When Kayden was 13, he stood outside a church and told his mom this would be the last time. Nine years later, he's a 23-year-old homeowner and mail carrier, and Jessica is a family peer mentor pouring everything she learned back into her community. In this honest conversation, the two share what it took to rebuild their relationship after years of addiction, prison, and living apart, including the grandma who held space for them both, the husband who refused to give up, and the daily work of hard conversations, healthy boundaries, and showing up again and again.

Learn more about the Public Children Services Association of Ohio and the work Mike & Ashley are doing at https://www.pcsao.org.

Jessica and Keyden gave us their full permission to share their story in this format.

Teri was a young mom battling addiction. Haley was the daughter who never stopped believing in her. In this tender conversation with Ashley, the two share what it took to break the cycle, not just from substances, but from old patterns of silence, blame, and false hope. They talk honestly about the hard years, the power of boundaries, and the day-to-day work of learning to communicate as mother and adult daughter. Now, with a master's degree, a career helping others recover, and mother-daughter trips on the calendar, their story is proof that relationships can heal, not just people.

Learn more about the Public Children Services Association of Ohio and the work Mike & Ashley are doing at https://www.pcsao.org.

Teri and Haley gave us their full permission to share their story in this format.

Mike and Ashley are back for Season 3 of the 3,000 Good Things podcast! Get ready for another inspiring season of the GOOD things happening in Child Protection across Ohio.

This episode features Bonnie and Norm sharing their inspiring journey of recovery, breaking cycles, and building a blended family rooted in honesty, trust, and love. They discuss overcoming addiction, redefining identity, and creating a supportive community, illustrating that it's never too late to change and find joy.

Learn more about PACT here: https://pcsao.org/programs-events/pact/

Check out our 7 Guiding Principles here: https://pcsao.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/7-Guiding-Principles-10.30.25.pdf

#3000GoodThings #PACT #ChildProtection #Recovery

In this episode of 3,000 Good Things, Mike and Ashley are joined by Catrina, Amanda, and Ike three family ambassadors serving in Local Advisory Group in three cohort one counties. The group reflects on the power of using your voice, reflections from the PCSAO conference, and hopes and dreams for the future of child welfare.

Learn more about PACT here: ⁠⁠https://www.pcsao.org/programs-events/pact/⁠⁠

Read about the PACT Behavioral Research Project here: ⁠⁠https://www.pcsao.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PACTBehavioralResearchProject.pdf⁠⁠

Find Information about the 7 Guiding Principles of PACT here: ⁠⁠PACT7GuidingPrinciples.pdf (pcsao.org)⁠⁠

#3000GoodThings #PACT #ChildWelfare

In this conversation, Mike and Ashley are joined by Jacqui Fletcher, the executive director of Cuyahoga CountyDivision of Children and Family Services. Jacqui shares her journey and connection to Cleveland, discusses the importance of community, teamwork, and leadership in child welfare. She emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, understanding the impact of poverty, and creating a safe environment for informed decision-making. The discussion highlights the significance of authentic relationships, collaboration across systems, and the importance ofself-care for leaders. Jacqui also reflects on the successes of her team and the impact of their work on the community, reminding listeners that their efforts matter, even if not always recognized in the moment.

Learn more about PACT here: ⁠⁠https://www.pcsao.org/programs-events/pact/⁠⁠

Read about the PACT BehavioralResearch Project here: ⁠⁠https://www.pcsao.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PACTBehavioralResearchProject.pdf⁠⁠

Find Information about the 7 GuidingPrinciples of PACT here: ⁠⁠PACT7GuidingPrinciples.pdf (pcsao.org)⁠⁠

#3000GoodThings #PACT #childwelfare

In this episode Mike and Ashley have the opportunity to talk with Kara Wente, Director of the Ohio Department of Children and Youth and Angela Sausser, Executive Director of the Public Children Services Association of Ohio. We discuss their method of nurturing hope and celebrating wins, their approach to engaging individuals with lived experience, and the advice they would give their younger selves.

We’re back! Mike and Ashley are joined by Tori and Mariah, two members of a PACT Local Advisory group committed and on fire for cultural change. This conversation delves into the experiences and insights of individuals involved in the PACT initiative, focusing on their personal journeys, challenges faced in child welfare, and the importance of empathy and understanding in building relationships with families. The discussion highlights the role of family ambassadors, wishes for future cohorts, and the significance of self-reflection and growth in the field.

Learn more about PACT here: ⁠⁠https://www.pcsao.org/programs-events/pact/⁠⁠

Read about the PACT BehavioralResearch Project here: ⁠⁠https://www.pcsao.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PACTBehavioralResearchProject.pdf⁠⁠

Find Information about the 7 GuidingPrinciples of PACT here: ⁠⁠PACT7GuidingPrinciples.pdf (pcsao.org)⁠⁠

#childwelfare #3000GoodThings #supervision #cultural change #implementation #social work

In this conversation, Mike and Ashley are joined by Tammy Osborne-Smith, Director of Jackson County JFS, to continuetheir series on leadership. They discuss the importance of investing in staff and organizational culture, and the significant challenges that come with leadership roles. They also highlight the necessity of nurturing hope within teams, and explore how to create a supportive environment that fosters open communication and personal growth. The conversation underscores the importance of self-care among leaders and the need for continuous learning and adaptationin leadership roles.

Learn more about PACT here: ⁠⁠https://www.pcsao.org/programs-events/pact/⁠⁠

Read about the PACT BehavioralResearch Project here: ⁠⁠https://www.pcsao.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PACTBehavioralResearchProject.pdf⁠⁠

Find Information about the 7 GuidingPrinciples of PACT here: ⁠⁠PACT7GuidingPrinciples.pdf (pcsao.org)⁠⁠

#3000GoodThings #PACT #childwelfare #leadership