Strong Families, Safe Communities Project

SFSC The State of Ohio is committed to improving care coordination and providing support for families with children in crisis who present a risk to themselves, their families or others because of mental illness or a developmental disability. Since 2013, the Strong Families, Safe Communities project has been engaging local systems to identify community-driven solutions that highlight collaboration across agencies to develop the best possible outcomes for these families. This initiative is funded by the Ohio departments of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) and Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS).

Many children who are at risk are not engaged in treatment programs and may not be known to the community until a crisis unfolds. Care coordination and crisis intervention services can quickly stabilize a child’s health. Support for these families will reduce risk of harm and help the family remain together.

What's New?

Webinar Resource: Misdiagnosis and Missed Diagnoses in Children and Teens with FASD with Dr. Ira Chasnoff

On June 17th, Strong Families hosted a webinar with Dr. Ira J. Chasnoff, an award-winning author and leading researcher in the field of child development. This webinar provides a conceptual framework for identifying children and teens with FASD and a research-based approach to diagnosis and discuss how this framework can be applied to the development of treatment strategies. The webinar recording can be viewed at https://wraparoundohio.org/ and will be available for 30 days.

Strong Families Program Highlight: Pause Program

Pause is an initiative for special needs families committed to providing consistent support while partnering with caregivers to grow their natural support system. Strategies include supporting families through respite, scheduled family fun events and opportunities for parents and children to connect with other each other.

Registration is now open for the Pause Learning Circle, June- October 2020! Each session will be 60 minutes and will be done via Zoom platform. Sessions will include visuals, videos and small group planning/brainstorming breakouts. Click here to view Flyer and registration information.

Learn more about Pause or connect with other Pause families below.

Talking to Children about Racism

Child Mind InstituteRacism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News | Child Mind Institute

With protests over the violent death of black Americans dominating the news, it's understandable that many kids are feeling scared, confused or angry about the situation.

Grantees and News Coverage

SFY 2016 Grantees

A virtual town hall titled "Kids in Crisis: Preventing tragedies through earlier intervention" took place on Nov. 2, 2016. DODD Director John Martin and OhioMHAS Director Tracy Plouck shared information about the origins of the project, project partners shared successes and lessons-learned as well as how best practices are being shared across the state, and the FY2016 grantees were recognized. Families shared how the services have made a difference in their lives. Below are materials from the event.

SFY 2014 Program Activities