The Supreme Court of Ohio’s Children and Families section hosted four regional child welfare trainings this year. Their purpose was to strengthen collaboration among courts, child welfare agencies, attorneys, guardians ad litem, court-appointed special advocates, and professionals serving children and families involved in abuse, neglect, and dependency cases.

The four sessions held in Akron, Toledo, Dayton, and Columbus brought together 254 participants from 37 Ohio counties. Offering the training in a regional format provided an opportunity for local teams to learn together, discuss challenges, and identify strategies to improve outcomes for children and families within their communities.

Several educators facilitated the series, sharing their expertise and leadership. Many judicial leaders were also key participants, sharing their experiences that underscore the importance of community partnerships in child welfare work.

Judge Theresa Dellick’s team from Mahoning County Juvenile Court attended the session in Akron. She explained that her county is fortunate because the court and local public children services agency work together frequently. They’re in contact regularly, including on weekends and weeknights. She encouraged other courts and agencies in attendance to build similar relationships.

“It is this relationship that aids in creating carefully crafted decisions for the marginalized and vulnerable youth we serve,” said Judge Dellick.

In addition to multidisciplinary collaboration, the training focused on family engagement, conflict resolution, and system-wide approaches to supporting children and families involved in the child welfare system.

The regional series is part of the Court’s ongoing commitment to support Ohio's juvenile courts through training, technical assistance, and initiatives that strengthen court practices and improve outcomes for children, youth, and families.