Jacqueline Fletcher, interim director of the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS), talks to the advisory board. (Credit: Image taken of meeting on Zoom by Documenter Daniel McLaughlin).
Jacqueline Fletcher, interim director of the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS), talks to the advisory board. (Credit: Image taken of meeting on Zoom by Documenter Daniel McLaughlin).

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.

Cleveland Documenters

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