Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Updates

This ongoing correspondence focuses on essential business-related information, providing important updates for our partners. These updates encompass practice and policy adjustments, data dashboard enhancements, funding prospects, program details, training initiatives, and various other pertinent topics.

Each year in May, we recognize National Foster Care Month. This year’s theme, “Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities.," emphasizes the importance of providing our young people the supports they need as they transition to adulthood. Programs such as Bridges and Youth Navigator Network help youth who have been in foster care, or recently transitioned out of care, access resources and needed services. If you would like to learn more about the national campaign, please visit the Children’s Bureau website National Foster Care Month | Child Welfare Information Gateway.

The Department of Children and Youth is encouraging all of our partners to #ThankATeacher during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6 through May 10. Share this flyer which provides ideas on how parents, programs, and children can #ThankATeacher. Be sure to use the hashtag #TeacherAppreciationWeek when posting photos on your social channels.

Ohio Commission on Fatherhood

Ohio Family Children First Council

Healthy Beginnings at Home

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

Strong Families, Safe Communities

Now that April's National Child Abuse Prevention Month is behind us, the Ohio Children's Trust Fund is looking back on all the events designed to showcase its prevention efforts and build public awareness about child abuse and neglect.

OCTF launched the new Ensure They Shine campaign, which highlights that children possess a unique ability to light up our lives and we can all be a part of nurturing their bright spirit with love and care.

The month started off with Prevent Child Abuse America #WearBlueDay on April 5 and Public Children’s Services Association of Ohio #WearBlueDay on April 10. Prevention partners from across the state showed their support by posting selfies and tagging OCTF on social platforms.

The team hosted four prevention webinar events focused on the impact that trauma has on relationships. Almost 180 professionals attended the events which helped their organizations connect with programming that could benefit the families they serve. All four webinars were recorded and can be viewed on OCTF’s website at https://octf.ohio.gov/webinars.

On April 24, 2024, the Ohio Senate recognized OCTF for 40 years of service to Ohioans and the Senate and House presented resolutions to mark National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

OCTF Board Chair Senate Stephanie presents OCTF staff with the April Proclamation.

Date                             Resource Name

4/30                              DCY Guidance Letter 24-010 Child Fatality Review Committee

4/30                              DCY Guidance Letter 24-012 OCAF SharePoint Site Announcement

4/30                              DCY Update- Deployment Communication - Child Match

4/30                              DCY Update- Deployment Communication Ohio SACWIS-RTIS Release 4.33

4/30                              DCY Update- Deployment Communication - Traverse Virtual Print

4/30                              DCY Update- Deployment Communication OAGP Enhancements

4/30                              DCY Update- ITH Marketing and Recruitment Learning Series Session

Is your school district ready for young children to enter your preschool program? Are you looking for ideas on how to better collaborate with families and early care and education professionals? Does your inter-agency agreement ensure effective coordination of services so that a young child and their family can successfully transition from early intervention to preschool special education?

If you are looking for resources to improve agency collaboration so that the transition for children and families between IDEA Part C (Early Intervention) and IDEA Part B (Preschool Special Education Services) is seamless, then look no further.

OCALI and its partners have developed an IDEA Part C to IDEA Part B training opportunity to support agencies in improving transitions for children and families. There are also helpful video vignettes which provide insight into effective transitions. Registration for the C to B training opportunity, as well as the video vignettes, is located on the OCALI website at

.If you have any questions regarding these resources, please contact the Preschool Special Education team at the Department of Children and Youth at [email protected].

On April 10, 2024, Governor DeWine announced the Child Care Choice Program in his State of the State Speech.

The attached child care manual procedure letter was posted to the eManuals site April 26, 2024 introducing the 2024 Child Care Choice Voucher program.

Date                                     Resource Name

4/19                                      DCY Guidance Letter 24-011 County Care Choice Voucher Program Eligibility Determination

4/19                                      DCY Update- Early Intervention Program Updates and Transition Planning Flyer

Commission on Fatherhood Meets May 9

The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to noon. You can attend this meeting either in-person at the Vern Riffe Building, 77 S. High St., 19th floor, Columbus, Ohio, 43215, or by clicking this link.

This meeting is open to the public. Please bring your photo identification.

To view past meeting agendas, meeting minutes, and presentations, visit the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood website.

Date                                     Resource Name

4/30                                      No relevant documents for week of 4/30/24

If you have questions about the content above, please reach out to [email protected]