News from Franklin County Children Services

With Ohio’s new State Budget set to make historic investments in children services – including nearly $23 million for Franklin County Children Services over the next two years through the State Child Protection Allocation – child welfare advocates across the state will be watching how these new dollars and new rules help address new challenges that agencies like ours are facing. “Since Governor DeWine took office in January 2019, the dollars budgeted for the State Child Protection Allocation - which is used by county agencies to assist in supporting child welfare functions, supports, and services to their children and families - have drastically increased,” shared Dan Shook, our Chief Financial Officer. “Prior to his 2020 budget, this allocation was equal to about $64 million statewide.” Mr. Shook calculates that the current budget has raised the annual State Child Protection Allocation to more than $185 million in 2027. Of this total, FCCS receives approximately 6.5%. That means FCCS ...

Heralding the value of community, Franklin County Children Services has a renewed focus on re-investing tax dollars into businesses based in Franklin County and services provided by those organizations whose leaders are more reflective of the children and families we serve. All THAT (Teens Hopeful About Tomorrow) is one such enterprise with which FCCS has actively collaborated… and with impressive results.  Started by U.S. Army veteran Danella Hicks in 2009, All THAT provides academic assistance, career exposure, and life skills training to teens ages 13-19. This bustling nonprofit on Columbus’s far east side has a staff of 20 employees, 14 of whom are trained mentors and certified tutors.  All THAT’s daily mission is breaking down barriers - letting teens who might be disadvantaged or disengaged know that they have ample promise, potential, and opportunity, Ms. Hicks says.  Located at the corner of E. Livingston Avenue and Elaine Road, this flourishing neighborhood organ...

Each year, Franklin County Children Services is relied upon to help more than 26,000 children and their families through prevention, protection, placement, and permanency programs, offering services and supports to keep children safe and families together. And in 2024 - four years into the historic impacts on child welfare exposed by the COVID pandemic - Franklin County Children Services is positioned to further evolve how this agency truly keeps children safer and makes families stronger for longer. Think how different our lives, our agency, and our world feels from just four years ago. Think about how family structures have changed, and how the challenges that all parents face seem far different and much more complicated.  Add in the mental health crisis gripping so many of our young people… the stressors of violence and guns in our neighborhoods… the uncertainties of our economy and workforce… and the child welfare safety net stretched thin, trying to keep young people from...