An important issue in Scioto County is once more making headlines. Those seeking office and those already holding office are struggling to come to grips with what has become known as a “crisis with Children's Services CPS.”
Cyn Mackley of The Scioto County Daily News (online) reports …
“Scioto County Commissioner candidate Keith Crabtree thinks the number of rehab facilities in the area is contributing to other major problems in the county, and he says it’s at the top of his list of things to tackle if he’s elected. He’s concerned that rehab centers have become a mainstay of the local economy.”
Crabtree says …
“All of the other counties around us are sending their rehab patients here to Scioto County. They’re doing that because there’s so many of these that’s coming up now. It’s big money. The problem is that about 85% of these patients will relapse in the first 90 days. When they relapse, there’s nothing to extradite them back to the county that they came from. A lot of them end up staying here. They connect, they become boyfriend and girlfriend, and then they have children. Then you have a crisis with Children Services.”
(Cyn Mackley. “Keith Crabtree Blames Rehabs for CPS Crisis, SOMC Mental Health Cuts.” Scioto County Daily News. February 24, 2022.)
Crabtree says the number of kids in CPS care in Scioto County is 4 times the average of other rural counties in Ohio.
Mackley reports Crabtree says …
“It’s because of what’s coming into our county, that’s what happens. It’s not that these are bad people. An addiction is not something that can be cured. These facilities are not curing that. They’re creating problems.
“I’ve been around a lot of those folks in the rental business. When things start getting bad for them, a lot of them relapse because it’s easier to go back into the facility because everything is taken care of for them.”
(Cyn Mackley. “Keith Crabtree Blames Rehabs for CPS Crisis, SOMC Mental Health Cuts.” Scioto County Daily News. February 24, 2022.)
Let me see if I can crunch this down …
So, Keith Crabtree claims there are too many rehabs in the area and this is contributing to a Child Protective Services crisis. He believes that too many clients come into Scioto County for treatment, but quickly relapse, and, after even further treatment, eventually “connect” and have children. Crabtree thinks this procreation causes major problems including a so-called “CPS crisis.”
In the meantime, the Scioto County Commissioners discussed their letter to restructure the Children’s Protective Services (CPS) Board at their meeting on February 24.
“Essentially what this letter would do is restructure the board, not eliminate or resolve, but restructure the board, shifting the financial and operational responsibility directly under the Commissioners and living under JFS,” said Commissioner, Scottie Powell.
Commissioner, Cathy Coleman said …
“They have no voice, they are put in situations they have no control over, and the bottom line is the welfare of our children. I come from a world of 42 years and a business atmosphere and one thing my husband once told me, who was a previous commissioner, was to run the county like a business and that’s what we must do.”
Coleman feels the opioid crisis has caused an increase in children being greatly affected by CPS.
“When I came in here it was under 200 and then it was over 400, it has went down a little bit but I fear it will go even higher than what we are seeing now,” said Coleman.
“There has to be a fix, I don’t know what it is, I’ve had many sleepless nights trying to figure out how to fix the opioid situation.”
Coleman said the cost for boarding the children is astronomical (“by February the agency needs $730,000”). She doesn't want the board “to take it personally.” But, Coleman says, “The bottom line is it's business.”
Commissioner Bryan Davis said due to the opioid epidemic there has been an increase in boarding, staff shortages, increased physical and mental trauma to children, families, CPS, law enforcement and court staff. He recommends the restructuring of the CPS board through the Commissioners.
Davis said …
“This has been a possibility for over a year, in September 2020 the Commissioners worked with Director of JFS, Director of CPS, and Board of CPS to sign a mutual cooperation agreement to facilitate better communication between the two, this was to identify synergies between the two organization.”
“The goal was to push through as many cases as possible, to get to permanency, to reduce cost and it should also be noted that during this time the commissioners invested in a new special victims unit through the prosecutor’s office,” said Davis.
(Darian Gillette. “Commissioners push for CPS board restructure.” Portsmouth Daily Times. February 24, 2022.)
Davis said the Commissioners were trying to plan ahead.
“We saw the potential that without additional funding that this day, where we are right now, may come and we needed to do all we could to prepare for it,” said Davis. “We didn’t want it to come to this, we were hoping additional funding would come from the state.”
Davis said he doesn’t want to see the board of CPS go through any more personal heartache. He believes they just “want to do the right thing.”
“It simply isn’t worth it and it simply isn’t fair to them,” said Davis. “My recommendation, just as it is with 77 of the 88 counties, is Scioto County CPS being put under the administration of JFS Director. This move will increase financial efficiencies, organizational efficiencies, communication, and identify additional synergies that will save the organization money.”
(Darian Gillette. “Commissioners push for CPS board restructure.” Portsmouth Daily Times. February 24, 2022.)
