Volume 2 Number 5
A Publication of Mahoning County Children Services
In this issue:
- 2010 Community Cup
- From the Director’s Desk
pg 2
- Board Member Spotlight pg 3
- Career of Lenore Blanton
- Department News from the pg 4
Family Service Department
Independent Living Program
-When the Going Gets
Tough
- It Matters to Meghan pg 5
- Mahoning County Foster
Parent Association
-Canfield Fair
- English Corner pg 6
- Did You Know?
- Community Resources
- Health Matters pg 7
- Quotes
- Upcoming Community
Events
- Newsletter Committee
October 2010
2010 Community Cup - Mahoning
County Children Services - Going the
Distance Every Day
Mahoning County Children Services is proud to announce the following results from
our team’s participation in the 2010 Community Cup. The Community Cup began
on August 9, 2010 with the Banner Competition. We then participated in a variety of
competitive sports on the weekend of August 27 -29 and finished with the main
event on September 11, 2010 at Mill Creek Park.
We are extremely proud of Shaunté Rogers who designed our agency Banner and
led the banner committee. It is a great representation of Mahoning County Children
Services and we won FIRST PLACE. We are also very proud of the Tent
Committee with the leadership of Dorothy Staaf, whose vision created a beautiful
tent atmosphere that won the agency BEST TENT. We aren’t surprised that we
truly did go the distance as we won the MOST SPIRITED Award!
We want to thank all of the employees that volunteered. They helped us by earning
points which pushed us further to the top! We would like to thank our foster parents,
John and Monica Griffiths, who joined us for the first time!
We would like to acknowledge some of the employees who “went the distance” for
our agency. The “Minor MVP’s” each participated in four different events and
include Amy Tucker, Shawn King and Julie Rudolph! The “Major MVP’s” each
participated in six different events and include Kristy Marapese, Jeff Phillips and
Jason Moore. An extra shout out to JASON who even showed up for a seventh
event if we needed him! Now that is “going the distance”!
We would like to add that without the CHAIR – Marisa Litch we would never have
been as successful as we were! She is really what it means to “go the distance
every day”!
2010 Community Cup – Going the Distance
by Marisa Litch
We are very proud of our TEAM CSB. The following is a list of events and the results:
th
Basketball – 10 Place (out of 15 Teams)
th
th
rd
th
Swimming – Four Events 8 Place, 5 Place, 3 Place and 5 Place (out of 13 Teams)
st
Golf – 21 Place (out of 22 Teams)
th
th
Bowling – Team One 11 Place and Team Two 26 Place (out of 27 Teams)
th
Volleyball – 5 Place (out of 15 Teams)
Walking – Team One 13th Place and Team Two 16th Place (out of 16 Teams)
Running – 7th Place (out of 11 Teams)
nd
Bike – 2 Place (out of 9 Teams)
th
Obstacle Course – 7 Place (out of 14 Teams)
th
Tug of War – 8 Place (out of 12 Teams)
Youngstown Meltdown (Weight Loss Competition) – Team One 21st Place and Team Two 27th Place (out of 55 Teams)
The CSB Community Cup Tent
From The Director’s Desk
Cathy Gagliardi – About to start the 6 mile bike course
By Denise Stewart
Mahoning County Children Services Joins Second Wave of Alternative Response Pilot in Ohio.
Mahoning County Children Services was officially introduced to the Alternative Response Pilot Program during a two-day training
session held on Sept. 23 and 24, 2010 at the agency. Staff attended sessions involving the history and philosophy of alternative
response and were trained on alternative response procedures. An agency readiness visit is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2010 with a
follow-up Community Forum on Oct. 12 , 2010 to introduce “AR” to the community.
The Alternative Response Program at Mahoning County Children Services will be housed in the Family Services Department,
involving our Intake screeners, Intake and Abuse Supervisors and four staff members who have been identified as our primary
“AR workers.” Positive outcomes which were reported from the first pilot project included reports from families that “services
really helped”, less subsequent reports/referrals made on families, and less out of home placements and removals of children.
Alternative Response does not add additional cases or create “new work” for staff. Instead, alternative response is viewed as
addressing work that is already being done—just approaching these cases in a slightly different way. Alternative response
focuses on working with families to identify solutions and resources to address their problems, rather than trying to identify a
perpetrator and a determine a case disposition while “investigating” a referral.
The introduction of alternative response to our county has been very timely, as it follows the implementation of structure changes
that were made as the result of our new Strategic Plan. By combining the Intake and Family Services Departments into one
department (now called The Family Services Department), we have created a closely linked team who has been trained together
on this new methodology. We look forward to the opportunity to provide feedback to the State regarding our alternative response
experience and being an integral part of child welfare innovation in Ohio.
