The Lucas County Child Protection Task Force convened by the Board of Lucas County Commissioners is accepting applications from individuals who are interested in serving on the task force.

The purpose of the task force is to bring together essential representatives of our community to look at the necessary supports, partnerships, and services our families need to protect our children.

The task force is also engaging with Casey Family Programs, which works nationwide to influence long-lasting improvements to the safety and success of children, families, and the communities where they live.

Casey Family Programs offers strategic consultation, technical assistance, data analysis, and independent research for child welfare systems, policymakers, courts, and tribes across the country to enhance partnerships, improve practice and policy, and ensure that improvements will endure over time.

In partnership with Casey Family Programs, the task force will review systemic, procedural, and operational issues facing the child protection system in Lucas County. This review will be collaborative, transparent, and evidence-based and result in measurable action steps and goals to ensure our community is doing everything within its power to protect our most vulnerable children.

The task force is seeking individuals who fit into at least one of five categories:

• Individuals with lived experience in the system: examples include, but are not limited to, a foster parent, an individual who lost and/or regained custody of their children, or someone who aged out of the system.
• A professional in the system: examples include, but are not limited to, a group home operator, agency partner, or individual who has employment experience in the child welfare system.
• Safety and criminal justice professional: examples include, but are not limited to, a Toledo Police Officer, a juvenile court judge, or a guardian ad litem.
• Mandatory reporters: examples include, but are not limited to, a teacher, school nurse, counselor, pediatrician, emergency room doctor, social worker, or coach who, because of their profession, are required to report child abuse or neglect.
• Community leaders: examples include, but are not limited to, a faith leader, a community center leader, or a youth mentor.

The task force will not consider individuals who:

• Are involved in active litigation that would pose a conflict of interest with the task force;
  
  
• Have or have had an open child welfare case within the past 12 months;
  
  
• Have been convicted within the past five years of
  • Felony assault or domestic violence,
  • Felony drug trafficking or distribution, and/or
  • Felony weapons charge;
• Have ever been convicted of
  • Felony child endangerment,
  • Sexual abuse or exploitation of a child,
  • Intentional physical harm to a child,
  • Kidnapping, and/or
  • Any conviction requiring registration on a sex offender registry.

Interested individuals should send a letter of interest that explains which category they fit into and includes relevant credentials to Ron Wells, Jr. by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at RWells@co.lucas.oh.us.

Applicants will be provided with a consent to release of information and waiver of liability form that they must sign in order to be considered for the task force. Interested individuals should note this is a volunteer position.

For questions or assistance, contact the Lucas County Commissioners’ office at (419) 213-4084.