OhioRISE program will fill need for Jefferson County youngsters

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio — Ohio has found a new way to help children with complex needs through OhioRISE, standing for the Ohio Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence Program.

A Medicaid-based program, OhioRISE launches 20 regional providers to serve children with intense behavioral health needs. The eight counties making up the Jefferson County Educational Service Center District will be served by a grant of $1.1 million. Not only will this program help children, it will provide approximately 150 jobs.

"Really, to me, this is a really exciting day for the Jefferson County Education Service Center,” Chuck Kokiko, who leads the service center, said. “More importantly, is a historical day for Jefferson County itself and for the youth in our county"

In 2021, the state put out a request for proposals for care management entities. That was approved after consideration of the work and programs of the Jefferson County ESC, their experience in health care, online learning, and working with children. The capacity there to make them a good fit for the program was recognized and is now set in place.

"We’re looking at our region anticipated to service about 2,300 kids,” Kokiko said. “With those 2,300 kids, obviously, we're going to need folks to service those. So, what we are looking to employ is in the neighborhood of 150 individuals, full-time jobs with benefits, professional salaries, retirement plans."

The two jobs primarily focused on right now are a moderate care coordinator and an intensive care coordinator. These individuals will identify the children in need and then reach out to the community agencies and help create wrap-around services for these children. In looking at filling other positions needed, as well, there are a few qualifications.

"We’re looking for folks who have experience in the mental health field, juvenile courts, children services, child behavior issues, special education those are the qualifiers for these positions,” Kokiko said. “We are hiring immediately for those."

A care management entity director to oversee the division, someone with a strong Medicaid background is preferred. Along with those jobs, support services are also needed - secretary, custodial, etc.

To find out more head on over to the Jefferson County ESC website, Indeed, Zip Recruiter, or the Jefferson County ESC Facebook page. This is a billable program meaning monies are needed to get this up and running, which is where that $1.1 million grant will begin. The program's goal is to have students enrolled come July 1.

"This is an exciting time for our youth, for our service organizations in the county,” Kokiko said. “Locally, were going to have a voice for Jefferson County ESC. So, we're proud to be able to serve our kids locally."