Episode 63 - Dotty Meier & Anne Gross - Child Protective Services Levy

 Ep. 63 — Anne Gross and Dotty Meier on Clermont County Children’s Protective Services, Child Safety, and the May Levy We start this week with news from around Clermont County and the region, including a lawsuit over a proposed Amazon Web Services data center in Wilmington, Clermont County Public Health’s new three-year Community Health Improvement Plan, a 911/Public Safety Services update, tuition-free kindergarten coming to Milford Schools, Batavia Township’s proposed coordinated development district, Bethel’s America 250 patriotic decorating contest, and a New Richmond reminder about garbage can rules. Interview — Anne Gross and Dotty Meier, Clermont County Children’s Protective Services and Clermont County Job and Family Services Anne Gross and Dotty Meier join us to talk about the Clermont County Children’s Protective Services levy on the May ballot and why the agency is again asking voters for support after the levy failed by a narrow margin in November. We talk about what changed in their outreach effort, why they see the campaign as an education effort, and how they are working to explain what CPS does and where levy dollars go. We also get into the day-to-day work of Children’s Protective Services, including how reports of abuse and neglect are handled, how the agency works to preserve families when it is safe to do so, and why removing a child from the home is treated as a last resort. Anne and Dotty explain the role of kinship care, foster care, parent education, case management, supervised visitation, mental health support, substance abuse treatment, transportation, independent living services, and other supports that help children and families stabilize. A major focus of the conversation is the rising cost of child placement. Anne and Dotty explain how placement costs have increased over the current levy cycle, why those costs are difficult to control, and how a lack of preventive services can create a cycle that leads to more removals and higher long-term costs. They also discuss the broader impact on schools, law enforcement, courts, and the community when families do not get support early enough. We also talk through the details of the levy, including the proposed 0.2-mill increase, the estimated additional cost of $6.99 per year per $100,000 of home value, and why they believe the funding is needed to keep services running without draining reserves. The conversation also covers ballot language, issue-only voting, and how residents can learn more or get involved with the Keep Clermont Kids Safe campaign. News  Wilmington residents sue over zoning changes tied to a proposed Amazon Web Services data center  Clermont County Public Health releases its 2026–2028 Community Health Improvement Plan  Clermont County Public Safety Services shares staffing, call volume, technology, and 2026 goal updates  Milford Schools announces tuition-free kindergarten beginning next school year  Batavia Township continues discussion on a proposed coordinated development district zoning amendment  Tate Township promotes the Bethel Area patriotic decorating contest for America 250  New Richmond reminds residents about garbage can placement and pickup rules Events  Spring Native Plant Sale at Cincinnati Nature Center  Forage Tea Time and Hike: Wild Blackberry Blooms at Clingman Park  Spring Migration Bird Walk at Chilo Lock 34 Park  Mother’s Day Sun Catcher Workshop at Sycamore Park  JFB Truck Pull Event at the Clermont County Fairgrounds  Plainsight HC at Jester’s Cards and Games  Michelle Robinson Band at Little Miami Brewing Company  Loveland Farmers Market Opening Day  Escape Into Calm Teen Nature Challenge at Pattison Park  Williamsburg Garden Club Annual Plant Auction  DIY Scented Candles at Clingman Park  Steve Newman Worldwalker Audio Trail Dedication at East Fork State Park  Birds and Blooms at Shor Park  Kids Fishing Derby at Pattison Park  55th Annual Appalachian Festival in New Richmond  Creative Calm Women’s Sip and Paint Social at Hartman Log CabinFollow on Facebook & Instagram, and signup for the Thursday newsletter.FacebookInstagramNewsletterIf the show brings you value, consider supporting us!Donate