MCCS Board Meeting Date Change
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING DATE CHANGE FOR THE APRIL 2025 MARION COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES BOARD MEETING. THE APRIL BOARD MEETING WILL NOW BE HELD ON APRIL 25TH, 2025.Read More »Join Us For Coffee & Care Night at The Remnant
Join us Thursday, May 16th between 5pm and 7pm for a free, no obligation informational session to discuss what it takes to become a foster parent. Been contemplating becoming a foster parent for awhile? Have some burning questions? Just curious? Well this session is perfect for you! We hope to see you there!Read More »Marion Now Podcast Sits Down with Marion County Children Services to Highlight the Need for Foster Parents
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Paul James on the Marion Now Podcast for 1490 WMRN-AM to talk about one of our favorite things: Foster Parenting! Listen as we answer some commonly asked questions, debunk a few myths, and discuss the benefits and challenges of foster parenting. Listen now! You Can Help Marion […]Read More »
A dire need: Marion County Children Services seeking foster parents
Published 5:30 a.m. ET July 8, 2022 Updated 9:30 a.m. ET July 8, 2022Andrew CarterMarion StarMarion County Children Services (MCCS) is reaching out to the community in hopes of attracting more families and individuals to become foster parents. Elizabeth Moore, foster care and community engagement coordinator, said there is a dire need for foster parents […]Read More »
Powell couple named Foster Family of the Year by Marion County Children Services
NEWS Powell couple named Foster Family of the Year by Marion County Children Services Micah WalkerMarion StarView Comments A few years ago, Randy and Hannah Riggs fostered a 4-year-old girl. Being in an unfamiliar place and uncomfortable around men, the girl was frightened and ran out of the kitchen when she met Randy. Within a few […]Read More »MarionMade!: Durains provide loving home for foster kids
NEWS MarionMade!: Durains provide loving home for foster kids MarionMade!View Comments Each week, this series shares MarionMade! Stories of our many wonderful people, places, products and programs in the greater Marion community. To read more stories of Marion’s great people, places, products, and programs, or to share some of your own stories, visit us at […]Read More »Marion County Children Services plants pinwheels for Child Abuse Awareness Month
NEWS Marion County Children Services plants pinwheels for Child Abuse Awareness Month Micah WalkerMarion StarView Comments On a cold and windy last day of March, about 20 staff members from Marion County Children Services placed blue pinwheels in the ground outside of the agency. Some were positioned around trees, others circled around the two entrance […]Read More »Public Announcement: April Board Meeting
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared emergency, the MCCS Board meeting will be held via teleconference. The meeting will be held at the regular date and time –April 16 at 12:00 pm Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83497681981?pwd=ck1PUmZPZ04zTUVuMTJub0RzK0tvUT09 Meeting ID: 834 9768 1981 Passcode: 382096 OR Dial by your location +1 929 436 2866 Meeting ID: 834 […]Read More »Public Announcement: March Board Meeting
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared emergency, the MCCS Board meeting will be held via teleconference. The meeting will be held at the regular date and time –March 19 at 12:00 pm Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83497681981?pwd=ck1PUmZPZ04zTUVuMTJub0RzK0tvUT09 Meeting ID: 834 9768 1981 Passcode: 382096 OR Dial by your location +1 929 436 2866 Meeting ID: 834 […]Read More »Child Care Survey for Marion County Community
The YWCA of Northwest Ohio Child Care Resource & Referral, in partnership with other members and Child Care providers; Marion County Job & Family Services, Marion Community Foundation, United Way of North Central Ohio, Marion Family YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of Marion County and Marion Matters, is requesting your assistance with a very important […]Read More »Public Announcement: February Board Meeting
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared emergency, the MCCS Board meeting will be held via teleconference. The meeting will be held at the regular date and time –February 19 at 12:00 pm Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86726517870?pwd=citxTWFMWXJUbzhiZ04vU0JSUGFnQT09 Meeting ID: 867 2651 7870 Passcode: 236140 OR Dial by your location +1 929 436 2866 Meeting ID: 867 […]Read More »Public Announcement: January Board Meeting
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared emergency, the MCCS Board meeting will be held via teleconference. The meeting will be held at the regular date and time –January 15 at 12:00 pm Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84605425095?pwd=MnloS0RET3IyUXozR0hUYWU3OE02Zz09 Meeting ID: 846 0542 5095 Passcode: 112046 OR Dial by your location +1 929 436 2866 Meeting ID: 846 […]Read More »2021 Board Meeting Dates Announced
All meetings occur at noon at Marion County Children Services unless otherwise posted. January 15 February 19 March 19 April 16 May 21 June 18 July 16 August 20 September 17 October 15 November 19 December 17Read More »Public Announcement