October 2010
Page 2
Board Member Spotlight – Victoria “Rusty” Wiery
How long have you been on the Mahoning County Children Services Board?
I have served on the CSB board for three (3) years.
What committees or special projects have you served on?
I am a member of the Basics Committee, the By-Law Committee and the Group Home
Committee. I am also involved with the agency’s One Church One Child Program.
What do you find most rewarding about serving on the Board?
I believe that we are a “very progressive” county and I really enjoy the people. They are very
creative and a “real blessing”.
What would you like the community to know about Mahoning County Children Services?
I would like the community to know if they are even thinking about adopting to make sure they contact the agency to get more
information. The agency has classes that can help you learn everything you need to know about becoming foster or adoptive
parents. The agency consists of a “great bunch of people”. This is the “BEST THING I DO” in my life right now.
A special thank you to Rusty for her dedication and
years of service on the Mahoning County Children Services Board!
Mahoning County Children Services Celebrates the Career
of Lenore Blanton
by Theresa Pancoe
The singular theme that is echoed in the halls of our agency is…”it can’t be true, Lenore
can’t retire…What will we do without her?”
A celebration Luncheon for Lenore was held at the agency on August 31, 2010 in honor of
her retirement.
In true Lenore style, the luncheon was a contribution from every
employee and a celebration for every employee!
Lenore is an amazing, compassionate and dedicated individual that has spent her career
helping others. She began her career in 1970 at the Mahoning County Welfare
Department. She move on to work for the Senior Information and Referral Center in 1978
before coming to Mahoning County Children Services on May 13, 1987. Lenore has the
dubious honor of being the employee that has worked the “Longest in the Abuse Unit” in
the history of the agency. She began working in the unit when she was hired in 1987 and
Lenore Blanton and Diane Rossi
except for one year at the Northside Project in the 90s, she has remained an exclusive
and faithful member of the unit! Lenore said her favorite part of working at Mahoning County Children Services was how much
she “loved the contact with the clients” because it certainly wasn’t the “paperwork”!
Lenore said her favorite memories (or at least the ones we could print) are of her very first roommates (Lil Green and Tom Morris)
at the “old building”! Those were really good times and she enjoyed every minute. She said what she will miss the most is the
people she has work with at the agency. She wants to wish us all luck and her hope is that all the changes we are going through
work for all the employees, families and children!
Lenore said she plans to enjoy her retirement by first “relaxing and taking it easy”! Then she plans to spend time doing “outdoor
stuff”, hanging out with GEM (her beloved Dog) and then she and coworker, Kim Woods want to open an Animal Sanctuary on her
property. For those of us that know Lenore, this doesn’t surprise us at all. All those lucky animals!
Mahoning County Children Services would like to congratulate Lenore on her years of dedicated services to the children and
families in Mahoning County and to let her know that we will miss her immensely!
October 2010
Page 3
Department News This month we are featuring the Independent Living Program
By Anita Wainwright
The Ohio Department of Human Services (ODHS) has mandated that “Life
Skills services be provided to each child in the custody of a Public Children
Service Agency (PCSA) who has attained the age of sixteen”. It is the goal of
the Independent Living Program (ILP) that youth are prepared for the transition
form the agency’s custody to self-sufficiency. This year we stated meeting with
community agencies to see how we could serve our youth better. We wanted
to address the mental, emotional, housing and educational obstacles our your
encounter in achieving independence. We formed a coalition with D&E
Counseling, Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority (YMHA), Mahoning &
Columbiana Training Association (M.C.T.A.), Turning Point Counseling Center
and the Burdman Group. The two (2) good things that came out of this
coalition with community agencies were (1) Dr. Harvey Kane with D&E
Counseling completes a psychological assessment on all youth that enter the
Independent Living Program and (2) M.C.T.A. are able to provide our youth
with summer employment for work experience.
Anita Wainwright
The youth involved with Mahoning County Children Services attend life skills group lessons that are held at our agency in the
evenings. A life skills assessment, written independent living plan and an emancipation plan are completed. A life skills
assessment is completed to evaluate the strengths and needs regarding the life and personal skill development of a child in order
to determine his/her current level of independence, and to determine the services required to help the child become a selfsufficient adult. Based upon the assessment a written Independent Living Plan is completed which includes input from the youth,
the youth’s case manager, the caregiver and significant others in the youth’s life. Finally an Emancipation Plan is completed that
outlines and highlights the child’s goals so that when he/she emancipates from the Child Welfare System they already have goals
in place to become a successful, self-sufficient adult.
