(The Center Square) – Ohio plans to spend $2 million of taxpayer money to encourage more people to work in the children services industry.
Gov. Mike DeWine recently announced the Ohio Child Protective Services Fellowship program that allows college students majoring in human services-related fields to work part-time at county public children services agencies.
“Research shows that when children services caseworkers leave their jobs, the kids they were helping often spend more time in foster care,” DeWine said. “Expanding this program not only provides great learning and working experience for students striving to make a positive difference in our communities, it also ensures that our most vulnerable children and families continue to receive the care and stability they need during a critical time in their lives.”
DeWine said that at the beginning of 2023 20% of children services caseworker positions in the state were vacant. At the end of that year, another 20% resigned. In 21 counties, the turnover reached 40% or more and almost half of all caseworkers in the state had less than two years of experience.
Students in the fellowship program can earn $15 an hour for up to 26 hours a week, offering a chance to work around their current class schedules.
“These are incredibly important jobs that make a difference. Every day, children services professionals work to help keep vulnerable children safe,” Ohio Department of Children and Youth Director Kara Wente said. “We believe the expansion of the Ohio Child Protective Services Fellowship Program will help us energize a new generation of college graduates to enter this critically needed and highly rewarding field.”
Any Ohio college or university student majoring in a relevant human services field can apply. To participate, students must be able to commute to a county PCSA with an available fellowship position.