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared emergency, the MCCS Board meeting will be held via teleconference. The meeting will be held at the regular date and time –December 18 at 12:00 pm Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/81933801856…Meeting ID: 819 3380 1856Passcode: 607783 OR Dial by your location+1 929 436 2866Meeting ID: 819 3380 1856Passcode: 607783 Read More »Public Announcement: November Board Meeting
Public Announcement: Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared emergency, the MCCS Board meeting will be held via teleconference. The meeting will be held at the regular date and time –November 20 at 12:00 pm Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84571265154?pwd=Y2hyUFVpb2VETnJYejB1V0g3MmRUdz09 Meeting ID: 845 7126 5154 Passcode: 279186 OR Dial by your location +1 929 436 2866 Meeting ID: […]Read More »Home Education Resource Kit
Download information and the application for a resource kit for students doing online schooling.Read More »October Board Meeting
Public Announcement: Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared emergency, the MCCS Board meeting will be held via teleconference. The meeting will be held at the regular date and time – October 16 at 12:00 pm Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85472085410 Meeting ID: 854 7208 5410 OR Dial by your location +1 929 436 2866 Meeting ID: 854 […]Read More »Marion County Children Services: Kinship reducing foster care numbers
Andrew Carter Marion Star View Comments MARION — In recent years, Marion County Children Services has been working to develop and improve its kinship placement service as an alternative to foster care. According to agency officials, the use of kinship providers is helping to decrease the number of children placed in foster care locally. The Office for Children and […]Read More »Sponsors Needed for Annual Santa Wish Program
Dear Santa’s Helper,Fall is in the air and Christmas will be here before you know it! Marion County Children Services has a Holiday Assistance Program for children who are not able to be home with their families for the holidays and we could use your help, especially int he midst of the pandemic. Children are […]Read More »Public Announcement: September Board Meeting
Public Announcement: Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared emergency, the MCCS Board meeting will be held via teleconference. The meeting will be held at the regular date and time – September 18 at 12:00 pm Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 819 2477 4217 OR Dial by your location +1 929 436 2866 Meeting ID: 819 2477 […]Read More »Buckeye Neighbors Helping Neighbors
It’s easy to confuse poverty with neglect. Children who are ill-clothed or underfed may be so because the family lacks needed resources. We all can watch out for our neighbors and offer help in respectful ways. For example, your children’s outgrown clothing may be just what another family needs. Or if you’ve been to the […]Read More »Ongoing Caseworker Position
We have an opening for an Ongoing Caseworker position. Please review the position description. All interested and qualified applicants should submit their resumes to Dan.Downes@jfs.ohio.govRead More »Childcare Resources
We know planning for the unknown is very difficult, as we receive additional information on childcare resources for Marion, we will update this post.Read More »Public Announcement August Board Meeting
Public Announcement: Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared emergency, the MCCS Board meeting will be held via teleconference. The meeting will be held at the regular date and time – August 21, 12:00 pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84485320153 Meeting ID: 844 8532 0153 OR Dial by your location 1 929 436 2866 Meeting ID: 844 8532 0153Read More »Board Meeting Public Announcement
Public Announcement: Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared emergency, the MCCS Board meeting will be held virtually. The meeting will be held at the regular date and time – July 17 at 12:00 pm. Join the Zoom Meeting using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86749288207 Meeting ID: 867 4928 8207 OR Dial by your location 1 929 436 […]Read More »Board Meeting Public Announcement
Public Announcement: Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared emergency, the MCCS Board meeting will be held virtually. The meeting will be held at the regular date and time – June 19 at 12:00 pm. Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/82645762483Meeting ID: 826 4576 2483OrDial by your location(929) 436 2866Meeting ID: 826 4576 2483Read More »Board Meeting Public Announcement
Public Announcement: Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared emergency, the MCCS Board meeting will be held via teleconference. The meeting will be held at the regular date and time – May 15 at 12:00 pm Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/5764282081Meeting ID: 576 428 2081 Dial by your location+1 929 436 2866 USMeeting ID: 576 428 2081Read More »Board Meeting Public Announcement
Public Announcement: Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared emergency, the MCCS Board meeting will be held via teleconference. The meeting will be held at the regular date and time – April 17, 2020 at 12:00. Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/466144694 Meeting ID: 466 144 694 OR (312) 626-6799Read More »Child Protection During COVID-19
