OhioRISE has once more launched a drive for school supplies for the children they work with in Columbiana County. Donations can be dropped off at the Columbiana Police Department. Care coordinators Megan Graham, left, and Andrea Andrusewicz with Patrolman John Amann said donations are appreciated. (Submitted photo)

COLUMBIANA – OhioRISE is taking the lead with the help of local partners and a generous community to prepare kiddos to start school with everything they need. They are taking up a collection of school supplies for OhioRISE member children. Anyone wishing to donate supplies can drop them off at the Columbiana Police Department at 28 S. Vine St. More information and fliers can be found with area businesses.

Jefferson County Educational Service Center (JCESC) OhioRISE is a Medicaid managed care program for children and youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs in Columbiana, Belmont, Carroll, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Stark and Tuscarawas counties and operated by the Jefferson County Educational Service Center. OhioRISE was formed to coordinate resources and put families in touch with what is available.

The collection began on Aug. 1, with the last day for donations Aug. 15, just in time for school to start.

Care coordinator Andrea Andrusewicz said OhioRISE works with students in about a dozen districts in the Columbiana County area, and the donations make a difference.

“The county that we work in is very rural, there are limited resources,” Andrusewicz said.

Care coordinator Megan Graham said this marks OhioRISE’s second donation drive in Columbiana County.

“Our last drive did pretty well. We had quite a few donations. We made quite a few backpacks.”

Graham estimates care coordinators handed out close to 30 backpacks full of supplies. They are hoping for similar results this year.

They are looking for supplies including folders, binders, pencils and pens. Graham said there is a need for backpacks in particular.

Andrusewicz said donors are encouraged to look at the school supplies lists for the county schools.

“The lists seem to be bigger every year,” Andrusewicz said. She said students of all grade levels could use supplies.

Andrusewicz said hopes are high since word is getting out about OhioRISE. Care coordinators have been active, connecting more families in Columbiana County with services.

“It’s a lot bigger this year. Last year a lot of people didn’t know who we were, now most people I would say at least have heard the name OhioRISE,” Andrusewicz said.

Care coordinators go the extra mile to find resources that many families might not have known were an option. OhioRISE follows the “wraparound” philosophy of coordinating with service providers to ensure the children they work with have the supports they need in all areas of life.

Andrusewicz thanked the police department for hosting the collection. Local connections are central to success and care coordinators form partnerships with law enforcement so police can refer families to OhioRISE.

“We chose the police station because usually they’re the first responders to a youth in crisis,” she said.

She said OhioRISE’s goal is to keep children in the home as the care coordinators work with them.

Graham commended the community’s generosity.

“We appreciate any donations and anyone that does donate. We appreciate anything, small or big.”

After the donation drive, care coordinators will pack the bookbags and backpacks based on school supply lists where the students are attending school and deliver them to the children during their visits.

Patrolman John Amann said the Columbiana Police Department was happy to open their doors as a collection center. He added OhioRISE is a proven benefit.

“Obviously we work closely with a lot of at-need youth, so the police department is more than willing to help out and have kind of a central location,” he said. “We see the needs of some children within the city, the need for school supplies, and also this is a good public place that people are able to come in at all hours of the day in order to drop stuff off.”

Amann said the department looks forward to a continuing partnership with OhioRISE.

“Any time we have any youth that we deal with, we do our best to refer them to OhioRISE. A wonderful resource in order to get kids some help they need to get them on the right track.”

To learn more about OhioRISE, call 740-792-4011, email ohiorise.info@jcesc.org or visit OhioRISE online at https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/CareManagementEntity.aspx.

OhioRISE is also on the lookout for more care coordinators. Anyone interested in becoming a care coordinator, apply at https://jcescvla.bamboohr.com/careers/23.