Dec. 5 – Cuyahoga County Division of Family Services Advisory Board
Covered by Documenter Daniel McLaughlin
What happened: The Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Advisory Board advises leadership of the Cuyahoga County agency. It discussed several issues in this meeting. A board member asked whether kids are still staying overnight at the Jane Edna Hunter officer building. DCFS Interim Director Jacqueline Fletcher said three are. Fletcher said The Centers, a social services organization, is setting up eight emergency beds to help address the issue.
Caseworker shortage: Advisory Board Member David Crampton spoke about DCFS staffing levels. Of the 516 available full-time caseworker positions, 133 are vacant (more than 25 percent of them). The starting salary is $26 per hour. The vacancies are likely due to burnout, Crampton said.
And also: The board discussed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between DCFS and law enforcement agencies. It is about reporting child abuse and neglect. At the time of the meeting, 52 law enforcement entities out of a possible 93 had signed the updated memorandum. The Cleveland Division of Police had not yet signed.
Read Documenters Daniel McLaughlin live Tweet from the meeting:
Wondering about support services for youth experiencing homelessness? Learn more about some options on the county website.