We’ve created this guide to connect our community with the wealth of resources available in Marion. (Updated 4/9/2020)Read More »Response to COVID-19 Public Announcement, Updated March 20, 2020
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and attempts to limit the spread of the virus to children and families, we are forced to make challenging decisions that will change our normal, daily operations. While changes are necessary to ensure the safety of our community – children and families – and our staff, all decisions are made […]Read More »Board Meeting Public Announcement
Public Announcement: Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared emergency, the MCCS Board meeting will be held via teleconference. The meeting will be held at the regular date and time – March 20, 2020 at noon. https://zoom.us/j/814227631 Meeting ID: 814 227 631 OR: (253)215-8782 Meeting ID: 814 227 631Read More »Response to COVID-19 Public Announcement
Response to COVID-19 Public Announcement March 18, 2020 Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and attempts to limit the spread of the virus to children and families, we are forced to make challenging decisions that will change our normal, daily operations. While changes are necessary to ensure the safety of our community – children and families […]Read More »For Sornchai family, adoption is the 'holiest disruption'
For Sornchai family, adoption is the ‘holiest disruption’ Andrew Carter, Marion StarPublished 7:45 a.m. ET Nov. 28, 2019 CLOSE CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE Adam and Jessica Sornchai and their daughters, Alessandra, left, and Lailah, right, became a forever family on May 30, 2019, when Marion County Family Court gave final approval for the adoption of the girls. Adam […]Read More »Board Meeting Time and Location Change
The December 20, 2019 regular meeting of the Marion County Children Services Board has been changed to 11:00 a.m. at the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 267 W. Center St.Read More »Job Opening - Resumes to be submitted by Friday, December 20
Marion County Children Services Board, an agency that functions to protect abused, neglected and dependent children, has the following position available. Caseworker needed to provide investigation/intake, case management, case planning and direct intervention services to a caseload of families and children in need of protective services intervention for child abuse, child neglect and dependency. On-Call […]Read More »Marion County Commissioners call for more to join foster parenting
MARION – With May recognized as National Foster Care Month, Marion County Commissioners signed a proclamation Thursday morning in a bid to raise awareness for the need for more foster parents in the county. Though the proclamation is a symbolic gesture, members of Marion County Children Services that attended the event say the need for licensed foster families […]Read More »Marion County Children Services cases on the rise
MARION – As National Child Abuse Prevention Month wrapped up Tuesday, those with Marion County Children Services say the number of cases handled by their agency continues to increase each year. “Last year alone, (statistically) one out of eight children received services from us,” said Bryant Brown, the community education coordinator for children services. “If you take a stand back […]Read More »Over 900 Pinwheels Planted for Child Abuse Awareness Month
Volunteers planted over 900 pinwheels in front of Marion County Children Services as part of Child Abuse Awareness Month. Each one represents a safety assessment completed by the agency in 2017. Click here to view photos featured in the Marion Star.Read More »Board Meeting Date Change!
MARION COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES BOARD APRIL MEETING RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 26, 2019 The April 19, 2019 regular meeting of the Marion County Children Services Board has been rescheduled. The meeting will occur on April 26, 2019 at noon at Marion County Children Services.Read More »Marion children services hopes for boost in foster parents with new state website
Marion children services hopes for boost in foster parents with new state website Sarah Volpenhein, Marion StarPublished 8:29 p.m. ET Feb. 17, 2019 MARION — Local children services hopes a new website aimed at attracting more foster parents gives them a boost, with not enough foster parents available to fill the need. Last month, the state […]Read More »Phone System Switch 1-8-2019
***********BE ADVISED********** We are currently switching phone systems here at Marion County Children Services. Your calls are very important to us. If you are unable to reach the offices during the hours of 8:30 to 4:30 today, please call the Marion County Sheriffs Office at 740-382-8244, and they will get you in touch with our […]Read More »2019 Board Meeting Times
MARION COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES BOARD 2019 MEETINGS Meetings are held at Marion County Children Services every 3rd Friday of the month at noon unless otherwise posted. The public is welcome to attend. 2019 meetings are scheduled for the following dates: January 18th February 15th March 15th April 19th May 17th June 21st July […]Read More »December Board Meeting Time Change!
