News from Franklin County Children Services

Focused on helping mothers recover from drug addiction while staying safely connected to their children, Franklin County Children Services is partnering with Volunteers of America on Ohio’s first family-focused residential treatment program that allows moms and children to remain together during treatment. The Fresh Start Family-Focused Recovery Program serves pregnant women and mothers actively struggling with addiction, giving them an opportunity to get clean while pregnant, stay with their children as they recover, and maintain custody of their children while in recovery. “We really do want to be an alternative to out of home placement,” shared Jennifer Martinez, Vice President of Behavioral Health Operations for Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana, which celebrated the ribbon-cutting on its new facility earlier this year and expects to have its first residents in late summer.  She points to the trauma-informed, evidence-based clinical services provided in the program by li...

Recognizing that each young person who enters the child welfare system is unique, caseworkers at Franklin County Children Services also know it’s important to connect teenagers in agency care with the services and supports that will benefit them most. This is particularly important for supporting teens who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, or other sexual orientations and gender identities.  Meet Jazi, a 19-year-old, who entered foster care through FCCS at the age of two and craved support that affirmed her identity throughout her childhood.  To better support youth like Jazi, FCCS launched a pilot initiative to have caseworkers to ask teenagers on their caseloads questions about the sexual orientation (who they are attracted to), gender identity (how they feel inside), and expression (how they show the world who they are) during the assessment process. Teens are welcome to not answer if they don't feel comfortable or want to talk about these topics. ...

Click here to watch Bethany’s speech at the 2025 FCCS Child Abuse Prevention Breakfast “My journey has been filled with trials, triumphs, setbacks, and breakthroughs, but through it all, I have learned that our past does not define us. What defines us is how we rise.”  With these powerful words coming from her heart, Bethany Workman - a training officer in the FCCS Professional Development Department - spoke about her experience as a youth in foster care and how, as a teenager in 2005, she was recognized with the agency’s Rising Up and Moving On Award. And in a true full circle moment, she was on stage at this year’s FCCS Child Abuse Prevention Breakfast to help recognize two young women as the 2025 Rising Up and Moving On honorees. This award is presented annually to deserving teenagers in our agency's care and emancipated youth who have successfully overcome obstacles and barriers which most children their ages don't have to face. “Moving on doesn’t mean leaving behind those ...

Having a safe place to sleep is essential to a child’s health and ability to thrive. That’s why Franklin County Children Services is partnering with local businesses and non-profits to provide cribs, beds, baby clothes, and more to families who might need support. FCCS Caseworker Sophia Billerman recalls working with one family whose two children were sleeping on a mattress on the floor.  She recalls the family’s excitement when a new bed, box springs, and frame were provided. “The dad laughed and told me it took a couple of weeks for the kids to get used to sleeping on a bed because it was so high off of the floor.” The Franklin County Children Services Board recently approved investing as much as $77,000 over the next year with local family-owned retailer Mack Mattress to provide cribs, mattresses, bed frames, bunk beds, and dressers to families who come into agency care. A similar arrangement with partners at Furniture Bank of Central Ohio is also available to provide bedroom fu...

Truly keeping children and teenagers in Central Ohio safer requires our entire community coming together, speaking out, and uniting in a mission to make all families stronger. This April, The Center for Healthy Families and Franklin County Children’s Services (FCCS) join together once again to recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month and to call on our partners and local leaders throughout the region to learn, advocate, and act to prevent child abuse. More than a spotlight on the number of children impacted by abuse and neglect, this yearly observance seeks to increase awareness on the importance of supportive families and communities in safeguarding children's well-being. We know that addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that prioritizes the safety of the whole child, considers their unique individual needs and trauma, and acknowledges the broader community impact.  In 2024, there were 28,243 calls and referrals made to the Franklin County Child Abuse H...

Find Your Future! Franklin County Children Services linked nearly 100 teenagers connected to our agency with college staff, job recruiters, and trade school/labor representatives at the 2025 FCCS Career Day. “We want to help young people make informed decisions about their future,” said Chuck Cochran, who manages the College-Bound Mentoring Program and has co-coordinated Career Day for the past five years. “Career Day gives them critical information.” The agency’s West Mound Street location was a buzz of activity, with more than two dozen business, colleges, and organizations coming together for the Saturday event, which was one of the most-attended Career Days according to Mr. Cochran. Representatives from colleges and universities included The Ohio State University, Central State University, Otterbein University, Mt. Carmel School of Nursing, and Columbus State Community College.  Staff from trade schools and apprentice programs included the Paul Mitchell School of Columbus, Equi...