. The Agency celebrated the adoption of a sibling group of two last week with another adoption scheduled for later this month. 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 86 children and 46 families. The Executive Director’s Report had been distributed to board members prior to the meeting for review. Ms. Ringer summarized work completed from July – December 2020 and reviewed upcoming goals. No questions or concerns noted on the trajectory of work to be completed. Ms. Ringer provided an update on the Family Resource Center. The separation of utilities continues to be a work in progress; however, the Agency will estimate utility cost and bill Family Court until a solution has been finalized. After more internal discussion, the suggested Memorandum of Understanding noting child protection funding will not be used to support the Family Resource Center and/or activities associated does not appear necessary as the Agency’s financial practices will prove the fact.
Mr. Peterson called for Unfinished Business. No unfinished business presented.
Mr. Peterson called for New Business. The Quarterly Reports – 4th Quarter had been distributed to board members prior to the meeting for review. Ms. Ringer noted the Foster Care Critical Incidents report was not completed due to the supervisor being on maternity leave. Ms. Ringer noted the Agency’s internal process of caseworker, supervisor and administrative review of each Critical Incident. Ms. Ringer noted no Grievances for the quarter. Mr. Downes summarized the Safety and Risk and Personnel reports. No general themes requiring additional action were noted. Mr. Peterson requested a motion. Ms. Thomas motioned to approve the quarterly reports as presented. Ms. Jolene Carter seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion was passed unanimously. The draft 2021 Board Manual had been distributed to board members prior to the meeting for review. Ms. Ringer reviewed all recommended updates and revisions. Of special importance, the role of the Secretary will continue to include Finance Committee participation but not require the Chair responsibility. In addition, Ms. Ringer recommended revising the agenda to include Public Comment at the beginning of the meeting. The Board Chair will still retain to ability to allow public participation to occur later in the meeting if deemed appropriate. Mr. Peterson requested a motion. Ms. Thomas motioned to approve the 2021 Board Manual as presented. Ms. Carter seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion was passed unanimously. Ms. Ringer will reach out to board members to obtain Conflict of Interest forms.
Mr. Peterson called for Miscellaneous/Other. No miscellaneous/other presented.
Mr. Peterson called for Public Comment. No public comment 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 February 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. Ms. Bryant-Messenger motioned to adjourn. Mr. Peterson adjourned the meeting at 12:55 p.m.