SHOWING SUPPORT — OhioRISE Care Coordinator Vicky Filtz shared information regarding the Jefferson County Educational Service Center’s program during the Urban Mission’s annual Back-to-School Bash on Aug. 14. OhioRISE has become a ready source of community support in Jefferson County. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County Educational Service Center’s OhioRISE program has become a source of support for those throughout the community of Jefferson County and beyond. And officials with the program had the opportunity to be a part of this year’s Back-to-School Bash held by the Urban Mission.

Care coordinators were on hand to introduce families to the range of services the program offers during the Aug. 14 event.

OhioRISE is a Medicaid-managed care program for children and youth having complex behavioral health and multi-system needs within the counties of Jefferson, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Monroe, Stark and Tuscarawas.

OhioRISE was formed to coordinate resources and put families in touch with the services available to them. Mission officials planned for approximately 850 students to attend the bash. The number of families attending such an event was the perfect opportunity for OhioRISE Care Coordinator Vicky Filtz to educate attendees about the resources out there.

Filtz noted care coordinators are excellent at connecting families with support, saying, “We’re really immersed in Jefferson County with OhioRISE being able to provide support services to the youth across the county, so we’re just excited to be here today and support them as they get ready to go back to school,” Filtz stated at the bash. “Those that aren’t connected with us can learn about our services. And if we’re something that might be beneficial to them, they can ask for more information or a referral.”

“We saw a lot of faces from across Jefferson County, and we saw a lot of families that we’re already working with,” Filtz said, noting people expressed an interest in the services, wanting to know how to get a referral, as they were unfamiliar.

“Our name is starting to become something that’s more known in the community,” Filtz said. “They know who we are and knew that they wanted to connect and get support for their children.”

Since its inception in March 2022, care coordinators have seen the children they work with improving as they move to their next grade levels. Filtz conversed with excited parents in regards to the program’s fast response and readily-available care coordinators.

“One family I spoke to talked about their kiddo’s need for help with recreational time at home,” Filtz continued. “We were able to use our flex funds to purchase things like a trampoline. This gave the child an outlet for energy after getting home from school.”

Cynthia Lytle, the Urban Mission’s director of community engagement, stated the Back-to-School Bash was an opportunity for families to connect with area agencies. She explained OhioRISE is an important part of this community collaboration, showing students they have the support of the community.

“We’re always glad to partner with OhioRISE,” Lytle said.

Those attending the bash included several students from Steubenville City Schools. Steubenville High School Principal Aaron Newman said OhioRISE has made an impression on the area.

“They’re just a great partner,” Newman stated. “They really help us provide those layers of support. We’ve really had positive experiences with them, reaching out and ensuring those supports are there for families. They’re just a great partner. We’re one big family in this community, and I really feel like the care coordinators are an extension of that. They take it personally and get involved, removing obstacles and providing the individualized support that family needs.”

Cookie West, community navigator with the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, works closely with the program.

“A lot of the families we support through our informational events, as well as our fun, festive events throughout the year, are a part of the OhioRISE network and family,” West said. “I actually referred someone at the bash to OhioRISE. They were looking for support for a loved one who has different complex needs. They’ve been doing a great job of just making sure families are connected and aware of the services and supports within the community.”

To contact OhioRISE, call (740) 792-4011, e-mail ohiorise.info@jcesc.org or visit jcesc.k12.oh.us/CareManagementEntity.aspx.