MAHONING COUNTY, Ohio - Leaders across the Mahoning county came together Monday afternoon in an effort to confront what they describe as a growing public health crisis affecting children.

Richard Tvaroch, executive director of Mahoning County Children Service's said number of children with complex behavioral and developmental needs continues to increase, while existing support systems struggle to keep pace.

“This is my 35th year in child welfare, and what we are seeing is more and more multi-system kids,” Tvaroch said. 

Tvaroch noted that  they are seeing more young people whose needs span multiple systems, including mental health care, juvenile justice, child welfare and developmental disabilities services.

To address the issue, the organization plans to hold monthly roundtable meetings bringing together representatives from health boards, county commissioners, juvenile justice leaders and other agencies.

The goal is to identify gaps in care and develop more coordinated solutions.

One of the first priorities is creating a more comprehensive approach to early identification and intervention before families reach a breaking point.

“Too often we reach the point where when we’re getting notified, the family or child situation is so fractured that there’s already a crisis,” Tvaroch said. 

Tvaroch stated a key part of that effort will be determining who responds first when a child or family with high-acuity needs requires help and what steps follow that initial call. He also emphasized the importance of keeping children safely within their homes and communities whenever possible while connecting families with the services they need.