Ohio counties test alternatives to child welfare reporting

By Farah Siddiqi

Across Ohio, child welfare leaders are testing new ways to support families before they enter the child protection system, aiming to reduce trauma while ensuring children remain safe.

In Hamilton County, one effort centers on connecting families to help earlier, encouraging them to use the 211 community helpline operated by the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

The goal is to give families access to housing, child care, and other supports before challenges escalate into crises. Moira Weir, president and CEO of the organization, said early intervention can prevent unnecessary involvement with child protective services.

"There’s so much trauma when you involve public sector systems," said Weir. "And again, they’re there for families that are in crisis that really need it, but sometimes there are other ways we can do interventions."

Child protection agencies remain legally required to investigate cases involving abuse or neglect, and officials stress that alternative pathways are meant to complement, not replace, mandatory reporting when child safety is at risk.

From the child protection perspective, leaders say the system is often flooded with reports involving families who are struggling but don’t meet the legal threshold for intervention. That can strain resources and leave families without the support they actually need.

Margie Weaver, children’s services director for Hamilton County, said reviewing reporting data revealed how limited the system’s role can be in addressing broader family needs.

"For screening rates, about 60% of our reports are screened out," said Weaver. "So that means we take no action. So we don’t go assess that family, and we don’t make contact with that family."

Similar prevention-focused partnerships are being tested in other Ohio counties with support from Family Success Networks and Casey Family Programs, as state leaders explore whether community-based models can reduce costs, improve outcomes, and keep families safely together.