News from Franklin County Children Services

Learning about college courses, scholarships, and top-paying careers connected to video gaming – and having a lot of fun too – teens in the mentoring program at Franklin County Children Services spent a special day inside The Ohio State University’s Esports Arena.  “This hands-on day helped me in ways I didn’t expect,” said Lonnie Thompson, a member of the Simba Mentoring Program and one of 14 teens who were able to play games side-by-side and learn of the opportunities esports offers in college. "Something they do on a regular basis can lead to so much more,” said FCCS Associate Director of Child Enrichment and Volunteers Daryle Cobb.  Around 85% of U.S. teenagers game regularly, according to the Pew Research Center. Esports programs at universities like Ohio State offer scholarships for students to compete and play games against other colleges.  A collaboration with The Ohio State University and the Ubuntu Leadership Academy, which helps to create opportunities for stud...

Over the past twelve months, more than 180 children and teens in the care of Franklin County Children Services found safe, permanent placement with grandparents, relatives, or family friends… and FCCS celebrated these new “forever families” with its second annual Forever Family Fun Day. “We understand the responsibility and the amount of love and care that someone has to take on that commitment and to raise a child that is not their own,” said Sid Daniels, Associate Director of Kinship.   The work of the FCCS Kinship team to support these placements is part of the more than 300 total “forever families” for children in agency care finalized either through adoption or permanent kinship placement in 2025, according to Mr. Daniels. “We want to honor that,” he added. “We also want to make sure it’s fun.”  This year’s Forever Family Fun Day was held at Skate Zone 71 in late December, offering families connected to the Kinship and Adoption programs a free morning of skating and ...

For more than 50 years, the week leading up to Thanksgiving has been proclaimed National Family Week, a time to celebrate how our community can work together to make families stronger for longer, which is one of the best ways to keep children safer.  Joined by St. Stephen’s, Gladden, and Central Community Houses, Franklin County Children Services celebrated five families who participated in the Family-to-Family program and used the supportive services offered to overcome obstacles and achieve success. And the stories of their achievements - and of those caseworkers and community partners who supported them along their journeys - were powerful to hear. “Indica’s perseverance paid off through a combination of hard work, a few helping hands in the community, and the support of an organization that refused to let her fall through the cracks,” shared Marcellus Harris, caseworker at St. Stephens Community House, who help this mother and her children secure housing and stay employed durin...

While our agency has a wide array of service providers ready to help the children and families who come into our care, it can be tough for even the most-seasoned caseworker to remember all of the organizations and providers FCCS has contracts and contacts with.  So a collaborative effort between the Provider Services and the Evaluations teams has resulted in a searchable directory to make it easier to find what families need. “We are very resource rich,” said Jennifer Andria, Associate Director of our Placement & Provider Services team. “It’s always been a struggle to keep track of what’s going on in the community.’  The Community Provider Directory allows caseworkers to take full advantage of those resources by having them all in one place to access. “It’s a one stop shop to see what’s out in the community,” added Ms. Andria.   The portal includes a listing of more than 200 service providers that are contracted with FCCS as well as other community-based provider...

To help more children in foster care find permanency in their placement, Franklin County Children Services is providing access to more supports and long-term financial resources to families willing to commit to adoption. “I think support is very important for families,” stressed Raquel Breckenridge, Family Services Director for Permanency at FCCS. Over the past year, her Adoptions team has connected 123 children previously in the agency’s care with “forever families.” November is National Adoption Month, an opportunity to increase awareness and support for children in the foster care system who are waiting for permanent, loving families. “Over the years, we have seen an increase in permanency achieved through kinship adoptions,” pointed out Ms. Breckenridge. She adds that grandparents, aunts and uncles, other relatives and family friends often start out caring for children who can no longer safely remain in the custody of their parents. To help these kinship caregivers take the next st...

Hoping to learn more from the lived experiences of the youth we serve - along with our staff and community partners who work closest with them - Franklin County Children Services is teaming up with Partnership 4 Success (P4S) to pilot a new Developmental Relationships Survey. Simply put, this DR Survey is designed to measure the collective impact our system is having in supporting the “whole” needs of children and teens in our care. “I’m excited for us to use the Developmental Relationship Survey because it shines a light on the heart of our work: the relationships we build everyday with children and families,” shared Emily Green, our Family Services Director for Screening, Intake, Ongoing, and Provider Services.  Developmental Relationships are the close connections we create with others which help to shape our lives and teach us to engage with and contribute to the world around us. The national Search Institute has identified 5 elements that make relationships impactful, includin...

