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Warren County children services expands Help Me Grow referrals, highlights therapy dog and OhioRISE gaps
Summary
Children Services Director Tanya Sellers described expanding Help Me Grow referrals to all age-eligible children in households under investigation, introduced a therapy dog used during removals and court appearances, and raised concerns about limited OhioRISE funding and community behavioral health capacity.
Warren County Children Services told the commissioners it has broadened early-intervention referrals and is using an agency therapy dog to support children during removals and court proceedings, while staff and commissioners raised concerns about behavioral-health capacity and gaps in OhioRISE funding for high-need youth.
Director Tanya Sellers described a change in practice: rather than referring only the child named in a report of abuse or neglect, staff will refer every child in the household who meets Help Me Grow age criteria (up to age 3) so families can be offered early-intervention home visiting or developmental services. Sellers said the referrals remain voluntary: "It's ultimately up to the family," she said, adding that the program can be included in a court-ordered case plan if the court so directs.
Sellers also introduced Winnie, an AKC therapy dog acquired with grant funds through the Warren County Foundation. Sellers said Winnie provides emotional support during removals, placement changes and court-related breaks and can help children engage with prosecutors and judges; Sellers described the dog as "the most popular employee at children services." The dog’s training and care were supported by a grant, Sellers said.
Commissioners pressed for clarity on whether the referral change was an operational or policy decision and asked that the board be briefed if the change were to become an agency policy. Commissioners also raised broader concerns about behavioral-health resources. Several members noted a rise in acute behavioral needs among school-age and adolescent children, and Commissioners asked staff to follow up with data on service capacity and OhioRISE outcomes.
Sellers and commissioners said OhioRISE has helped place some youth in residential care but that local directors across the state report instances in which available funding is capped and families later report a lack of wraparound services when funding is exhausted. "Our relationship with OhioRISE isn't always the best," Sellers said, and staff agreed to pursue follow-up with regional partners to better understand funding caps and service continuity.
Commissioners asked Children Services to return with follow-up information about service availability, the numbers of adopted children returning to care with behavioral-health needs, and how Help Me Grow referrals are being tracked and coordinated with community partners such as coordinated care organizations, juvenile court, and OhioRISE.