Mahoning County Children Services works very hard to ensure that the children that are leaving the Child Welfare System are
prepared to provide for their basic, emotional, educational and health needs.
A very wise man once said, “A merry heart is
good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your
strength.” We all have a lot going on in our
everyday lives. We juggle family and work,
often putting work before family, (causing
feelings of guilt).
We rush from one
appointment to another, trying to meet or beat
deadlines, stay in compliance, “hurry up, I
needed that yesterday!” In trying to meet the
needs of others, we often fail to meet our own
needs, and find it difficult to keep “a merry
heart.” This leads to frustration, complaining and general feelings of unhappiness. We always feel drained, tired and suffer many
physical ailments. “A broken spirit drains your strength.”
We have allowed life to break our spirit, drain our strength. We have to fight back, but not in the usual sense of the word. When
you feel like complaining, hum a silly or inspirational tune. Laugh at yourself and with others, laugh hard, loud and long. Take
small breaks, go to a quiet place and meditate. Keep a positive thought or mental picture tucked away, one you can call upon
when things get rough. Remember, “A MERRY HEART IS GOOD MEDICINE!
October 2010
Page 4
In keeping with theme of “community” in this edition of our newsletter we would
like to reflect on the important role our community plays in the work of our agency
every day. Community….should be a word that elicits a feeling of togetherness;
of one-ness. Community is defined as a social group sharing common
characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some
respect from the larger society within which it exists.
At Mahoning County Children Services, we rely on the community to be our eyes and ears for the safety and protection of
children. “It takes a village to raise a child” is more than a saying at Mahoning County Children Services, but the way in which
we are successful in strengthening families in our Community. The past support that our community has shown to our agency is
not only appreciated but a necessary function for the children and families that we serve. We would like to take this opportunity to
thank Mahoning County residents for their continued support in our efforts to keep children safe. Mahoning County Children
Services looks forward to our ongoing partnership with the community to ensure a safe and loving environment to nurture and
support our future…Our children!
Mahoning County Foster Parent
Association
By Peggy Messer
The Foster Parent Association spends an entire year planning their annual
Christmas Party. Fundraisers are planned throughout the year to raise
money for this party for our foster children and their families. To reach this
goal, they hold an annual pie sale fundraiser. The pies are made by
Nemenz, a local company. The sale begins October 1, 2010 and ends
October 31, 2010. The pies will be delivered on Friday, November 19,
2010 at the Children Services garage beginning at 10:00a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Just imagine it’s the holidays and you promised you would bring a pie for
dessert. You can serve up a delicious warm apple, pumpkin, or one of our favorites, Apple Carmel Walnut pie. If you don’t tell
them, they won’t know you didn’t spend hours in the kitchen making them. There are also other fruit pies that are thaw and serve,
pies like pecan, Blueberry, Blackberry, Chocolate Cream, and Banana Cream just to name a few. They even have Sugar Free
pies for those watching their calories. If you want a delicious, mouth watering, comfort food like pie, and would like to support a
great cause you can do both by ordering these pies.
The cost of these pies range from $7.00 to $9.00. If you would like to order, or would like more information, please contact:
Jeanette Humbert - 330-747-7601 or Peggy Messer - 330-941-8888
Payment is due at the time of your order!
Canfield Fair
By Theresa Pancoe
Our theme this year was “Get Aboard the Adoption Train”. This year we promoted
Foster/Adoptive Parent Recruitment, Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention, and Mahoning
County Children Services’ One Church, One Child Program.
We would like to extend a VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to Crouse Mills True Value
th
Store for providing us with the model train for our Booth (for the 13 year!) & donating a
model train for us to raffle off to the Community! We had 1063 entries and the winner of
the train is MICHAEL SPEAR (age 9)! CONGRATULATIONS MICHAEL! We hope the
train brings many, many years of joy to you and your family!
Thank you to all our staff that volunteered to work the booth! It was a very successful year
for our Recruitment efforts with 32 individuals signing up for information on how to become a foster or adoptive family in Mahoning
County! We are very proud of OUR STAFF! WAY TO RECRUIT!
October 2010
Page 5
Did You Know?
References to age require hyphens when used as compound adjectives
(i.e. modifiers) that lend context to corresponding nouns. When such
references simply act as direct or indirect objects, however, no hyphens
are inserted. Note the following passage:
Ryan’s 16-year-old daughter Elise began playing the violin when she was 6
years old. Considered a child prodigy at 8 years old, violinist Elise peaked
at 10 years old, but her interest and command of the instrument waned and
many labeled her a 14-year-old failure just two years ago.
