The federal government's dereliction allows states to fall short on meeting minimum child welfare standards. Below is information specific to Ohio:

CFSR Results Summary: In its Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) process, HHS determines whether each state is in substantial conformity with 7 specific outcomes (pertaining to the areas of safety, permanency and family and child well-being) and 7 systemic factors (relating to the quality of services delivered to children and families and the outcomes they experience).  In the first two rounds of the CFSR, HHS has concluded that Ohio was:

Round 1 (2003)

• NOT in substantial conformity with 7 of the 7 Outcomes
• NOT in substantial conformity with 1 of the 7 Systemic Factors

Round 2 (2009)   

• NOT in substantial conformity with 7 of the 7 Outcomes
• NOT in substantial conformity with 3 of the 7 Systemic Factors

Although federal law mandates that any state found not to be operating in substantial conformity during an initial or subequent review must begin a full review within two years after approval of the state's program improvement plan, HHS has announced that Ohio will not undergo Round 3 of the CFSR until FY 2017 (see CFSR Technical Bulletin #7 (March 2014)).

Documents from the U.S. Health & Human Services Children's Bureau

• Child and Family Services Review Reports and Results
  
  
  • Ohio Performance Improvement Plan (Round 2)
  • Final Report: Ohio Child and Family Services Review, 2009 (Round 2)
  • Ohio Performance Improvement Plan (Round 1)
  • Final Report: Ohio Child and Family Services Review, 2003 (Round 1)
• Title IV-E State Reports and Program Improvement Plans (PIPs)
  
  
  • Initial Primary (FY 2001)
  • Primary Review (FY 2004)
  • Subsequent Primary Review (FY 2007)
  • Subsequent Primary Review (FY 2010)
  • Subsequent Primary Review (FY 2013)
• Other Documents / Reports
  
  
  • Ohio AFCARS Assessment Review (2012)
  • Ohio section from HHS' Child Welfare Outcomes, 2009-2012, Report to Congress

Child Welfare Litigation*

• Ward v. Neal
  The complaint alleged deficiencies in child welfare services, including: pre-placement services; reasonable efforts to prevent placement; least restrictive placement; lack of fair hearing procedures for parents and other concerned persons to contest the provision, reduction, termination, or adequacy of child welfare services; and inadequate monitoring and supervision of services. The complaint also addressed due process and right to counsel issues in the juvenile court system. Defendants include the state Department of Human Services, Jackson County, and the juvenile court.

*litigation summary taken from information provided by the website of the National Center for Youth Law

Child Welfare In the News**

• Stark children services levy renewal headed for May ballot
  The Alliance Review - January 15, 2015
  On Wednesday, the Stark County commissioners decided renewing the levy was necessary in continuing child protective services.
  
• Children Services budget deficit doubles to $4 million
  Hamilton Journal-News - January 01, 2015
  Just three weeks ago Butler County Children Services Executive Director Jerome Kearns was talking about "over-hiring" to fill vacancies, this week the county commissioners blasted the agency for allowing a $2 million budget deficit to double.
  
• Social worker turnover problematic
  Journal-News - December 14, 2014
  Turnover in human services agencies, especially children services, is high due to the stressful nature of the work, experts say. But some former Butler County social workers blame management. Of five area counties surveyed, Warren County had 13 of 43 employees leave its agency this year, a turnover rate of 30 percent.
  

**news summaries taken from daily newsfeed service of HHS' Child Welfare Information Gateway