Ohio to keep children with complex behavioral issues in parents' custody

Abstract

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on April 5 rolled out a $1 billion program, OhioRISE, which stands for Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence, The Columbus Dispatch reported. “Far too many families in Ohio struggle to stay together,” he said. It doubles about $18 million in seed money added to the biennial state budget two years ago that enabled parents of 469 children to avoid relinquishing custody and provided technical assistance to 82 additional families. The ultimate goal of OhioRISE is shifting how care is delivered — creating new access to in‐home and community‐based services — so more children and parents can stay together instead of giving up custody because their personal insurance won't cover the cost of needed treatment. Overall, the billion dollars represents almost a doubling of the state's commitment to such services, targeting what are known as “multi‐system youth.” Under the new system, Ohio children showing signs of complex behavioral needs can be given the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths evaluation. Once their needs are determined, interventions will be put in place ranging from basic counseling to assigning a caseworker around the clock to monitor a juvenile threatening self‐harm. Hubs will be set up across the state so that children in rural areas are served as well. In all, the goal is to serve as many as 60,000 Ohio children within the first couple of years. OhioRISE is set to get off the ground in January 2022.