MARION COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES BOARD DECEMBER 21, 2018 MEETING RESCHEDULED The December 21, 2018 regular meeting of the Marion County Children Services Board has been rescheduled to December 14, 2018 at 11:30am at Marion County Children Services. Read More »Board Meeting Time Change!
ATTENTION: MARION COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES BOARD NOVEMBER MEETING RESCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 30, 2018 The November 16, 2018 regular meeting of the Marion County Children Services Board has been rescheduled. The meeting will occur on November 30, 2018 at noon at Marion County Children Services.Read More »Letter from our Executive Director, Jacqueline Ringer
MARION, OH (March 2018) – Marion Community, The life of 1 out of every 9 children in our community was touched by Marion County Children Services in 2017. We responded to 844 concerns of child maltreatment last year and experienced record numbers of children in foster and kinship care. A major contributor to the increased […]Read More »December Board Meeting Cancelled
The December 15, 2017 regular meeting of the Marion County Children Services Board has been canceled. The next meeting will occur on January 19, 2018 at noon at Marion County Children Services. Click here to learn more about the Board, their work, and upcoming meetings.Read More »Marion Star Op Ed by Director Jacqueline Ringer
Its 1:30 in the morning and the phone rings. Marion Police Department. A female victim in the home has overdosed, unresponsive to emergency treatment. The officer says there are three unattended children under the age of 5 in the home and in need of immediate care. It’s hard to imagine this call, but it is […]Read More »Four Named Employees of the Year for 2016
Marion County Children Services has named four employees of the year for 2016. Those recognized include Francis Hernandez, supervisory staff; Mandy Davis and Ellen Thrush, caseworkers; and Dempsey Slone, support services. Marion County Children Services’ mission is to lead the community in the protection of children by working with families to promote, develop, and maintain […]Read More »Ongoing foster parent training schedule for 2017
2017 Marion County Workshops ***January 7th (Saturday, 9am-12PM) OR January 12th (Thursday, 6pm-9pm) *** Mandatory training: Foster Care Policies, Rules and Procedures. Register with TONI. This is NOT an E-TRACK TRAINING IF YOU CAN’T MAKE EITHER TRAINING, PLEASE LET TONI KNOW. (ITP-Part of the Child Protective Team) January 31st (Tuesday, 9am-4pm) […]Read More »Foster Parent Fall Pre-Service Schedule 2017
Fall 2017 Marathon Weekends* Foster/Adopt Training Program * Complete training in three weekends! Trainer: Lynne Anderson Beginning January 1, 2009, all persons being recommended for licensure as caregivers must have completed the following 36-hour Preservice training, delivered in 12 three-hour sessions. Friday, November 3, 2017 Session 1: Orientation to Foster Care, Adoption, […]Read More »Foster Parent Spring Pre-Service Schedule 2017
Spring 2017 Trainer: Lynne Anderson Beginning January 1, 2009, all persons being recommended for licensure as caregivers must have completed the following 36-hour Preservice training, delivered in 12 three-hour sessions. Tuesday, May 2, 2017 Session 1: Orientation to Foster Care, Adoption, and Kinship Care 6pm-9pm Thursday, May 4, 2017 Session 2: The Child […]Read More »December Board Meeting Canceled
The December 15, 2017 regular meeting of the Marion County Children Services Board has been canceled. The next meeting will occur on January 19, 2018 at noon at Marion County Children Services. Click here to learn more about the Board, their work, and upcoming meetings.Read More »Child deaths weigh on first responders
The following article appeared in The Marion Star Deaths of young children are among the worst cases first responders can encounter on the job. That’s made the last two months especially difficult for personnel in Marion County. Six-month-old Aaden Mannering died on June 19 and 2-month-old Lithariel Sprow died on July 20. On July 19 […]Read More »Child Abuse is Preventable
Officials: Child abuse is preventable Andrew Carter, Reporter 1:47 p.m. EDT July 2, 2016 Buy Photo (Photo: File photo/The Marion star) 13 CONNECTTWEETLINKEDIN 2 COMMENTEMAILMORE MARION – Child abuse is preventable. That’s the message that Marion County Children Services officials want community residents to understand and help to accomplish. “What we’re trying to do, as […]Read More »Fragile Brain - Handle with Care
Fragile brain, handle with care Jonathan Dart and Sarah Cumberland report on a form of child abuse that is not instantly recognizable, but the consequences can be dire. In the absence of treatment, Australian doctors are trying to improve diagnosis and agree the focus must be on prevention. WHO/P. Virot A father holding a baby […]Read More »All Babies Cry - Abusive Head Trauma
In light of recent tragic events in Marion County we would like to ensure the community has access to the Ohio Department of Health’s “Babies Cry a Lot” brochure. It is a simple statement that we all know to be true. In some families the babies cry far more often than your “typical” infant. When […]Read More »Why Adoption Is Bittersweet
Why Adoption Is Bittersweet by Liz Block Scary Mommy My husband and I became foster parents a year and a half ago. We didn’t have any friends or family who fostered. It was all new to us, and we’ve found it’s all new to a lot of people. But the beauty and brokenness is worth […]Read More »Medications are the Leading Cause of Child Poisoning
Medication Safety Children are curious by nature, and it makes sense that they would be even more curious when it comes to medication. Many medications look and taste like candy. While it’s important to encourage our kids to explore and discover new things, when it comes to medication, we want to be careful to keep […]Read More »April 2016 events!
