Public News Service

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine compares the situation in Springfield to a natural disaster, suggesting the federal government provide assistance to help communities handle large surges in migrant populations. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio leaders clash over migrant influx, persistent rumors

Tensions are rising in Springfield, Ohio, as controversial claims from Sen. J.D. Vance about migrants in the area have garnered national attention…

The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals child poverty in America increased slightly in 2023. (Karen Roach/Adobe Stock)

Stalled Child Tax Credit leaves Ohio families in limbo

During this week's presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris proposed reviving the Child Tax Credit, which was part of the American Rescue …

In 2022, 42.4% of full-time undergraduate students worked while enrolled to cover their costs, reflecting the growing challenge of affording higher education. (William W. Potter/Adobe Stock)

Ohio universities see tuition spike, enrollment decline

By John Hilber / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. In the last 21 years…

Ohio House Bill 458 limits who can deliver absentee ballots to the voter, postal workers or specific close relatives, excluding caregivers and non-relatives. (PhotoSpirit/Adobe Stock)

Controversy erupts over Ohio's proposed drop-box ban

As Ohio gears up for the upcoming election, debates over new voting regulations are heating up. The recent proposal by Secretary of State Frank …

Ohio public schools have about 100,000 teachers, averaging 16 students per teacher and 220,000 non-teaching staff, averaging seven students per non-teaching position, with nearly all teachers holding a bachelor's degree or higher. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

The quiet preparation: Ohio teachers before the first bell

As Ohio students head back to school, many parents may think the return to the classroom begins when the first bell rings but for educators, the …

Based on input from 162 caseworkers and 85 families, respecting, listening, and being vulnerable were the most important caseworker behaviors in the PACT Behavioral Research Project. (D Lahoud/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Building bridges: How PACT is redefining child welfare through relationships

The Public Children's Services Association of Ohio has launched a groundbreaking new initiative called Practice in Action Together, aimed at …

According to more than 1,000 parents surveyed nationally, the top challenges in forming classroom connections are: Too much time with technology (50%), bullying (30%) and the social effects of the pandemic (22%). (I/Adobe Stock)

Building belonging: Prioritizing mental health in Ohio schools

As Ohio students prepare for the new school year, mental health experts are highlighting the importance of belonging in the classroom. A national …

Rather than seeking help, men are more likely to externalize emotions, which leads to aggressive, impulsive, coercive and/or noncompliant behavior, according to a study by the American Psychological Association. (Adobe Stock)

OH advocates seek to change attitudes about men's mental health

June is Men's Mental Health Month and advocates in Ohio and elsewhere are working to eliminate the shame or judgment guys often face when they struggl…

Ohio resident Jeremy Madden, his wife and their adopted daughter. (Jeremy Madden)

Workplace adoption benefits help families, communities

More employers are offering benefits to adoptive parents, according to a new survey by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. The amount of paid …

Ohio's Area Agency on Aging District 5 helps older adults by providing clients with transportation, helping them get caregivers and encouraging them to get out of the house more often. (Nattakorn/Adobe Stock)

Experts say Ohio’s older adults need mental health support

By Mara O'Malley for Kent State News Lab.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. …

Aaryn's husband Ken, Samantha, Aaryn and Amy, a Wendy's Wonderful Kids recruiter. (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)

Ohio mom finds reward in raising adopted daughter with special needs

This month is National Disability Awareness Month, and in Ohio, parents who've adopted kids with special needs say living with a disability isn't …

Ohio has around 15,000 children currently in foster care, according to state data. (Adobe Stock/Generated with AI)<br />

New Ohio children’s services model aims to promote family healing

A first-of-its-kind social work model aims to provide struggling Ohio families with personalized attention and resources. Mike Kenney - director of …

As many as 100,000 Americans have been forced to stay home from work each month because of child care issues, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Child-care crisis mounts in Appalachian Ohio

In Appalachian Ohio, quality child care is increasingly scarce or prohibitively expensive for working families. Even before COVID-19, 60% of rural …

Among military and veteran caregivers, 43% face financial setbacks such as increasing debt or loss of personal savings, according to research from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio military and veteran families struggle with caregiving costs

Ohioans who provide care for veterans spend on average more than $1,100 yearly of their personal income on out-of-pocket costs related to caregiving…

Between the summers of 2021 and 2022, more than 500 children spent at least one night in county government offices because they had nowhere to go, according to the Public Children Association of Ohio. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio agencies work with churches to strengthen supports for foster children

