MARION COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES BOARD
MEETING OF MARCH 19, 2021
MEMBERS PRESENT: JOLENE CARTER
DR. HENRY HEINZMANN
ELLEN BRYANT-MESSENGER
JOHN PETERSON
MEMBERS ABSENT: MARIANNE BAILEY
SHAWN JACKSON
STACI THOMAS
STAFF PRESENT: ANN BRISTOLL, CASEWORK SUPPORT SRVCS SUPERVISOR
DAN DOWNES, BUSINESS MANAGER
JACQUELINE RINGER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The regular meeting of the Marion County Children Services Board was held on
Friday, March 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, March 4; main lobby bulletin board, March 4; and Agency
Facebook page, March 5. The notice was posted at the Marion County Building on
March 4. Marion County Job and Family Services remains closed to the public.
Board Chair, Mr. John Peterson called the meeting to order at approximately 12:00
p.m. Ms. Marianne Bailey was unable to attend due to family needs. Mr. Shawn
Jackson was unavailable, and Ms. Staci Thomas had a work obligation.
Mr. Peterson called for Public Comment. No public comment presented.
Mr. Peterson called for the review of the Minutes. The February Board Meeting
Minutes and March Executive Committee 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, in aggregate, 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 February Revenue and
Expenditures reports had been distributed to board members prior to the meeting
for review. Mr. Dan Downes reported $286,384.69 in receipts and $438,927.22 in
expenditures. The primary revenue source for the month was Title IV-E placement
reimbursement and other state funding. Placement related costs remain the most
significant monthly expenditure. Mr. Peterson requested a motion. Ms. Jolene
Carter motioned to approve the February 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 February report had been
distributed to board members prior to the meeting for review. Ms. Jacqueline
Ringer reported no new placements for the month; however, three children
required placement changes due to disruptions and one child was hospitalized for
mental health concerns. Two children were reunified with family. As of today, the
Agency has 32 children in purchased care for a net cost of $269,488.05. Ms.
Ringer noted five children may either be reunified with family or adopted in the
first half of 2021.
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 77 assessments of safety in February for an average
caseload size of 13.8. The Ongoing units provided services to 119 families and 231
children for an adjusted caseload of 10.8. Ms. Ringer noted several cases were
closed in court; however, Intake is in the process of transferring several cases. 61
children were in the Agency’s custody and 93 children were in the temporary
custody of kinship. As of today, the Agency has 55 children in foster care. The
Placement unit provided services to 37 foster homes and 32 adoptive homes. A
recent appellate decision upheld the order granting permanent custody of a child to
the Agency. At this time, the Agency has 12 children in permanent custody and
efforts to find permanency through adoption are underway. Post finalized adoption
services were provided to 91 children and 46 families. Post emancipation services
were provided to two children for the month. This number may increase during the
course of the year as a result of the Consolidating Appropriations Act.
Mr. Peterson called for Unfinished Business. No unfinished business presented.
Mr. Peterson called for New Business. The 2021 Children’s Home Endowment
Board Funding Request had been distributed to board members prior to the
meeting for review. Ms. Ringer summarized each account budget to be presented
to the Endowment Board in April. In total, the 2021 funding request of $3,500 will
support Special Projects ($1,500), the Foster Parent Association ($1,500), and
Adoptions ($500.00). Mr. Peterson requested a motion. Ms. Carter motioned to
approve the funding request as presented. Dr. Heinzmann seconded the motion.
There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. The 2020
Employee Satisfaction Survey Results and Comments had been distributed to
board members prior to the meeting for review. Ms. Ann Bristoll summarized the
results and action plans moving forward. Let the record reflect, Dr. Heinzmann left
the virtual meeting at 12:25 p.m. but quickly returned by 12:27 p.m. The Executive
Director Annual Performance Review Process had been distributed to board
members prior to the meeting for review. In an effort to ensure strategic alignment
between the board and Executive Director, Ms. Ringer requested the development
of an annual review process. The attached review tool was discussed. Ms. Ringer
agreed to make recommended changes and present at the next board meeting. The board will continue to discuss and finalize a process and implement in 2022.
Mr. Peterson requested an Executive Session to discuss litigation with the State
Personnel Board of Review. Dr. Heinzmann motioned to enter Executive Session,
including Ms. Ringer and Mr. Downes. Ms. Bryant-Messenger seconded the
motion. Roll Call was taken as follows: John Peterson, yea; Ellen Bryant-
Messenger, yea; Dr. Henry Heinzmann, yea; and Jolene Carter, yea. Executive
Session commenced at 12:49 p.m. Mr. Peterson requested a motion. Dr.
Heinzmann motioned to exit Executive Session. Ms. Carter seconded the motion.
Roll Call was taken as follows: John Peterson, yea; Ellen Bryant-Messenger, yea;
Dr. Henry Heinzmann, yea; and Jolene Carter, yea. Executive Session ended at
1:07 p.m. Mr. Peterson requested a motion. Ms. Bryant-Messenger motioned to
approve the parameters of mediation as discussed. Ms. Carter 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 April 16 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 1:10 p.m.