CLICK TO HEAR DR. HOUSTON BECK'S ADVICE ON HELPING CHILDREN MOVE FROM TRAUMA TO RECOVERY Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Maria Houston Beck serves as the Executive Director of LSS CHOICES, the only emergency shelter for domestic violence victims in Franklin County.  It’s the work she has dreamed about since high school.  “I was 16 and a student athlete. I had a teacher who kept a couch in the back of his room and during track season, I would take a quick nap before our meets,” she says. “One day he was showing a video about Sigmund Freud in his Introduction to Psychology class. I couldn’t stop watching it. I was so intrigued that I went home and talked to my family about it. I learned that I had several family members who suffered from mental illness. From that moment on, I never looked back.” Dr. Houston Beck spent several years counseling youth and families exposed to trauma and consulted with a domestic violence center prior to joining Lutheran Social Services and CHOICE...

In a bold move aimed at preventing overdose deaths and the trauma on children who experience losing a loved one to drug addiction, Franklin County Children Services (FCCS) is teaming with Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) to equip the agency’s caseworkers and staff with the opioid overdose-reversing drug naloxone.  After completing training provided by experts from FCPH, FCCS caseworkers will be given a supply of Narcan nasal spray to carry with them when out in the community to meet with families. Doses of Narcan will also be stationed at the front desks of the agency’s office buildings. “Despite the progress that’s been made in reducing overdose deaths, far too many residents in Franklin County are still losing their lives… which means far too many of their children are also losing their sense of safety, stability, and care,” said FCCS Executive Director Chip Spinning.  “Franklin County Children Services joins the growing number of public children service agencies in...

CLICK TO HEAR MORE OF TIFFANY'S POWERFUL STORY AND HER TIPS FOR SURVIVING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE Abuse hurts everyone in the family.  “I remember the counselor telling me that my children were very resilient,” says  Tiffany, a mother of four and a survivor of intimate partner violence. She “won’t sugarcoat” the reality that leaving an abusive spouse is easy. She endured hard times, struggling to pay bills while anxious and afraid that her children would not find a way through the emotional trauma.  Fortunately, she says, “the tough times didn’t last long and, in the end, it was worth it. We made it.” While Tiffany courageously shares her story because she wants to encourage others to be safe, we’re honoring her request to not use her full name to protect her privacy.  Tiffany’s story sadly echoes that of many others. One in four women will face a domestic violence situation over their lifetime and are often caught in a cycle of violence with a partner that can las...

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...

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...

CLICK TO HEAR MORE TIPS FROM TOSHIA SAFFORD AT THE CENTER FOR HEALTHY FAMILIES As CEO of the Center for Healthy Families, Toshia Safford has earned a reputation throughout Central Ohio for excellence in successfully supporting and coaching parents and teens.  Yet, even with her extensive professional and personal experience, Ms. Safford notes that young people today face challenges that she couldn’t fathom growing up, or even as she raised her own daughter. "There are moments when our teens say something and I just hear, ‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,’” Ms. Safford says with a laugh. “I just have to say to them, ‘hey, I’m not quite following you. Give me a moment and let me sit with it.’” Learning to accept and stay calm when teens are upset or anxious can serve parents well. Ms. Safford notes that often adolescents don’t necessarily want a caregiver to tell them all the answers. They simply hope an adult will listen and tell them that they are still okay, no matter how t...

From spending time talking with students on the campus of Ohio's only public HBCU to connecting virtually with more than 100 Hispanic serving higher education institutions across the country, Franklin County Children Services is recruiting top talent - especially caseworkers and social workers - who reflect the community we serve. “When you bring in staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences, you bring in a wealth of knowledge from our community,” said FCCS Human Capital Management Analyst Melissa Cetnar. “Franklin County is always changing and it’s important to have staff who can understand and relate to different experiences,” she added, spotlighting the need to have caseworkers and support staff who have the same cultural experiences or speak the same languages as the families we support. At the end of 2024, the Human Resources team reported that 53% of FCCS staff identified as White/Caucasian, 41% as Black/African American, 1.3% as Hispanic, and 1.3% as Asian. Human...

