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Kinship Care: the Thread that Keeps Children Safely Connected to Family

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When a child can no longer safely remain at home with their parents, Franklin County Children Services first looks to kinship care. Caseworkers seek out grandparents, relatives, or trusted family friends who already know the child to help them maintain important relationships and connections during a time of major transition and trauma.  For caregiver Elmira Rash-Davis, stepping up for her family has been natural. She has cared for grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other young relatives whenever help was needed, including times when safety or neglect concerns brought FCCS into the picture. She knows the importance of offering a familiar face and a stable routine during those moments of uncertainty: “Every Sunday, bookbags are lined up by the door… Breakfast starts at 5:45 a.m.… Clothes are set out for the week, homework is reviewed… and bikes are tucked away before bedtime.”  Organization keeps the household moving, Ms. Rash-Davis shared, but she believes it also offers the ...
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FCCS Ted E Bear Wants Little Ghouls to Shine Bright this Halloween

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Ted E. Bear wants children in Franklin County to be SAFE and SEEN for Halloween.  As trick-or-treat night approaches, our FCCS mascot Ted E. Bear -  the bear who cares about keeping children safer - has some practical safety tips for parents and caregivers to keep kids protected, visible, and happy this spooky season. The costumes, the treats, and the neighborhood walks all create memories that last a lifetime. "Staying safe doesn't mean skipping the fun," says Ted E. Bear. "It just means planning ahead so kids can be easily seen and protected while they collect their goodies!" To keep Beggars’ Night filled with treats rather than tricks, Ted E. Bear has put together a handy guide to help parents and caregivers keep their little monsters secure and highly visible while out in the neighborhood. Be Bright, Be Seen Add reflective tape: Attach reflective strips to the front and back of your child’s costume and trick-or-treat bags. Carry light sources: Give every ch...
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Reflection Room: Team FCCS Talks Mental Health, Connection, and Suicide Prevention

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“Sometimes the person who needs support is a family member. Sometimes it is a coworker. Sometimes, if we are honest, it is us.”  This message, shared with members of Team FCCS, shaped September’s Reflection Room, which recognized National Suicide Prevention Month by offering practical ways to encourage those who are struggling to seek help, including when that person is us.  “People need people,” said Alyx Gold, a local recovery advocate whose personal experiences with grief, addiction and a mental health crisis shaped her work and advocacy. Ms. Gold joined Jenna Riggs, a mental health professional, and Rachel Pickett, a community advocate, for a candid conversation about connection, resilience and the importance of supporting one another.  Sometimes, It Starts with Noticing  Struggling is not always visible. “Poor mental health also wears lipstick. It does not matter how good you look. You can still be struggling,” said Ms. Pickett.  She explained that coworker...
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Team FCCS Employee Reception: Celebrating our Call to Action Awardees and Nominees

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A new tradition during the Team FCCS Employee Reception is celebrating our Calls to Action awardees, recognizing staff whose work over the past year best exemplify our agency's priorities... from Protecting the Whole Child and Strengthening All Families to Valuing our Team Culture and Engaging our Community Authentically. Leading up to the 2026 Team FCCS Employee Reception, there were more nominations made by staff than last year, so there are even more winners, as selected by our agency's Executive Council.  As you'll read below, every awardee and nomination is impressive. WINNER: Stefanie Miller - Program Services/ West Region  Nominated by Meghan Stokes: "Stefanie’s work on this complex triple‑companion case exemplifies FCCS’s Call to Action 1: Protecting the Whole Child. Faced with a minor mother, an adult sibling with young children, and an infant with extensive medical needs, Stefanie navigated concerns spanning substance use, mental health, delinquency, medical ...
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Safe & Seen: Helping Your Kids Shine Bright on the Walk to School

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As the summer sun sets a little earlier and the morning alarms start ringing, families across the community are gearing up for another exciting school year. While you are busy checking off supply lists and packing lunches, Franklin County Children Services wants to remind you of the most important back-to-school essential: keeping our kids safe and visible. With many students heading out the door in the early morning hours, the commute often begins in the twilight or complete darkness. To help your children stay "Safe & Seen" this school year, we have compiled a practical guide filled with essential pedestrian safety tips for your family’s daily routine. Dress to Stand Out (Be Seen!) Dark mornings require bright choices. Drivers often struggle to see small pedestrians in low-light conditions, making visibility your child's best defense. Choose bright clothing: Opt for neon, white, or light-colored jackets and hoodies instead of dark blues, blacks, or grays. Add refle...
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2026 Team FCCS Employee Reception Honors Years of Service, Dedication to Children and Families

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More than 120 members of Team FCCS will be honored at the 2026 Team FCCS Employee Reception. Will you be one of them? The annual event celebrates staff's years of service and dedication to helping keep kids safer and making families stronger for longer. Six employees will be honored for their 35-year anniversary, another five will celebrate 30 years. We will also recognize staff who graduated this past year with advanced degrees and the winners of our annual Call to Action Awards.  Everyone at the agency is invited to attend the Team FCCS Employee Reception at the Columbus Museum of Art, starting at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 10. In addition to exploring the musuem, staff can stay and enjoy the museum's Thursday BAM (Bar, Art & Music) with a live DJ and entertainment. Below is a list of the winners of our Call to Action Awards: CALL TO ACTON 1: Protecting the Whole Child Stefanie Miller / Ongoing Services/West Region  Avery Winston / Ongoing Services/East Region CALL...
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Team FCCS Peer Support: 3 Simple Questions to Support a Coworker

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Every day, members of Team FCCS pour incredible energy, empathy, and resilience into their work - no matter their role or job title - to support children, their families, our community, and each other. Because this work can be deeply impactful and emotionally demanding, looking out for one another is an essential part of keeping our team strong. We all experience days when the workload feels exceptionally heavy or an unexpected challenge throws off our rhythm. If you notice a colleague sitting at their desk looking overwhelmed, taking a heavy sigh, or seeming uncharacteristically quiet, reaching out can make a world of difference. Our FCCS Peer Support team has three supportive, low-pressure questions you can ask a coworker to show you have their back: 1. "How can I help lighten your load right now?" When someone is overwhelmed, a vague "Let me know if you need anything" forces them to do the mental work of finding a task for you. By asking how you can actively ligh...
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