More than 3,500 foster children are available for adoption in Ohio, and state agencies are connecting with local faith congregations to help recruit …

In 2022, more than 2,593,000 children lived in Ohio, according to the Annie. E Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)<br />

New advisory board helps Ohio parents increase advocacy

Ohio parents say they're concerned about the childcare crisis, mental health and gun violence, among other issues that have prompted some to join a …

Aimee Clemson-Rich was recently honored with the 2023 PCSAO Child Advocate of the Year award. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio caseworkers strive to keep families together, reduce trauma for kids

The opioid crisis continues to plaque communities across Ohio, and according to the state Department of Job and Family Services, more than 3,000 Ohio …

In 2021, in the wake of the COVID outbreak, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a national state of emergency in children's mental health. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio's Foster Care Crisis Forcing Hundreds of Kids to Sleep in Offices

By Cathy Candisky for the Public Children Services Association of Ohio.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Public Children Services …

Eight of 10 distressed communities are rural, and 60% of the residents in those counties are people of color, according to the group Rural Organizing. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Rebuild Rural America Act Could Counter Economic Decline in Rural Ohio

Rural Ohio towns could see boosts in economic development projects, and investments in workforce development, emergency preparedness and water and …

Ohio resident and foster parent Teri DeVoe with her family. (Teri DeVoe)

More Ohio Foster Parents Working Toward Reunification

June is National Reunification Month, and in Ohio more foster parents view themselves as active players working to reconnect children separated from …

In 2021, some 53% of working adults ages 25 to 54 were parents, and more than a third of those parents had young children, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe stock)<br />

Child Care Crisis a Barrier to Economic Mobility for Ohio Families

Ohio ranks 29th among states in overall child well-being, according to the latest Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book. Child care …

Ohio resident and former foster youth Kurt Holden beat the odds, graduating from college and receiving his master's degree. (Kurt Holden)

College-Bound Ohio Foster Youths Face Barriers Accessing Resources

Foster youths transitioning to adulthood are being left behind when it comes to college degree attainment and resources. New data from the Annie E…

According to EducationWeek, 91% of all School Resource Officers nationwide are armed. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Slated to Funnel More than $300 Million Toward Police in Schools

Advocacy groups said they are concerned about the lack of accountability surrounding Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's $388 million proposal to staff schools …

Research indicates the number of women who have experienced Traumatic Brain Injury secondary to domestic violence is 11 to 12 times greater than experienced by military personnel and athletes combined. (Adobe Stock)

Initiative Aims to Fill Health-Care Gap Among Domestic-Violence Survivors

A new statewide initiative aims to help connect domestic-violence survivors with medical providers, with a focus on treating traumatic brain injury…

More than 34 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (Adobe Stock)

November Events Highlight Resources for Ohio Family Caregivers

The spotlight is on family caregivers during November, National Family Caregivers Month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in Ohio…

Laurene and Matt Sweet of Euclid adopted two teenagers in 2018. (Laurene Sweet)

3,000 Ohio Kids in Need of a Forever Family

November is National Adoption Month, and the results of a 2022 survey are encouraging for children in waiting. Of the approximately 400,000 foster …

Research suggests that with intensive support, parents can overcome addiction and be reunited with their children as part of their recovery. (Adobe Stock)

Recovery Month: Ohio START Shows Success in Reuniting Families

September is National Recovery Month, and a program in Ohio is showing success in healing families who have struggled with addiction. Ohio START (…

Foster parents strive to build connections between children and their biological families. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Foster Parents: Providing Safety, Nurturing Families

National Foster Care Month in May celebrates Ohioans who care for children in times of crisis, and as the calendar turns, the focus shifts to an …

The National Parents Organization contends it is in the best interest of the child to spend as much time as possible with two fit parents in cases of divorce. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Bill Would Make Shared Parenting the Default for Child-Custody Cases

CORRECTION: Article updated to include comment from the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence. (6:30 a.m. EST. April 21, 2022) By Halena …

About three in five kids in foster care return home to their parents or other family members.<br />(avtk/Adobe Stock)

Evolution of Ohio's Children Services System, Part 3: The Future

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In a system plagued by a history of disparities, Ohio's child-welfare workers and children's advocates say it is time to reimagine …

Poverty can be misconstrued as neglect. (Adobe Stock)

Evolution of Ohio's Children Services System, Part 2: The Present

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As policymakers and child-welfare leaders move to transform the foster-care system, advocates say there are misconceptions about …

Black children represent 36% of the children in foster care in Ohio, while they represent 14% of children in the general population. (Adobe Stock)

The Evolution of Ohio's Children Services System, Part 1: History

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Children Services is tasked with protecting the safety, well-being, and permanency of children and families, but some experts say …

Male survivors of sexual assault sometimes feel shame or self-doubt that prevents them seeking help. (AdobeStock).

