Coordinación, Seguimiento y Evaluación del PIA 120.000
12. Sostenibilidad del Programa
For each of the above mentioned items, this section provides a summary of current policy and practice in the state of Ohio, changes in performance or practice since Ohio’s 2002 CFSR, measures of effectiveness, strengths and barriers, and promising approaches. Data for this report was collected through a variety of sources that include: comprehensive online survey, written survey and first-hand discussion with PCSA directors, foster parent surveys, statewide CQI results, and Supreme Court of Ohio and ODJFS documents.
Within Ohio’s state-supervised and county-administered child welfare system, there is local flexibility to adapt practices to meet specific community needs within an established state framework. In organizing the data for this section, the impact of this state-county structure was readily apparent. One of the most revealing sources of data was the Ohio Statewide Assessment Survey. Over 400 stakeholders responded to this comprehensive online survey, which was developed to gather stakeholder input on all four court-related CFSR items. The survey was widely distributed to child protection agencies, juvenile courts, Ohio CASA/GAL, defense counsel, prosecutors and agency attorneys, parents, caregivers, foster parents and pre-adoptive parents throughout the state. Survey respondents could provide identifying information for subsequent follow-up or opt to remain anonymous.
A summary of the data collected through the Ohio Statewide Assessment Survey is available at http://www.law.capital.edu/adoption/ocplri/SurveySummary_01212008.pdf.
The purpose of this survey was to provide qualitative context, rather than definitive outcomes data. The results of the survey illuminate specific areas for future follow-up and examination. Survey responses were very instructive about differing perceptions of practice among various child welfare stakeholders as well as similarities and differences in practice among counties. Some of the data gathered through this survey reflects county trends, rather than statewide trends. In order to accurately capture and characterize the data, this report is organized to reflect statewide policy and practice along with featured
“local snapshots” to help illustrate county-specific trends, challenges and innovative practices.
Court – Agency Collaboration in Ohio
ODJFS and the Supreme Court of Ohio have prioritized improving the interaction between child welfare and judicial systems on behalf of the children and families they mutually serve. This is evidenced by a series of collaborative initiatives, jointly administered by ODJFS and the Supreme Court of Ohio, that have resulted in notable changes in policy and practice since Ohio’s first CFSR in 2002. A brief overview of these initiatives provides essential context for understanding Ohio’s progress on the four court-related CFSR items outlined in this section.
Advisory Committee on Children, Families and the Courts: Chief Justice Thomas Moyer has established this standing committee, comprised of judges, magistrates, and various professionals who specialize in child and family issues, to make recommendations on court reform matters related to family law. The Advisory Committee currently has three subcommittees focused on child welfare system reform:
1. Subcommittee on Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect 2. Subcommittee on Rules and Statutes
3. Subcommittee on Legal Representation
Beyond the Numbers Regional Stakeholder Meetings: In 2005 and 2006, the Supreme Court of Ohio convened a series of Regional Stakeholder Meetings in seven districts throughout Ohio. These sessions provided a forum for local judges and PCSA directors to discuss common goals, learn more about local data and the findings of Ohio’s first CFSR, and begin to identify systemic factors that could be improved through an action plan.
Dependency Docket Caseflow Management Training: Building on the work begun in the Beyond the Numbers Regional Stakeholder Meetings, this initiative promotes collaboration at the local level between courts, child protection agencies, and other stakeholders to improve local practice and
compliance with federal requirements. This 11/2 day program is customized to address the issues facing local communities. Through a series of facilitated exercises, participants work in county teams to analyze current practice and design data-driven systemic improvements to be implemented locally.
To date, 81 of Ohio’s 88 counties have voluntarily attended the Beyond the Numbers Regional Stakeholder Meetings and/or Caseflow Management training opportunities. Many judges and PCSA directors have continued to convene local team meetings following this initial training to further the collaborative work begun in these sessions.
Judicial Training and Cross Training: The Ohio Judicial College has designated a Family Law Specialist to develop training programs and curricula to improve judicial intervention in family matters.
The Family Law Specialist works with judicial representatives and ODJFS in course development and to identify ongoing training needs. An additional Family Law Specialist develops family law educational programming for non-judicial court personnel such as court administrators, probation officers, clerks, and mediators.