Supporting the mental health needs of children and teens while they await safe placement, Franklin County Children Services partners with the National Youth Advocacy Program (NYAP) to have trained mental health clinicians on stand-by 24 hours a day to de-escalate youth behavioral crisis, complete pre-placement assessments, and engage youth experiencing the trauma of removal. -- Every thirty minutes, clinicians like Misty Coleman and Mercedes Harris make their rounds at Children Services’ Intake and Assessment Center to connect with youth who have come into the building. They’ll talk with each one, asking about their needs: a shower, something to play with, maybe a snack, or just someone to listen. “We work hard to start building rapport and trust,” said Ms. Harris, a Clinical Supervisor.  “And we use music, TV, puzzles, and games to engage them,” added Ms. Coleman, the Program Manager of Emergency Stabilization Care. They are part of a team of dedicated mental health clinicians fro...

CLICK HERE TO HEAR MORE TIPS ABOUT SETTING HEALHTY BOUNDARIES FROM ALL THAT'S DANELLA HICKS “I taught Sunday Schools for years, and what I realized was that my babies couldn’t read, they didn’t know what to do after they graduated, and they had lots of hurdles,” explains Danella Hicks.  This realization inspired her more than 15 years ago to start All THAT - Teens Hopeful About Tomorrow - a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring, encouraging, and supporting young people so they can succeed in school and in life.  Ms. Hicks knows all too well the odds stacked against her youth, noting that without this program, “our teens would probably end up either in the cemetery or jail.”  She mixes love and compassion with a dose of rules and expectations about commitment, attendance, and attitude, even insisting on a “no cell phone zone” when teens are engaged in programming. Teens are paid a bi-weekly stipend if they actively engage and show a positive attitude. Franklin County Children S...

Many seniors and older adults in Franklin County are stepping up to become primary caregivers for their grandchildren or other young relatives, caring for some of the 2.7 million children nationwide who are being raised by older family members. And with the passage of the 2024 Franklin County Children Services Levy, more of those kinship caregivers are receiving an extra helping hand to cover some of the unexpected costs of caring for the children they love. “When we support caregivers, we strengthen our community and ensure that both the young and old can thrive together,” said Chanda Wingo, Director of the Franklin County Office on Aging.   This year, FCCS is doubling the amount of funding provided to the Office on Aging’s Kinship Incentive Program, now up to $600,000 each year, which should assist as many as 300 children each year. “Children Services understood the needs and recognized that if support was not provided to kinship families, the children were at risk of placem...

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE TIPS FROM CHRIS VINEIS AT UNITE FOR SAFE SOCIAL MEDIA Social media platforms can lead to positive connections and learning experiences for young people. But, as pointed out by CEO and founder of Unite for Safe Social Media Chris Vineis, parents need to monitor and set rules for how often, how long, and where teens go online. And most important, don't dismiss the dangers of cyberbullying and sextortion by thinking they can't happen to your teen. Both are very real. Jon Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation says teens spend an average of 6-8 hours on screen-based leisure activities, with at least five hours a day on their favorite social media sites. Other studies suggest it's closer to seven.  With that in mind, there’s little doubt that adolescents are more preoccupied with TikTok and YouTube than homework, as Gallup found in a survey last year. “This type of obsessive behavior increases risks for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm and eve...

You can see it in the pictures: mentor Jarrett Rardon and his 7-year-old mentee Zidane were instant friends when they first met.  Connected through Franklin County Children Services’ new 60 for Six mentoring program last summer, the two hit it off from the start and have already built a special bond. And during National Mentoring Month in January, the agency is hoping to replicate more of these important mentoring relationships. Zidane is an exuberant second grader who lives with his grandma. He sees Rardon as a cherished friend: “He feels like someone that I have known for a long time.” he says.  In just a few months, the two pals have enjoyed music lessons together, carved pumpkins, and gone fishing. Zidane even caught his very first fish last summer, a bluegill. “It was so cool.” As for Mr. Rardon, who works as a research coordinator at Nationwide Children’s, becoming a mentor was especially important to him. Because of his own time spent in foster care in early adolescence...