OhioRISE – Strong Partner with Union Local

(OhioRISE photo)

OhioRISE care coordinator Vicky Filtz and intern Eli Wilson took the opportunity during a community gathering at Union Local Elementary to share information about the program and the services it provides to young people. OhioRISE works closely with Union Local.

BELMONT – OhioRISE strengthened local partnerships and reached out to families during a community night at Union Local Elementary March 13.

Jefferson County Educational Service Center (JCESC) OhioRISE is a Medicaid managed care program for children and youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs in Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Stark and Tuscarawas Counties and operated by the Jefferson County Educational Service Center. OhioRISE was formed to coordinate resources and put families in touch with what is available.

Anna Bodkin, social worker for the school district through East Central Ohio Educational Service Center Student Support Services, said OhioRISE was a natural choice to invite when she was organizing the event. She has frequently worked with the program and seen its value firsthand. OhioRISE has proven apt at making families aware of the tools out there to help them thrive.

“OhioRISE has been a great asset to us here at Union Local Elementary. Any time I have a referral, I reach out to them. They quickly respond to my referral and they let me know what they’re able to do for our kids,” she said. “I hear from families that they are a great resource to link families to whatever resource they might need, whether for mental health services or if they need transportation. Whatever it is, whatever they’re struggling with, OhioRISE is great and we love working with them.”

Bodkin recalled one case where a family with needs had recently moved into the district and care coordinators worked efficiently to find providers that met those needs.

“They linked them with a multitude of services that they didn’t know because they were new to our district.”

She estimated about 200 people attended the family fun night and had the opportunity to hear about providers including OhioRISE.

Care Coordinator Vicky Filtz said OhioRISE has had a presence in Union Local since the program’s inception in 2022 and time has strengthened that partnership. Care coordinators are always finding new ways to help.

“We have worked with them very closely for a lot of different families, a lot of different situations to figure out how we can support them in school and in their community life.”

Filtz said this ability to find and connect with services is particularly valuable in the rural counties OhioRISE works with.

“A lot of folks don’t know what services and supports are there,” she said. “Our care coordinators do a really good job of facilitating services that a youth and family need.”

She spoke with many interested families.

ECOESC Community Care Coordinator Jessica Yost said OhioRISE is an invaluable partner in the team supporting Belmont County’s youth.

“OhioRISE is awesome at collaborating with other agencies to have all-around care.”

Missy Smith, a nurse for the school district, said OhioRISE is always there for them.

“They’ve been a wonderful resource for us to coordinate with the families. We have one child right now that has trouble coming to school, has a lot of health issues and they’re helping us coordinate,” she said. OhioRISE has been crucial in getting the child into school with the family’s confidence.

She said OhioRISE also helps to coordinate transportation to medical appointments and counseling as well as securing appointments with eye doctors and pediatrics.

“It’s been a good experience. It’s a good resource for the parents.”

Clinical Director Jackie Moran of the Valley Behavioral Health Therapeutic Autism Center reports productive partnerships.

“They’re able to bring the school and the community resources together so that they’re all on the same page,” she said.

“We’ve had a couple of clients who have worked with them, and they’ve been a good support in finding resources and just helping families when they have kids with needs that are struggling.”

Care coordinator Erica Clark stopped by. She is active in Belmont, Monroe and Harrison Counties.

“It’s very exciting to be working with kids and families in their home and getting families’ needs met by getting

them resources and supports that they can’t get elsewhere or the families don’t know where to go to get those supports.”

Care coordinators have many accomplishments in their counties. Clark recalled one case where she helped improve the educational setting of a child with autism.

“In our area, you just have to know where to look to find different therapies or different support groups,” she said. “Peer support is a big one in our area. Peers helping peers.”

Clark had worked as an educator at Union Local and saw the needs that OhioRISE could fill.

“I love helping kids and a I felt like there weren’t enough resources or parents didn’t know where to go,” she said. “I’m glad that I’m able to give back and help do that.”

She is optimistic as word of the program continues to spread and more young people are registered.

“OhioRISE is a great program to be involved in.”

Sheriff James Zusack was in attendance and took the opportunity to learn more about OhioRISE. He said he w keep the information in mind and convey it to his road deputies.

To learn more about OhioRISE, call (740) 792-4011, email ohiorise.info@jcesc.org  or online.