Data Collection: The Supreme Court of Ohio and ODJFS support ongoing efforts to ensure that Ohio’s juvenile courts and public child welfare agencies have available and share timely information on the children and families that come to the attention of the juvenile court because of child welfare matters.
Model Courts: Three juvenile courts in the state have been designated by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges as “Model Courts”- Hamilton, Lucas, and Cuyahoga counties.
These courts are offered technical assistance and financial support to improve the processing of child protection cases. Some improvements made to date include expanded use of mediation, an attorney mentor program, innovative uses of technology, and expanded court services, including the establishment of a Family Drug Court. The Supreme Court of Ohio and ODJFS work closely with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges to assist interested Ohio courts in becoming Council-supported “Model Courts.”
Unified Family Courts and Family Drug Courts: All courts applying to the Supreme Court of Ohio for additional judgeships are being asked to consider the concept of a “Family Judgeship” in their application. The Supreme Court of Ohio, ODJFS, and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services offer technical assistance, on-site training and help with identifying available resources to communities interested in establishing a Family Drug Court. With 17 Family Drug Courts, Ohio has been recognized as a national leader in implementing this exciting option for working with substance addicted parents.
Cross Disciplinary Communication: The Supreme Court of Ohio and ODJFS produce a quarterly bulletin on family law issues that is distributed to all Ohio common pleas judges, magistrates, and court administrators; PCSA directors; and other relevant agencies.
The Supreme Court of Ohio and ODJFS also work together to develop documents, such as the Ohio Dependency Docket Bench Cards (available at
http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/publications/JCS/benchcards/), which assist judicial officers in their duty to provide comprehensive and timely judicial action in child welfare cases and promote best practices. In the spring of 2006, the Supreme Court of Ohio distributed Dependency Docket Bench Cards to every juvenile judge and magistrate in Ohio. The cards’ design follows a case from the initial entry to closing. Each stage of the proceedings has a laminated bench guide that provides best practice pointers, statutory notes, and identifies language that is either statutorily or fiscally required in the entry.
Ohio CASA/GAL Collaboration: The Ohio CASA/GAL Association provides leadership for the 40 local CASA/GAL programs currently operating in Ohio. The Supreme Court of Ohio provides representation on the Association’s Board of Directors and ODJFS partially funds a training program for CASA/GAL volunteers, staff and other stakeholders. The Association is in year three of providing ODJFS supported training entitled “In the Interest of Children: Developing a Working Protocol between CASA/GAL Programs and Public Children Services Agencies”. The Court and ODJFS
support the Association’s focus on training, certification of local programs, and statewide implementation of program standards.
Summit on Children: In May 2008, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio and the Governor of Ohio convened a Summit on Children. This two day event established a forum for community leaders to collaborate and create an agreement to design an action plan to enhance the safety, well being, and permanent home environments for children. The Summit built on local collaborative efforts begun through Beyond the Numbers.
Child Protection Mediation Programs: Ohio has been a national leader in developing child protection mediation programs that offer a less adversarial approach to the resolution of abuse, neglect and dependency cases. Currently, there are five child protection mediation programs in Ohio courts, and the Court Improvement Program (CIP) grant plan is to increase this number by three programs per year for the next five years.
Alternative Response: Based on recommendations of the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Subcommittee on Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect, ODJFS and the Supreme Court have implemented a plan to pilot an alternative response child protection model in ten counties. Intensive design and preparation for the pilot is underway, and each of the ten counties involved will begin using the new alternative response system July 1, 2008. The pilot will include a rigorous evaluation process that will measure outcomes related to child safety and well-being, family and worker satisfaction, fiscal impact and potential impact on CFSR outcomes and judicial system outcomes.It should be noted the Ohio court system is state supervised and locally administered. As a result, the method that courts use in monitoring hearings and reviews varies depending on the local case management system. Courts do not report hearing specific information to the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Courts are required to report new case filings and case dispositions to the Supreme Court on a monthly basis. Additionally courts are required to report cases beyond Supreme Court time guidelines. The time guidelines measure the time from court filing to disposition.