News from Franklin County Children Services

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 ...

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...

“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...

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 ...