The above passage has several references to age and time, but note that
hyphens are inserted only when the age modifies the word that
immediately follows. In the first sentence, “16-year-old” modifies “daughter”
and, at passage’s end, “14-year-old” lends context to “failure”.
That… www.mahoningkids.com is a valuable
source of information about Mahoning County
Children Services and provides information on
Becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent!
That… in the 1500s, Lead cups were used to drink
ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes
knock the imbibers out for a couple of days.
Someone walking along the road would take them
for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid
out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the
family would gather around and eat and drink and
wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the
custom of holding a wake.
Floree Stubbs
That… Each of us generates five pounds of
garbage a day; most of it is paper. So think green!
The Book of Useless Information
TIP: When crafting sentences that include the words “in order to,” omit “in
order” and simply use “to”. Doing so will result in a tighter construction that
loses nothing in terms of clarity.
That… In 2009, Mahoning County Children
Services’ Family Services Department facilitated
121 Relative/Kinship Placements.
Typical usage example: Tom must gain strength and build stamina in
order to compete for a spot on the wrestling team.
Concise usage example: Tom must gain strength and build stamina to
compete for a spot on the wrestling team.
By the way…it’s “should have” NOT “should of” as in “I should have been
warned sooner.”
E-mail me your English questions at [email protected] and I’ll give you
my words.
MCCSB
That… Lucy and Linus have another little brother
named Rerun. He sometimes plays left field on
Charlie Brown’s baseball team – when he can find
it!
The Book of Useless Information
That… Dogs have 17 muscles in their ears so they
can turn them in several directions to pick up
sounds!
Theresa Pancoe
Community Resources
 Mahoning County Children Services
Offers FREE Informational Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness Presentations throughout the community and to children
in Mahoning County School Systems. For more information contact Theresa Pancoe at 330-941-8888.
 Akron Children’s Hospital - Child Advocacy Center
Offers FREE Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training. To learn more please contact Andrea Mistovich at
330-743-2539.
 Help Hotline
2–1–1
Providing Information and Referral Services. Get connected. Get answers.
 CASA – A child’s voice in court.
Mahoning County Court Appointed Special Advocate Program “Speak up for a child.” CASA is a volunteer
organization – for more information contact: Renee Battafarano, Executive Director at 330-740-2239.
October 2010
Page 6
With fall around the corner, it is a wonderful time to get the family
outside to play “aka” exercise.
Walking with your family will give you the chance to see the
changes in nature and is a good way to open up the “lines of
communication”. The act of walking and the calming affect from
the scenery as you observe nature, can help you to feel relaxed
and often makes it easier to get children or loved ones to open
up.
With the new school year beginning, it may give you a better
insight on how you child is handling being back in school so if
they are having any problems or concerns now, you can give
them the support they need early on.
Healthy Tidbit –from Kathleen at Blue Sky Therapy
Sore muscles from your exercise? Make your own ice pack by
placing equal portions of rubbing alcohol and water into a
sealable plastic bag. Let it freeze over night and it will turn into a
cold, moldable ice pack.
"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."
Albert Einstein
“Money may be the husk of many things, but not the kernel. It
buys you food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health;
acquaintances, but not friends; servants, but not loyalty; days
of joy, but not peace or happiness.”
Henrik Hosen
“Once you’ve accumulated sufficient knowledge to get by,
your too old to remember it.”
Unknown
Upcoming Community Events
Help Fulfill a Child’s “Wish List”!
Mahoning County Children Services is working hard to collect Christmas gifts for abused, neglected and
dependent children in Mahoning County.
If you or your organization would like to help fulfill a child’s Wish List please contact Radhika Cruz by
calling 330-941-8888. We will be accepting gifts until December 15, 2010. We always have a great
need to provide gifts for the teenagers involved with our agency!
We are looking for agency staff to be an active part in the Newsletter. Would YOU consider contributing to the
Newsletter? If the answer is Yes, please contact a member of the Newsletter Committee.
Theresa Pancoe, Editor
Floree Stubbs, Supervisor
Philip Murphy, Abuse Supervisor
Melinda Lackner, Receptionist
October 2010
Glenna Ress, Residential Supervisor
Shawn King, Technical Support
Peggy Messer, Casework Specialist/Placement Department
Meghan Tarantino, Casework Specialist/Placement Department
Ruth Parker, Case Aide/Family Service Department
Page 7