Ohio Department of Children & Youth to Complete Data Review for Youth in Congregate Care

The Ohio Department of Children & Youth (DCY) has proposed a comprehensive data review of children and youth currently placed in congregate care settings, to better understand the magnitude of need for this level of care, as well as the characteristics of the children and youth accessing placement services. This effort was announced by DCY Director, Kara Wente, in a letter sent to public agency directors, administrators, and members of the Children Services Placement Workgroup, which has been working since 2023 to develop solutions to the current shortages of Psychiatric Residential Treatment beds to meet the needs of Ohio’s children with complex needs.

The recommendation to complete this data review was proposed by the Children Services Placement Workgroup. The review will include collaborating with Public Children Services Agencies and other strategic local and state partners in an attempt to begin to transition youth from congregate care to lower levels of care, whenever safe and appropriate. As such, comprehensive data reviews related to children and youth placed in congregate care settings for between 2-5 years will be prioritized for initial review by the DCY placement team.

DCY will be sending relevant data or information, organized by Public Children Services Agency (PCSA), to each respective county Director no later than February 2, 2024. DCY is requesting that PCSA’s return any additional requested information to DCY no later than April 5, 2024. Anticipated information that will be requested will include:

• Relative and non-relative kin contacted for potential placement and result of that contact.
• A brief synopsis of the discharge plan and any challenges/opportunities for transitioning from congregate care.
• Resolution – in this situation, the PCSA may achieve transition of the child or youth prior to sending back data to DCY and would simply note that for the DCY team.

For additional information, please see the complete announcement from Director Wente. If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Elisha Cangelosi at [email protected].