Patricia Newell has been tapped as the new Executive Officer for the Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services (DSAS). Newell will be bringing more than twenty-seven years of senior leadership experience in project management, evidence-based program design and strategic planning to her new role.

The first Northeast Ohio Aging and Disability Summit took place virtually last week. Over 400 attendees tuned in to hear local and national thought leaders speaking on topics ranging from the latest in assistive technology, to caregiving for diverse populations, to how to live forever through innovative social entrepreneurship.

On June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is commemorated in America and around the world. Through this day, we raise awareness about the millions of older adults who experience elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. Studies indicate that as many as 1 in 10 older Americans are abused or neglected each year and only 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse ever comes to the attention of authorities.

May is National Foster Care Month, a time when we highlight the need for more foster parents, the value of excellent foster parenting, and thank the truly amazing foster parents who are doing this work.

The Cuyahoga County Office of Early Childhood staffs Invest in Children, Cuyahoga County’s public private partnership that mobilizes resources and research to ensure the well-being of all young children. Through a continuum of targeted services, prenatal to kindergarten, we build awareness, advocate, and measure our impact.

April is National Minority Health Month (NMHM), a time to raise awareness about health disparities that affect racial and ethnic minority populations and encourage action through health education.

This month the Division of Children & Family Services (DCFS) joins the national call for increased awareness and action by encouraging Cuyahoga County residents and partners to consider how to support families, provide education, and offer resources to improve well-being for all children.

Invest in Children partners with Starting Point to support Family Childcare Homes (FCCHs) to be viable high-quality sites for young children -- a support system which helps more than just the kids. This partnership can be life-changing for those with the determination to start a small business, but who have limited capital.

The last time we shared an update on King Weatherspoon he was finalizing his adoption and on the path to a promising future as a student, writer and speaker. Now he’s a senior in high school and a published author.

Cuyahoga Job and Family Services, United Way 2-1-1, Enterprise Community Partners and The Greater Cleveland Food Bank teamed up to help thousands of Cuyahoga County residents access their stimulus checks.

With such an increased and urgent need, many residents are flooding the phone lines to apply or check on the status of their application. As a result, phone wait times have increased. CJFS is working on several ways to decrease wait times and ensure everyone who needs help gets it in the most efficient way possible.

Thousands of parents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic may face lost jobs or reduced income. This can be a financial loss for two households. However, the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) wants you to know there are steps you can take and information you should know to help navigate the child support process and any necessary changes.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is making it easier and more convenient to manage your child support case and make payments right from your phone by launching a child support mobile application and adding Venmo as an e-wallet payment option.

If you are caring for an older relative at home, then November is a month to celebrate the work you do! November marks National Family Caregivers Month, a time to reflect on this important work that often goes unrecognized.

In Cuyahoga County there are more than 2,800 children in care of the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS). More than 600 of those children and teens are in permanent custody. We may be practicing social distancing, but none of us goes through this world alone. Every child needs family.

The Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services (DSAS) works with 37 senior center sites throughout the County to provide services such as transportation, congregate meals, enrichment activities and adult day care. Some of them have begun to offer services again under the new COVID-19 guidelines.

Cuyahoga County residents who have Limited English-Proficiency (LEP) can speak to local eligibility specialists who speak a language they’re more comfortable with when calling the Cuyahoga Job and Family Services Contact Center.

Ninety-two percent of LGBTQ youth believe they can have a happy adult life if they have an extremely accepting family. That’s why we’re recognizing National Coming Out Day and highlighting ways we can all be accepting, supportive and affirming of the people in our community.

Many of the children and families served by DCFS have multiple complex issues and barriers to stability. Whether they are impacted by substance abuse, mental health concerns, domestic violence, or joblessness, the more issues they face, the harder it is to treat them. That is why DCFS has created the Early Childhood Mental Health Unit. This unit provides more intense interventions with children and families to help them through their issues. Learn more about the ECMH Unit and the story of one particular child’s success as a result of these interventions.

Two years after Canopy Child Advocacy Center opened, Cuyahoga County families see the benefits. In November 2018, a host of major child and family provider organizations came together to share resources to provide better coordinated services to children impacted by sexual abuse and later added victims of human trafficking. Since that time over 1,100 children and their families have benefited from the expertise of wrap around services from some of the best multi-disciplinary practitioners in our community. Learn more about the special role of Canopy Child Advocacy Center.