LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in June
June is globally recognized as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, dedicated to celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer culture. While Pride Month started to recognize the protests, parades, and other events that catalyzed the modern gay liberation movement, it has evolved into a month of celebrations. For LCCS LGBTQIA+ Committee Chair Samantha Borkowski, Pride Month is […]
Melissa McCartt to Speak at National Aging Conference
Lucas County Children Services is recognized as a national leader in many aspects of child protection. This coming July, we will be taking our story to a national stage to discuss the ways that we’ve combined three of our strengths – family search and engagement, family support, and grant-writing – to secure funding through the […]
A Graduation Celebration
As shouts and applause echoed through the streets of Downtown Toledo, 24 foster youth took in the sunshine and cheers as guests of honor for Lucas County Children Services’ annual Graduation Celebration. They all had reasons to be proud of themselves; they had each overcome the challenges of foster care to earn their high school […]
‘A Home for Every Child’ Initiative
Lucas County Children Services Joins Ohio in ‘A Home for Every Child’ Initiative Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams that Ohio will join ACF’s ‘A Home for Every Child’ initiative to improve outcomes for children in foster care. […]
What and Who Is a Mandated Reporter?
A mandated reporter is a person legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect. In Ohio, mandated reporters include (but are not limited to): Education – teachers and school staff Healthcare – doctors, nurses, therapists, and counselors Public safety – law enforcement, first responders, and clergy Childcare & social services – childcare workers, foster parents, and child services staff In […]
How Caseworkers Help Families
Over the last 150-plus years, Lucas County Children Services has operated under several names—The Protestant Orphan’s Home, Lucas County Children’s Home, Miami Children’s Home, and others. While the name has changed over time, one thing has remained constant: a deep commitment to supporting both children and their families. LCCS caseworkers have always worked to help […]
Warmline Pilot Launching in Lucas County
Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) is leading the way in building a community-wide network of supportive services to keep families from becoming involved with child protection. The 211 Warmline Pilot will, “shift from reporting to supporting.” According to its purpose statement, once implemented, Warmline will, “offer families, community members and mandated reporters easier, more welcoming […]
LCCS Health Services Protects Kids, Too
A big part of the LCCS mission to “lead the community in the protection of children” is keeping kids healthy. That responsibility falls to the LCCS Health Services team, which actively works with caregivers, caseworkers, medical providers, and partners to ensure that the children involved with the agency are healthy and happy. LCCS maintains a […]
LCCS Celebrates Social Work Month
Social workers provide more mental health services than psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurses combined in the U.S. Child welfare social workers protect at-risk children by investigating abuse or neglect, ensuring safety, and providing family support services. They facilitate foster care, arrange adoptions, and work to reunite families. There are more than 810,000 social workers in […]
Ohio START: Pathway to Sobriety and Stability
A successful Lucas County Children Services program that helps families achieve sobriety, safety, and stability is expanding to help more families escape addiction. Ohio START stands for Sobriety, Treatment and Reducing Trauma. It brings together LCCS caseworkers, behavioral health and treatment providers, and court personnel to help parents achieve sobriety, and help children heal […]