By Cassandra Holtzmann
Crawford County Job and Family Services Interim Director
Crawford County Children Services has a tall order ahead of us with the growing demands on Child Protection Services. Alcohol, drugs and untreated mental health issues have always been a factor in child abuse and neglect cases. The heroin epidemic that is sweeping through our country continues to grow exponentially. Drug abuse, addiction, criminal behavior, poverty, and overdose. Words we have all become familiar with. What is left after all of this? The unidentified victims that child protective services rescues in the wake of trauma and despair.
The cycle of abuse and neglect continues from one generation to another. The challenge is to find a way to break this cycle. A community that encourages the growth of healthy and strong children will nurture the growth of the next generation. Child Protective Services throughout the state of Ohio has been strained for years. The system is laden with a myriad of grossly underfunded state mandates. Ohio ranks 50th in the nation for state support of child protective services. Crawford County citizens have contributed financial support through a small half-mill which generates roughly $180,000 annually. We are thankful for this support and have not requested an increase in 25 years.
While we continue to pressure the state to increase state support of the child protection system, it is up to the local taxpayers to protect, heal and nurture children in their communities. Children always do better living at home with a loving family. But we know that sometimes that is not possible. We are genuinely thankful for our 13 local foster families. However, with 53 children in custody, this doesn’t’ meet the need. Half of our children are in the costly placements outside of Crawford County away from their friends, family and school.
We must concentrate our efforts in this community. Some strategies include supporting kin and foster families who provide homes for children in need, building a solid community foster care network, and establishing a solid respite system to offer rest to those in these caring roles. Hands-on guidance to youth transitioning from foster care into adulthood is critical. Preparing parents before children transition home from detention facilities and working with community service providers to serve high risk, high cost multi-needs children is essential to the development of a stronger generation.
Addressing practical cost savings measures is a key component. Significant savings can be achieved through community collaboration, improved workflow processes, keeping children closer to home to reduce travel time, and reducing mileage expenses through the diligent use and maintenance of county vehicles.
As of March 31, 2017 there are 53 children in our custody, all of whom were placed with the agency through Crawford County Juvenile Court. The agency has no legal right to simply remove a child from his or her home. It must work with and gain the approval of the juvenile court when substitute care is appropriate. Due to the great trauma to children, the agency strives to work with families to prevent the removal of children from their homes. As a result, the agency currently maintains a caseload of 94 children in addition to those in custody. These children are under protective supervision orders.
Our agency is operated by the Department of Job and Family Services. This quadruple combined agency houses Child & Adult Protective Services, Public Assistance, Child Support and Ohio Means Jobs Crawford. This allows four departments to share one director, administrative functions and building expenses. Great work is being done for local children and families every day. If you would like a tour of the agency, give us a call and we’ll be glad to show you around. Please go to the polls for Crawford County’s kids!
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Gary Ogle – News Director