In yet another post by the Scioto County Daily News, Cyn Macley reported the the Scioto County Commissioners say they’re stripping the Scioto County Children Services Board of their administrative power for their own good. The troubled agency has a projected $2 million shortfall for 2022 and is dealing with the death of the third child in less than three years under the agency’s care.
Commissioner Cathy Coleman said, “I just pray they look at this as us helping them with their burden and not working against them.”
Coleman said, “If it wasn’t for Commissioner Powell, I don’t know when we would have been told they needed money to cover payroll. He asked them ‘How bad is it? What do you need? In my world, if you didn’t pay your people, you wouldn’t have any people for the next week. Bottom line, it’s a business situation.”
(Cyn Mackley. “Commissioners Say They Stripped CPS Board of Power for Good of Members.” Scioto County Daily News. February 25. 2022.)
Commission Chairman Scottie Powell formally introduced a letter at Thursday’s Commissioner’s meeting announcing a complete restructuring of the board. The move would strip the board of all administrative power and move it to what commissioners call “an advisory capacity.”
Powell said the financial and operational responsibilities of the agency would shift to the commissioners and Children Services would “live under” Jobs and Family Services.
Powell said that this was the model across much of Ohio. “When you look at this structure across the state, this work belongs under JFS.” Powell spoke at length about the reasons for the move at Wednesday’s emergency meeting of the Children Services Board.
(Cyn Mackley. “Commissioners Say They Stripped CPS Board of Power for Good of Members.” Scioto County Daily News. February 25. 2022.)
Problems, Problems
To me, the facts speak for themselves. It is evident the large number of children in CPS has put a tremendous financial burden on the county. Many of the children who need assistance are helpless victims, and through no fault of their own, became dependent as the offspring of people in recovery and others struggling with opioid addiction.
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) has reached epidemic proportions not only in Scioto, but also across the United States. Children of parents with OUD are an unrepresented population, who often suffer consequences from their parent's substance abuse disorder.
Such children may incur numerous psychosocial and physical losses. Without intervention, they are more likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness and/or substance use disorder (SUD).
Research confirms that children of parents with OUD have been impacted through poverty, violence, neglect, and emotional and physical abuse. Although treatment programs may address the family and parental role, few focus on the children. Without building resiliency in a child's mental and physical health, the far-reaching impact of the opioid epidemic will continue.
(Nancy R Ahern, Brandy Mechling, Ruthanne Palumbo, and Elizabeth Woodard. “Children of Parents With Opioid Use Disorder.” J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. March 2021.)
The children are a top priority for Scioto County. Some local politicians have pointed an accusatory finger at the number of drug counseling and rehab centers in the area, saying that they are to blame for the Children Services problem, that they bring in “people” from other areas, and aren't doing an adequate job of rehabilitation.
Davis has said he believe counties should “take care of their own people, have their own rehabs and mental health services.” He opposes more people coming into the county to seek treatment and believes Scioto does not need more rehabs to meet demand.
Let me remind you. I know you haven't forgotten, but this needs to be said because it relates directly to the problems facing Children Services. Scioto County has risen from the ashes of Pill Mill devastation. People here have supported efforts to stop the opioid epidemic and treat those suffering from addiction. In this sense, we are a model for the nation. If you haven't read Sam Quinones's Dreamland, you should. Quinones people in the area – the “community” – opening themselves up to their neighbors and addressing “problems and pains together.”
Not too long ago, the area couldn't get enough professional facilities to treat those who were being crippled and dying. A tremendous amount of effort was expended to bring all phases of the government – county. Portsmouth City, state – together to save lives and drive the evil Pill Mills and their greedy ownership out of the county. That effort was accomplished by clinical study, compromise, and solution.
I can see that a stigma continues to exist – the truth is that many people, including some of those in high places, don't want any association with, attachment to, or even mention of the devastation wrought by the drug trade because they fear the negative perception associated with addiction will hinder progress. They see too many rehabs or recovering addicts as “bad for the growth potential of the area” or indicative of past failure.
I think the truth is that these officials and all the rest of us in the county own the problems we now face. For many years, we scoffed at, failed to react to, or simply ignored the effects of opioids in our midst. When we did react – with great efforts and results I might add – we had our backs against the wall and had to completely change our strategies for winning the fight to reclaim Scioto County.
Now, not long after monumental efforts by the Drug Action Team and others, there are many people who wish to distance themselves from an image they don't particularly like – Scioto County is still in recovery and the business of healing and reconstruction is everywhere. People may not like that; they may not think it is “pretty”; they would much rather build skate parks, pump tracks, and other beautiful, popular additions to the area rather than spend time focusing on addiction and treatment.
After all, anyone who knows about the difficult job of working in rehab knows it's a thankless job that requires getting your hands dirty. And, they know the pitfalls of recovery all too well.
