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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*
May 25, 2023




*MEDIA CONTACTS:
*Dan Tierney (Governor): 614-644-0957
Hayley Carducci (LG): 614-404-8616






What They're Saying: Ohio Certification for Agencies and Families

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)?Associations representing Ohio's leading youth, family, and childcare advocates issued support for the Ohio Certification for Agencies and Families (OCAF [ [link removed] ]), which was launched [ [link removed] ] yesterday by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted. The new tool gives users the ability to complete and submit applications electronically, whereas before it was all done on paper. The redesigned online application creates a more streamlined, user-friendly experience that increases efficiency and accuracy.

What They're Saying

?I began fostering 12 years ago. I?ve fostered 48 children and I have a household of 10 children right now. Being in Ohio and being a foster and adoptive parent is a beautiful situation because of all the support from the government and the staff. OCAF is going to make the process of becoming a foster parent take less time and give you the opportunity to ask questions*.*?*?
"-Diamond Carter Enayzi, Foster Mother"*

?We are thrilled with this intentional investment in transforming the experiences of infants and toddlers in Ohio's child welfare system, and making the foster and adoption process more accessible for families. With 4,497 children under the age of 5 in state custody, there is a growing need to ensure young children can grow, learn, and play in environments that protect them from the harmful effects of stress, trauma, and adversity. We enthusiastically support this new process to meet the urgent needs of infants, toddlers, and families."
*"-Shannon Jones, President & CEO of Groundwork Ohio"*

?Boys & Girls Clubs in Ohio are committed to enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. As advocates for the well-being of children, we believe that it is crucial to prioritize and expedite the procedures involved in finding loving and stable homes for vulnerable youth in our foster and adoption systems. By removing unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and implementing efficient processes, you have the power to positively impact the lives of countless young individuals, offering them the safe and nurturing environments they deserve. Speeding up the fostering and adoption processes has numerous advantages. By streamlining these processes, you can attract more prospective foster and adoptive parents. We wholeheartedly support the efforts of the DeWine/Husted administration to this end.?
"*-Adam C. Shank, Esq.,?Executive Director of the?Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs*"

?Our team has just begun to pilot OCAF, and we are excited to be a partner with ODJFS in this work. The opportunity to provide feedback and help shape the development of this system is exciting and meaningful. OCAF will improve work for our agency staff and foster caregivers in many ways. We are grateful that the state is investing in the creation of this system that will help us to do this work more efficiently and confidently.?
"*-Sarah Steuer, CEO of Youth Advocate Services*"

?The Ohio Head Start Association applauds Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted on their announcement today launching a new statewide online portal to streamline the adoption and foster care process.?This initiative will increase access to stable and loving homes by simplifying the pathway to becoming a foster or adoptive parent.

Governor DeWine has made Ohio?s infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children a top priority, and we join him and his administration in pushing for the investments we need to give our most youngest, vulnerable children the start they need to succeed and to make sure that every child has the chance to grow up healthy and set up for long-term success.?We celebrate this new initiative, especially the support it will be to children in foster care, many of whom receive Head Start and Early Head Start services.?"
"*"-Julie Stone,?Executive Director of the Ohio Head Start Association"*

"CCAO appreciates Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted?s initiative to streamline the process to inquire about and apply to become resource or adoptive parents. The new online portal will create efficiencies in our child welfare system for prospective families and make the process more accessible. The new system will also benefit county child welfare workers and help with the workforce challenges that county agencies are facing."
"*-County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO)*"

?The Ohio CASA/GAL Association endorses new innovations that support the safety, well-being and permanency of children who are in out-of-home care as a result of abuse, neglect or dependency without sacrificing the rights of kin. We know that there are too many children who are members of Ohio?s child welfare system rather than a loving family.?While these children wait for a permanent home or a nurturing placement with trusted adults or kin, there are loving adults who wish to serve in that role but are hampered from doing so because of long delays or requirements that may be no longer necessary or relevant.?The Ohio CASA/GAL Association supports systemic changes or tools that can remove unnecessary barriers that do not contribute to the child?s safety or well-being and that will more quickly unite waiting children with a loving family.?
"*-Ohio Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)*"

?PCSAO appreciates the Governor and Lieutenant Governor for their leadership in streamlining the application and certification for prospective resource and adoptive families. Automating this process could save both time and money, alleviating some of the pressures on our overstretched workforce. And as we celebrate Foster Care Month, we hope that the announcement of this new online system will inspire Ohioans to consider becoming a resource for children in foster care, including older youth who may have complex trauma and challenging behaviors -- and for whom county agencies struggle to find adequate therapeutic placements close to home. These youth deserve temporary supportive family settings in which to heal and thrive, and their parents require mentors willing to work with them toward reunification. The process for becoming certified to fill this critical need can at times be lengthy and frustrating, and so we welcome this new technology to streamline the experience.?
"*-Public Children Services Association of Ohio*"

"Once again, Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted are proving themselves to be strong pro-life leaders. Thanks to the streamlining of the foster care and adoption process they announced today, Ohio continues to be a leader in caring for children, both born and unborn. Center for Christian Virtue is grateful for the pro-life leadership of Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted in keeping Ohio the top pro-life state in the country."
"*-Aaron Baer, President of the Center for Christian Virtue*"

?Ohio Right to Life and our statewide membership is grateful for the pro-life leadership of Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted. This new and innovative initiative will help countless families and Ohio?s children in our foster care system find loving homes. Putting families and our kids first is a hallmark of this administration and today?s announcement proves yet again that the great Buckeye State prioritizes our greatest asset ? our children. We look forward to working with the administration to promote these new tools.?
"*-Michael Gonidakis, President of Ohio Right to Life*"

?We are excited about this new tool to streamline the process of fostering or adopting in Ohio. Consolidating information and reducing paperwork for Ohio?s adoption agencies will help expedite the important work of uniting more young people with their forever families. Our thanks to Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted for their continued leadership and commitment to Ohio?s children.?"*
"*-Ohio Job and Family Services Directors? Association*"*"

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