Early voters and Logan County residents making their way to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 5, for the General Election have one lone county-wide issue this year to decide on the ballot — a 2.15-mill renewal levy for Logan County Children’s Services.
The five-year levy would generate approximately $2.6 million per year for general operating expenses of LCCS. The 2.15 mills amounts to $75 for each $100,000 of the Logan County Auditor’s appraised value of property.
LCCS Executive Director Erica James made an important distinction for this levy — it is a renewal, with no new money. In the spring, LCCS proposed a replacement levy on the March Primary Election, which was narrowly defeated by eight votes.
If approved by voters for the Nov. 5 ballot, the renewal levy would first come due in calendar year 2025.
James, who began her director role at LCCS on June 27 following about 16 years of social work experience, said much of the levy funding is utilized by children’s services for purchased care costs, which involves residential care, foster care and group home expenses.
“It’s our biggest expense and serves our most vulnerable and highest-need kids,” said James, a Logan County native who began her career as a child welfare worker at LCCS for six years.
For instance, the executive director noted that for some high-need youths, the cost for care can run between $600-$1,000 a day.
While some children who are in agency custody are eligible for IV-E funding (and then also federal and state funds to pay for purchased care), there are many youths who fall outside of the eligibility guidelines for IV-E funds and local funding must be utilized for purchased care for these children, James said.
Across the state, purchased care costs currently are escalating due to various factors, including the shortage of foster homes and also relating to the additional requirements that have recently been placed upon group homes and residential care facilities and the more qualified staff that they need to hire, the LCCS director noted.
In addition, levy funds are utilized for drug screening costs for families served; along with psychological assessments that are ordered; food and other supplies to meet a child’s needs in an emergency situation; and local contracts, including with Logan County Family Treatment Court, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office for a deputy on duty for 25 hours a week, the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office for legal services and as a funding member of the Logan County Family and Children First Council.
James said she is both honored and excited to return to her roots as the executive director of Logan County Children’s Services.
“We want to create community spaces where we can engage in conversations,” she said this week, noting that she and her staff have recently met with area school district officials, local law enforcement and staff at the Logan County Libraries.
“It is a job of the community as a whole to keep kids safe, and the best way to do that is together.”
Following her initial stint at Logan County Children’s Services as a child welfare worker, James began working at OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, where she worked as a medical social worker for almost three years, addressing the social and emotional needs of patients.
She then expanded her expertise at the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio, serving as an EPSEA Liaison and Coordinator for the past seven years. In this role, she strengthened partnerships with Franklin County Children’s Services, providing academic and social-emotional support to youths in care.