Successful treatment for drug and alcohol addiction requires customization, continual evaluations, and modifications when necessary – all delivered by medical professionals using evidence-based therapies and medications. Relapse rates for drug and alcohol use resemble those of other chronic diseases, including hypertension and diabetes with an estimated 40-60% of individuals relapsing while in recovery.
(Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse. July 2020.)
Unfortunately, less than 42% of the individuals who enter treatment for drug and alcohol abuse complete it.
Individual success in treatment depends on several factors, including:
The frequency, duration, and type of drug used.
Criminal behaviors.
Family and social environments.
Educational background.
Employment status.
Additional physical and mental health conditions.
(Measuring the Effectiveness of Drug Addiction Treatment. National Institute on Drug Abuse. March 30, 2004.)
And, perhaps most important to understand: addiction is a chronic condition, so for some, relapse, or a return to drug and alcohol use, is part of the process. Newer treatments are meant to help reduce the risk of relapse, and an aftercare plan helps people stay the course even after they’ve completed a treatment program.
And, thank God – research indicates that most individuals who receive and REMAIN in treatment stop abusing drugs and alcohol, reduce their criminal activity, and improve their social and psychological functioning.
(Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition). National Institute on Drug Abuse. January 2018.)
Relapse is not an indicator of failed treatment. It means that the individual needs to contact their physician or other healthcare provider to resume treatment, modify modalities, or try a different rehab approach.
So, to close, I believe whatever the complicated, messy, and difficult battle we face while fighting an opioid epidemic must be tackled with patience, dedication, and research-based solutions. Frustrations with the rehab and reconstruction are part of the territory. The solutions are extremely complicated as you can see. They are all tied to education, employment, and potential criminal behavior. And, sadly, they are all tied to the home environment and … children.
Whatever “advisory capacity” the Scioto County commissioners take with Children Services, whatever “restructuring of the board” they do to help finance and administer the program, it must be science-based with research and not prone to emotional reaction and negativity. Why anyone would want to cast an exclusive and dark shadow over Scioto County rehabilitation is something I don't understand. These are much-needed services vital to Scioto County's future.
For example, the Counseling Center is the region’s leader in behavioral healthcare. It offers licensed behavioral and primary healthcare providers employing advanced treatments to help patients achieve long-term mental and physical health goals. The Counseling Center leading the way in shaping positive outcomes for mental health, substance use disorder, physical health, and recovery housing. The staff, board of directors, and development committee work hand-in-hand to assure the best treatment.
No one would say to someone seeking treatment for cancer or heart problems – “Don't come here to Scioto County and SOMC for help if you are from out of the area.” The local hospitals are healthcare businesses: they do not erect boundaries for saving lives. The rehabs in our area do the same. The impact these programs have on the county include so many positive outcomes – local employment, money spent in local businesses, and welcome, sober additions to the waning population.
Finally, I will risk using an old idiomatic expression to summarize my view – “Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.” In other words, don't discard something valuable or important while disposing of something worthless. In this case, don't literally harm the children while fixing the old, apparent problems with Children Services.
Now, we all know that bathwater was a precious commodity of the past and families were forced to share it. Perhaps the cliche suggests that by the time young children reached the tub, the water would be tepid and rather dirty. Of course parents would be administering the cleaning, and the image of tossing the cloudy contents of the bath without pulling the baby out first would have been a compelling suggestion to those ancestors even if it never actually happened.
Here is the takeaway in the Scioto County dilemma with Children Services – hasty and improperly conceived decisions can sometimes result in disastrous consequences. Finding the real “good and the bad” in a difficult situation can be frustrating and extremely difficult. It's apparent we now have many babies in murky waters that should be clear and healthful. We must not let those dusky conditions further harm the children.
Rehab and Children Services are definitely intertwined; however, they are two distinct entities. I cannot imagine the pain associated with the separation of a parent and a child. Likewise, I cannot fathom being totally dependent on a cancerous opioid. Yet, these things happen constantly around me. No family I know here in Scioto County has been spared these unfortunate consequences. To merely put up my hands and declare “enough is enough” doesn't do a damned thing to solve the problems. Neither does aimlessly blaming someone else for what went wrong.
I Am a Child
By Neil Young
I am a child, I'll last a while
You can't conceive of the pleasure in my smile
You hold my hand, rough up my hair
It's lots of fun to have you there
I gave to you, now, you give to me
I'd like to know what you've learned
The sky is blue and so is the sea
What is the color, when black is burned?
What is the color?
You are a man, you understand
You pick me up then you lay me down again
You make the rules, you say what's fair
It's lots of fun to have you there
I gave to you, now, you give to me
I'd like to know what you've learned
The sky is blue and so is the sea
What is the color, when black is burned?
What is the color?
I am a child, I'll last a while
You can't conceive of the pleasure in my smile
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