Ohio Family and Children First - East District
Family Representative Resource Manual

Ohio Family and Children First

Cabinet Council Agency Contact List:

Office of Budget and Management http://www.state.oh.us/obm/

Ohio Department of Aging http://www.state.oh.us/age/

Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services http://www.state.oh.us/ada/main.html

Ohio Department of Education http://www.ode.state.oh.us/

Ohio Department of Health http://www.odh.state.oh.us/

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services http://www.state.oh.us/odjfs/

Ohio Department of Mental Health http://www.mh.state.oh.us/

Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities http://odmrdd.state.oh.us/

Ohio Department of Youth Services http://www.dys.ohio.gov/dysweb/

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Family and Children First County Council

Family Representatives

Importance of Family Representatives

As policy and programs are developed to meet the needs and improve the lives of Ohio’s greatest natural resources, our children, decisions need to have the consideration of people who will use the services. Lawmakers made it clear that Family and Children First county councils would be required to have a minimum of three family representatives.

Qualifications

As defined by law, an individual can serve as a council family representative if they are not employed by an agency represented on the council and who are or have received services from an agency that is represented on a county council.

Roles

Family representatives have an opportunity to model for other parents and consumers of services how to work in partnership with public and private agencies to help children reach their potential. The family representative role is fulfilled through a number of activities that may include:

· Being an active participant in FCF council meetings by expressing family insight on the impact of proposed policies, activities, etc.

· Helping to educate other families about the FCF council work and Ohio’s Commitments to Child Well-being; and other related issues;

· Advising the council and OFCF regional coordinators in developing a process for identifying and training potential family representatives; and,

Helping council agencies to work more effectively with families.

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