Sexual-Violence Prevention: Patriarchal Ideas a Barrier for Men

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Anyone can become a victim of sexual violence, and work is underway in Ohio to ensure that men feel welcome in the anti-violence …

Survivors of sexual violence are often reluctant to seek help. (Adobe Stock)

Rape-Crisis Agencies, Already Burdened by Cuts, Brace for More

Correction: MacMath directs COMPASS (Sexual Assault Education, Prevention & Support), an affiliate of Goodwill Industries. An earlier version of this …

There are new efforts to protect at-risk children from the trauma of being removed from their homes.<br />(AdobeStock)

A Family-First Focus for Children Services in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Work to reform foster care in Ohio is getting a boost from a new federal law. The Family First Prevention Services Act will be …

A unique program in Ohio is helping families in the children services system who are challenged by substance use disorder. (AdobeStock)

Pandemic Compounds Holiday Stress for Parents Working on Sobriety

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The pandemic is compounding the regular stresses of the holiday season, and it's an especially challenging time for Ohioans living …

Children's advocacy groups say there are major gaps in Ohio's safety net for children and families of color. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Groups Ramp Up Work on Budget Agenda for Ohio Kids

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- More than a dozen groups are banding together to make sure Ohio does right by its kids in the next state budget cycle. The Ohio …

Ohio Children Services workers have added some new priorities during the pandemic, including helping families whose kids are struggling with online classes. (Adobe Stock)

Saluting Ohio's 'Selfless, Courageous' Child Protection Workers

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Throughout September, some of the first responders for Ohio families in crisis have been lauded for their commitment. During …

Some Ohio pharmacies are providing information about resources for domestic-violence survivors to customers. (AdobeStock)

Pharmacies Becoming Safe Space for Domestic-Violence Survivors

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Some of the measures intended to help stop the spread of COVID-19 are making difficult times even more challenging for victims of …

Black children in foster care are less likely to find a permanent home compared with their White peers. (AdobeStock)

Ohio Agencies Look to Reduce Racial Bias in Child Welfare

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Racial inequalities in the children-services system are not a new problem, but recent civil unrest around the country is helping to …

Brain injuries from domestic violence can cause physical and mental issues, including headaches, fatigue, dizziness, depression and anxiety. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Research Brings to Light Brain Injuries from Domestic Abuse

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Sometimes, the impacts of physical abuse run deeper than a scar, and researchers in Ohio are digging deeper into cognitive injuries …

There are fears that children will suffer wide-scale learning losses during the coronavirus pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Parents Encouraged to Act Now to Prevent Educational Losses

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With schools in Ohio closed to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, millions of children could lose critical learning time…

The Ohio START program uses a holistic approach to help children in the foster-care system whose parents are struggling with addiction. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio START Shows Promise in Healing Families

COLUMBUS, Ohio – An innovative program that helps heal Ohio families torn apart by addiction is expanding once again. The Public Children …

Many older adults prefer to age in place in their own home and community rather than an assisted-living facility or nursing home. (rawpixel/Pixabay)

New Research Examines Community Supports for Older Ohioans

COLUMBUS, Ohio — New research provides insight into how Ohio communities can ensure they're capable of responding to the needs of an aging …

There are 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers in the United States. (Viacheslav lakobchuk/Adobe Stock)

New Help for Ohioans Caring for "Wounded Warriors"

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio's 1.5 million caregivers face daily challenges, and it's a role that's even more complicated for the families of military …

The population of older Ohioans likely to need some form of guardianship care is growing. (Goodluz/Adobe Stock)

Ohio Relies Heavily on Volunteers to Handle Aging Adults' Affairs

By Katie Ellington, reporting for the Ohio Center for Investigative Journalism, Eye on Ohio Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann for Ohio News …

(Tim Evanson/Flickr)">

Superhero Movie Inspiring Ohioans to “Be a Hero for Kids”

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A popular box-office movie about an unlikely superhero is opening the curtain on the plight of children in need of foster care…

Probate courts are charged with ensuring that people under guardianship are safe and their best interests are protected. In 2017, Ohio courts opened more than three times the cases of adult guardianship over those involving children.(@patong_ens/Twenty20)

Ohio’s Guardianship Laws Leave Seniors Vulnerable to Abuse