Ohio Department of Children and Youth

Families formed through adoption and kinship care are built on deep love, but they are also often built in the wake of loss, trauma, and transition. Supporting these families requires professionals who understand the unique layers of identity, grief, and belonging that come with adoption and kinship relationships. 

DCY Director Kara Wente and Chief Government Affairs Officer Joel Potts joined Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine yesterday on their Literacy Leaders Tour stop in Washington Court House. At Cherry Hill Primary School, the group visited a preschool classroom at the Fayette County Early Learning Center and a kindergarten classroom following a robust roundtable discussion. The conversation highlighted how using Science of Reading practices in preschool builds a strong foundation, helping children enter kindergarten ready to learn, thrive, and achieve. They were also joined by State Senator Shane Wilkin and State Representative Bob Peterson as they saw firsthand how Ohio’s early learning community is supporting young learners across the state.

Ride-alongs with county social workers give Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) staff an invaluable, firsthand look at how policies shape real lives. A recent visit in Licking County highlighted the dedication of social workers, the strength of families, and the power of community partnerships in creating positive outcomes across Ohio. From programs like STRIVE that help stabilize families to the day-to-day realities of social work, these experiences remind us that behind every policy is a person. ➡️Read how DCY staff are staying connected to what’s happening on the ground!

Story Stretchers & STEAM Starters Launch!🚀 On Monday, over 250 early care and education professionals joined COSI - Center of Science and Industry for hands-on STEAM and literacy activities, part of a DCY-supported learning series. Even Director Wente joined in on some experiments! Attendees earned Ohio Approved PD credit, and ECE students also gained valuable skills. Future trainings can be found listed in DCY’s Tuesday Times newsletters, available on our website.

Discover creative ways to connect literacy development and storytelling with STEAM learning! 🧠 📚 ⤵️ Early Childhood professional are invited to join us at COSI on November 3 for "Story Stretchers and STEAM Starters"— a FREE training designed for early care & education professionals working with infants through early school-age children. Completion of the training earns each participant 3 hours of OA Professional Development credit in the topic area of Curriculum and Assessment. ➡️ Register through the Ohio Professional Registry using ST 10157789

🤝 Partnerships in Action! On October 20, DCY’s Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen and Kim Dent, Executive Director of the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood (OCF), part of DCY, joined a panel of child support leaders at the OCSPA Opening Session at Hilton Polaris. They discussed how child support is more than enforcement, it’s a tool to support families, promote stability, and strengthen parental involvement. Jeff shared how child support can work alongside children services, housing, and behavioral health to help families move from crisis to stability. Kim highlighted how fatherhood programs and education through OCF can improve engagement and cooperation, helping dads understand the purpose and benefits of child support. The conversation also focused on breaking myths, improving holistic support, leveraging technology, and exploring ways to connect with families through outreach, media, and community engagement. By working together across agencies, we can ensure families have the support they need, when they need it.💚

Discover creative ways to connect literacy development and storytelling with STEAM learning! 🧠 📚 ⤵️ Early Childhood professional are invited to join us at COSI on November 3 for "Story Stretchers and STEAM Starters"— a FREE training designed for early care & education professionals working with infants through early school-age children. Completion of the training earns each participant 3 hours of OA Professional Development credit in the topic area of Curriculum and Assessment. ➡️ Register through the Ohio Professional Registry using ST 10157789

❗ Attention Early Childhood Professionals ❗ Explore innovative ways to connect literacy and storytelling with STEAM learning! Join us at COSI on November 3 for “Story Stretchers and STEAM Starters”—a FREE training for early care and education professionals serving infants through early school-age children. Participants will earn 3 hours of OA Professional Development credit in Curriculum and Assessment upon completion. ➡️ Register today through the Ohio Professional Registry using ST 10157789

Director Kara Wente served as the keynote speaker at the 2025 Lorain County Kids Summit on October 6. This year’s event built on the success of the 2024 DCY Kids Summit held last fall in Columbus. A big thank-you to the Lorain County Children and Families First Council for bringing together more than 300 advocates, community leaders, and service providers, all committed to strengthening the well-being of children and families across the region. Following the keynote, Director Wente, Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen, and Chief Communications Officer Jodi Norton Trimble visited Elyria Early Childhood Village, hosted by Principal Jackie Plantner, Dr. Courtney Griffiths and Denise Blatt, associate superintendents with Elyria City Schools, and Ohio Representative Gayle Manning. The DCY team enjoyed meeting children and teachers and seeing firsthand how the school’s nurturing learning environment supports every child’s intellectual, emotional, and social growth, helping set the stage for kindergarten success