Alternative Response

It has been said that if you give a man a fish, he can eat for a day. But if you teach a man to fish, he can eat for a lifetime.

Children Services believes in that principle and is committed to helping families get through crises and move toward self-reliance. Alternative Response is designed to keep children and families together whenever possible. This new model allows caseworkers flexibility in their approach to assessing and providing services to families who have abuse and neglect allegations. While serious cases of child maltreatment will continue to have traditional investigations, other less severe incidents may be assigned to the alternative response model.

Alternative Response is an approach that:

• Involves families
• Creates partnerships between workers and families
• Fosters collaboration
• Focuses on identifying concerns and finding solutions
• Forms connections with community-based agencies

The alternative response model also allows the agency to look at the needs of the child and family, and offer services without formal investigation that may result in a disposition of abuse or neglect. Research has shown that Alternative Response results in increased child safety, increased family involvement, and increased family satisfaction.

Franklin County Children Services is one of 10 Ohio counties selected to participate in the innovative Ohio Alternative Response Project. It was authorized by the Ohio General Assembly and is a result of a joint effort by the Supreme Court of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

To read more about alternative response, click here.