Free Trauma Training From PA Care Partnership and OCYF
OCYF
Deputy Secretary Jon Rubin to Depart OCYF
RCPA has been notified by the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) that Deputy Secretary Jon Rubin will be departing his position at the end of the year. Below is a message from the Deputy Decretory Rubin.
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to share that I have made the difficult decision to step down from my position as the Deputy Secretary for the Office of Children, Youth, and Families effective December 23, 2022.
It has truly been an honor to serve the residents of Pennsylvania in this role for the past three years. During my time in office, I have been so impressed by the commitment of our OCYF staff, county and provider agency partners, and the many caring and passionate individuals that make up our child welfare system and human services community. I look forward to seeing the future successes of OCYF and the continued efforts to shift practices towards a more prevention-oriented system along with our day-to-day efforts to keep kids safe in Pennsylvania.
In gratitude,
Jon
On behalf of RCPA, we wish Jon well and thank him for his collaboration, partnership, and leadership during very challenging times and for the manner in which he has supported our members, providers, and child welfare initiatives in the Commonwealth.
Reminder: OMHSAS and OCYF Offer Free Trauma Training
In partnership with the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) is funding trauma training opportunities for all child welfare professionals in PA via Lakeside Global. From September 30, 2022, through September 30, 2023, PA child welfare professionals serving children in PA are able to take advantage of FREE trainings facilitated by the team at Lakeside Global to become trauma-aware, trauma-sensitive, trauma-informed, or healing-centered. This also includes “Train the Trainer” sessions to support trauma-informed sustainability within a child welfare organization.
To learn more about how you can take advantage of this professional development, please view the Trauma Training Announcement.
If you have questions relating to any of these trainings, please email PA Care Partnership or RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
OMHSAS and OCYF Offer Free Trauma Training
In partnership with the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) is funding trauma training opportunities for all child welfare professionals in PA via Lakeside Global. From September 30, 2022, through September 30, 2023, PA child welfare professionals serving children in PA are able to take advantage of FREE trainings facilitated by the team at Lakeside Global to become trauma-aware, trauma-sensitive, trauma-informed, or healing-centered. This also includes “Train the Trainer” sessions to support trauma-informed sustainability within a child welfare organization.
To learn more about how you can take advantage of this professional development, please view the Trauma Training Announcement.
If you have questions relating to any of these trainings, please email PA Care Partnership or RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
OCYF Trauma Team September Newsletter
OCYF Issues Guidance for School Information Sharing
The memorandum “Guidance Regarding Maintaining Confidentiality When Sharing Information With Schools” is being issued to advise County Children and Youth Agencies (CCYAs) about information sharing with Local Education Agencies (LEAs).
As of this date, CCYAs are advised to utilize the Placement Notification Form to notify LEAs of a student’s entry into foster care or change in foster care placement. CCYAs should NOT provide court orders, adoption decrees, resource parent stipend amounts, the name of a person who reported abuse or neglect of a child, the substance use history and treatment of a student (without a signed specific release form), or other information that is not relevant to the academic needs, safety, or well-being of the student. The information should only be disclosed to the individuals providing support to the child.
If you have any questions or concerns related to the education of children served by OCYF, please contact OCYF via email, contact the appropriate regional office, or contact RCPA Children’s Director Jim Sharp.
OCYF Monthly Trauma Team Newsletter
RCPA welcomes members to check out the Office of Children, Youth, and Families’ (OCYF) Trauma Team Newsletter. Please join us in recognizing Child Abuse Awareness Month this April, and stay tuned for articles and stories that highlight the importance and awareness for children’s safety.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Children’s Policy Director Jim Sharp.
OCYF Releases Trauma Team Newsletter for March 2022
OCYF Offers Registration Discount at National Conferences on Children’s Law
The American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law invites you to attend their national conferences to be held in person April 5–8, 2022, in Tysons Corner, Virginia (a suburb of Washington, DC). Thanks to the generosity of the PA Department of Human Services’ Office of Children, Youth, and Families, the ABA Permanency and Education Barriers Projects are pleased to offer a 50% discount on registration fees for either one or both of these conferences to all attorneys or child welfare professionals currently practicing in Pennsylvania. Please see the flyer for more information, including a link to the agendas, registration information, and a hotel discount.
OCYF Guidance: Completing Outcome Narratives
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