Families:

Initiatives

One of the unique functions of the Clark County Family and Children First Councils is to mobilize child and family serving partners to identify and address the needs of children and families. The Council members and their partners identify local interagency efforts and establish a process to identify local priorities to increase child well-being.

The Family Council through its members and partners commits considerable time and resources in the work that must be accomplished. With this commitment from a variety of partners the Family Council can structure an ongoing planning process focused on building community capacity based on multiple priorities or focus areas.

The Council can manage and effectively address multiple priorities that impact children and families. At the same time the Council can educate the community at large about key issues that affect children and families and progress being made to positively impact the outcomes for children and families.

One of the unique functions of the Clark County Family and Children First Councils is to mobilize child and family serving partners to identify and address the needs of children and families. The Council members and their partners identify local interagency efforts and establish a process to identify local priorities to increase child well-being.

The Family Council through its members and partners commits considerable time and resources in the work that must be accomplished. With this commitment from a variety of partners the Family Council can structure an ongoing planning process focused on building community capacity based on multiple priorities or focus areas.

The Council can manage and effectively address multiple priorities that impact children and families. At the same time the Council can educate the community at large about key issues that affect children and families and progress being made to positively impact the outcomes for children and families.

Current priorities or focus areas include:

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System of Care for Multi-need Children and Youth

coordination of services for families through leadership of the Family Stability Team and Interagency Review Committee with the county Service Coordination Mechanism

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Healthy Choices for Life - decreasing risky behaviors & improving Physical Health

through continued prevention programs with partnerships between the schools and WellSpring, MHRB and FCFC and health promotion primarily through school-based strategies developed through partnerships between Schools and Clark County Combined Health District

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Student Mental Well-being

mental health awareness with school-based strategies developed through partnerships between Schools and Mental Health Recovery Board, Mental Health Services and Clark County Combined Health District

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Child Abuse Prevention

supports and education for parents and caregivers; public awareness and community education through efforts of the Clark County Combined Health District, Family and Children Services, Child Advocacy Center and private providers

System of Care for Multi-Need Children and Youth

Coordination of services for families through leadership of the Family Stability Team and Interagency Review Committee with the county Service Coordination Mechanism.

Enhanced Service Coordination

The Clark County Family & Children First Council exists under the Ohio Revised Code to improve the well-being of families and children. As a collaborative of public and private child and family-serving systems, entities, and families, the Council supports initiatives that increase the likelihood that children can grow up safe and healthy, surrounded by the support of their families and communities. Clark County’s Service Coordination mechanism outlines how families and youth with complex needs can access service coordination in our local system of care.  

Key Components 

The success of Family and Children First Service Coordination efforts depends on integrating key components into this process. The following is a list of components that will improve the Service Coordination process, resulting in a more effective service delivery system: 

  • Services are delivered using a family-centered approach. 
  • Services are responsive to the cultural, racial, and ethnic differences of the population being served. 
  • Service outcomes are evaluated. 
  • Available funding resources are fully utilized or integrated. 
  • Home and community supports are utilized as needed. 
  • Specialized treatment for difficult-to-serve populations and evidence-based treatment services are encouraged. 
  • Duplicative efforts among agencies are reduced or eliminated. 
  • Most importantly, families and youth are fully involved in decision-making and are provided with family advocacy and support options.
 

View the complete 2025 Service Coordination process below:

2025 Service Coordination Mechanism

 

Student Mental Well-Being

Mental health awareness with school-based strategies developed through partnerships between Schools and Mental Health Recovery Board, Mental Health Services and Clark County Combined Health District. Decreasing risky behaviors & improving physical health through continued prevention programs with partnerships between the schools and WellSpring, MHRB and FCFC and health promotion primarily through school-based strategies developed through partnerships between Schools and Clark County Combined Health District.

Child Abuse Prevention

Supports and education for parents and caregivers; public awareness and community education through efforts of the Clark County Combined Health District, Family and Children Services, Child Advocacy Center and private providers.