Professional Development

Franklin County Children Services prides itself on hiring and retaining highly qualified professional and support staff to carry out its mission and embrace its guiding principles. The agency has developed clear guidelines and training requirements for all staff that exceed the standards established by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Revised Code for public children services agencies.

Although child welfare professionals at public agencies are not required to be licensed, about one-third of the child welfare caseworkers, child welfare supervisors, and agency managers who are eligible maintain a current license as licensed independent social workers, licensed social workers, licensed professional counselors, and licensed professional clinical counselors. All new employees participate in an initial introduction and orientation, and are required to take training and professional development courses tailored to their job needs, as well as cultural competency offerings to prepare them to work with the diverse populations served.

Some professionals are mandated by law to report child abuse and neglect as prescribed in the Ohio Revised Code Section 2151.421. These mandated reporters include teachers, daycare staff, social workers, school personnel, physicians, dentists, nurses, psychologists, coroners, and attorneys. FCCS is offering virtual training for professionals who are mandated to report abuse or neglect via Microsoft Teams. The two-hour training covers how to make a referral, what will happen after the referral is made, and what services are available to children and families. Training certificates of completion (no licensure) will be provided to those who attend the entire session. Download Mandated Reporter Brochure 2023

For more information or questions about mandated reporter training email here.

Children Services has a multifaceted training and development program that supports the mission of the agency and meets employees' identified needs. Developmental and training opportunities consist of a combination of programs offered by the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program (OCWTP), agency-sponsored programs/events and training provided by other entities. The OCWTP is a comprehensive, competency-based, in-service training system for child welfare staff, managers, and foster/adoptive families within Ohio's 88 county public children services agencies, and is the major source of training for staff. The OCWTP for the central Ohio area is located at and managed by Franklin County Children Services. For general parenting classes, please contact Lutheran Social Services or see Community Resources for other providers.

The agency supports personnel development and academic advancement and retains staff with strong educational credentials through several programs such as tuition reimbursement, fee waiver programs and the College Loan Repayment Policy. Currently, there are more than 150 Children Services staff who have advanced degrees. The agency promotes excellence in the credentials and training of staff and consistently provides coaching and leadership development opportunities.