Families of children with developmental disabilities or mental illnesses work hard every day to create loving and safe environments for their families.  When their child grows into a teenager with behavioral issues or violent outbursts, these families find themselves in a desperate situation.  Private insurance and Medicaid do not fund the necessary services that these multi-system youth need.  In order to get access to help, parents are often forced to surrender custody of their children to a county agency.  It is hard enough for parents suffering from trauma experienced in their own home.  Imagine compounding this pain with the fear and stigma of custody relinquishment.  It doesn't have to be this way.  The Ohio General Assembly has the ability to support programs that prevent custody relinquishment in the next biennial budget.  In addition to monetary support for multi-system youth, we call on our legislators and the administration to adopt a policy of zero tolerance for custody relinquishment.