Launching the state biennial budget process, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has included in his proposed budget a number of early childhood programs and system changes supported by Invest in Children and advocates across the state. Many of these efforts are organized under the Bold Beginnings initiative.
Each state budget process is a long grind of discussion, debate, and compromise between the Governor's Office and Ohio's bicameral legislature. Invest in Children, and our advocacy partners, will be making sure the needs of families with young children are heard. Elements in the Governor's proposed budget we're watching closely, include:
Establishment of a Department of Children & Youth -- This new state department would place children at the core of its mission and would combine functions and programs currently spread over six state agencies -- ensuring better coordination and elimination of duplicative programs and administrative processes.
Expanded Eligibility for Access to the Publicly Funded Childcare (PFCC) Subsidy -- Eligibility in Ohio is currently limited to families at or below 142 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), ranking Ohio's level near the bottom of all states. Eligibility would raise to 160 percent of the FPL. While this proposed increase would represent progress, it falls short of what is fully needed to meet the needs of working families, and advocates across the state are aligning behind a push for a PFCC program with eligibility set to at least 200 percent of the FPL -- a level many other states have adopted.
Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) -- As introduced, the budget proposal would invest $20 million over the biennium to expand access to ECMH services. This new investment would come close to doubling the number of children and youth served.