Events set Child Abuse Prevention Month in April Andrew Carter, Reporter 5:59 p.m. EDT March 22, 2016 Buy Photo (Photo: File photo/The Marion Star) MARION – Marion County Children Services is planning events to reach out to and educate the community during Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is observed in April. Francis Hernandez, placement services […]Read More »American policy fails at reducing child poverty because it aims to fix the poor
American policy fails at reducing child poverty because it aims to fix the poor If we want to help kids, it’s time to focus on money, not marriage. By Philip Cohen April 4 at 6:00 AM Kindergarten students play at Guilford Elementary School in Loudoun County, Va. Due to high rates of poverty, Title I […]Read More »Child abuse major issue in Marion County
Child abuse major issue in Marion County Andrew Carter, Reporter 5:07 p.m. EDT April 2, 2016 (Photo: Matthew Hatcher/ The Marion Star) MARION – In observance of April’s designation as Child Abuse Prevention Month, employees from Marion County Children Services have planted 863 pinwheels in the front yard of the agency along Marion-Waldo Road. Each pinwheel […]Read More »Parents’ Drug Abuse Strains Child-Welfare Agencies
Time Change Announced for December Board Meeting
The time of the regular meeting of the Marion County Children Services Board has been changed. The board will meet at 11:00 a.m. on December 18, 2015 at Marion County Children Services. Meetings are held at Marion County Children Services every 3rd Friday of the month at noon unless otherwise posted. The public is welcome […]Read More »
Fight with heroin addiction leads Crystal Bonsel along a winding road
MARION – Her smiling, brown-haired, apple-cheeked son raced up to her for the occasional reassuring hug. Then he was down on the floor again driving his toy truck over the carpeted floor in the courtroom office. Unaware as he was, 3 1/2-year-old Mason Thacker was the motivation his mother, Crystal Bonsel, said she needed to […]Read More »Parental drug addiction threatens children's well-being
Written by John Jarvis The Marion Star Bethani Temple spent 20 days in jail after she crashed a car while stoned on heroin. She hasn’t used for 31 months. Her husband was in prison for a year on drug-related charges. He’s been clean for 19 months. On a recent afternoon, their 2-year-old daughter, Cambree, and […]Read More »Program aimed at child neglect
Written by: John Jarvis, The Marion Star MARION – While she said it’s too early to provide statistical evidence locally, the Marion County Children Services director insists that by using a new state-approved approach involving families her agency is seeing improved results in child neglect cases. “It eliminates the labels, which tend to create barriers,” […]Read More »Mother: Caseworker provided support she needed
Written by: John Jarvis, The Marion Star MARION – Editor’s note: The Marion Star is not identifying its sources in this story out of concern for the well-being of the family members. As his mother held him close, the 1-year-old boy smiled brightly at her, playfully using his tongue to slide a Cheerio onto his […]Read More »Adopted actresses shine in 'Annie'
Written by: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, The Marion Star MARION — The story of “Annie” was brought to life on stage 35 years ago, and audiences were introduced to a curly-haired girl who just wanted to find her parents and get out of the orphanage she was forced to call home. The Marion Palace Theatre troupe will […]Read More »Wear Blue to Work
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. With the cases of child maltreatment on the rise, we need to take a stand as a community. We want to engage you as our partner in raising awareness about child abuse and neglect – so together, we can show a united effort in preventing child abuse. Take a […]Read More »