Ohio Department of Children and Youth

On October 3, DCY Director Kara Wente and Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen attended the 2024 Ohio Health Policy Summit, where Director Wente participated in a panel of state agency leaders. The panel focused on partnerships and collaboration aimed at improving health, well-being, and economic vitality throughout Ohio.

Late last month, DCY Director Kara Wente, Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen, and Deputy Director of Government and External Relations Joel Potts visited Cub Academy at New Lexington Schools, showcasing an innovative preschool model that supports early childhood education. The tour sparked crucial conversations about access and affordability for working families, addressing barriers in the current funding system. Hosted by Superintendent Casey Coffey, the visit aimed to highlight Perry County’s forward-thinking approach to early childhood education, emphasizing early literacy and community collaboration.   By bringing together educators, policymakers, and community members, the event explored collaborative solutions for equitable, high-quality childcare. The New Lex Model offers a holistic approach, prioritizing early literacy, intervention, and career training to empower individuals and communities alike. This initiative aims to replicate its success statewide by securing sustainable funding to ensure all families can access high-quality early education programs. #OhioEarlyEducation

Are you passionate about making a difference for Ohio's families? We are looking for talented individuals to join our dynamic team!

Along with her colleagues from the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Higher Education, DCY Director Kara Wente participated in a panel discussion at The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers meeting on workforce. Director Wente shared the various workforce strategies and initiatives that DCY has implemented, while emphasizing the importance of workforce in all the child and family serving fields. #BehavioralHealth #WorkforceDevelopment #MentalHealth

We are proud to announce that Kara B. Wente, Director of the Department of Children and Youth, has been awarded the PCSAO Partner of the Year award. This annual award from the PCSAO Board of Trustees recognizes individuals, organizations, associations, and state leaders who have been exceptional partners in collaborating with and supporting PCSAO on children services-related issues. Director Wente’s tireless efforts to advocate for children and youth, as well as her commitment to building strong partnerships, make her a most deserving recipient of this honor. Congratulations, Director Wente, on this well-deserved recognition! The Department of Children and Youth is grateful for your leadership and dedication. Pictured from left to right: DCY team members Elisha Cangelosi, Colleen Tucker. Dorothy Striker, Director Wente, PCSAO Executive Director Angela Sausser, DCY team members Lucy Gobble, Katina Bays, and DCY Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen.

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) and the Supreme Court of Ohio hosted the first Kids Summit, gathering county leaders to introduce DCY, a new agency created by Governor DeWine to streamline support for children and families.

The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood staff recently attended Action for Children's 'Father Up' session focused on online safety. Chris Vineis, founder of 'Unite for Safe Social Media', and Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted joined fathers in a vital discussion on best practices and resources to help parents and caregivers protect children from the dangers of technology.

On August 7, 2024, DCY had the pleasure of hosting our Region 5 federal partners from the Administration for Families and Children, Children's Bureau (CB), who oversees the state’s children services system. The CB team engaged with DCY staff to discuss Ohio's Title IV-E Prevention Services plan and the ongoing implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act. This visit provided a valuable platform for Ohio to share updates, offer feedback, and gain insights on the national progress of Family First. Additionally, the discussion covered preparations for the upcoming Title IV-E review and the Child and Family Services Review. This meeting highlighted our commitment to improving services for children and families across Ohio. 

Have you had the chance to stop by our booth at the Ohio State Fair? Discover Ohio's newest state agency dedicated to ensuring that Ohio’s children reach their full potential. Learn about the innovative programs and resources we offer to support the well-being and growth of children across our state! #discoverdcy

Director Kara Wente, Chief of Staff Jeff Van Deusen, and Deputy Director Katina Bays made several stops in Cleveland recently. The Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition invited the Director to meet with members to discuss workforce challenges in the human services fields. Next, they visited First Year Cleveland to learn about their efforts to address infant vitality in Cuyahoga County. Finally, they met with leadership from Cuyahoga County to learn about their creative solutions for addressing the children services placement crisis. During these visits, they engaged in meaningful dialogues, sharing insights and strategies to tackle these pressing issues. The Department of Children and Youth’s commitment to understanding and supporting local initiatives focused on children underscores our dedication to improving the lives of Ohio's youngest residents. Each meeting provided valuable perspectives, highlighting the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving positive change for children across the state. These efforts aim to ensure that every child in Ohio has access to the care, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.