News and Notes From Invest in Children - April 2023
Request for Proposals: Enhancing IECMH Services
The Cuyahoga County Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Funders Task Force has come together to identify ways they can collectively work together to expand and strengthen the availability of early childhood mental health services in the County. The task force seeks to engage a consultant to lead the provider community through a process to identify options for how enhanced collaboration can achieve this purpose, provide a cost/benefit/complexity analysis of viable options, and make recommendations for collective investment or other coordinated activity. The Educational Services Center of Northeast Ohio has released an RFP to solicit consultant proposals.  Open the RFP below. Proposals are due May 1, 2023
State Budget is Big Opportunity for Young Families
The development of the next State of Ohio budget is a big opportunity for families with young children. Governor DeWine has put into his budget request to the legislature, several items that Invest in Children and advocates across the state support, and that we feel advance important health and human service programs and benefits for families.

During a hearing of the House Finance Sub-Committee on Health and Human Services on March 22, Invest in Children provided testimony in support of four issues we feel meet important needs.
  • Raising initial eligibility for Publicly Funded Childcare from 142 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to 160 percent.

  • The creation of a state Department of Children and Youth.

  • Raising Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women and children to 300 percent of the FPL.

  • Establishing continuous Medicaid eligibility for children 0 to 3.
My late-April, the budget process will move over to the Ohio Senate where public testimony, debate and negotiations will continue. Invest in Children will be monitoring these and other issues during this process and working collaboratively with early childhood advocates across the state to ensure the needs of families with young children are heard.
Being Heard: One Legislator at a Time
Invest in Children joined forces with more than 400 advocates from across Ohio to support Groundwork Ohio's 2023 Advocacy Day in Columbus.

Hosted at the Ohio Statehouse, the day was an opportunity to recognize legislators who have made important contributions to advancing early childhood issues, and meet with others to request their support in investing in Ohio's future by investing in the health, education and welfare of its children.

Invest in Children met with legislators and staff of the Cuyahoga County delegation, including: Senator's Matt Dolan, Jerry Cirino, and Vernon Sykes; and Representative Tom Patton.

In addition to the state budget priorities listed above, we shared how important it is for the state to adequately invest in developing the early childhood workforce and adjust state reimbursement policy to help providers reach financial stability.
Medicaid Coverage Changes Are Here
What you need to know
Important changes are happening in Medicaid and the help of health and human service providers is needed to keep clients informed.

The Medicaid continuous coverage change that prohibited recipients from being disenrolled during the pandemic expired March 31. This is causing some members to be disenrolled now, with the first round of termination letters being sent this month to those who are no longer eligible.

What clients need to do: Make sure contact information is up to date to receive important notices. This can be done online at benefits.ohio.gov or by calling 1-844-640-OHIO. It is important to watch for any notices and respond right away to the renewal packet and/or any other request for information. 

When renewing their Medicaid benefits, clients DO NOT need to call or complete an interview. They should wait until they receive a letter with a Renewal Form, and they should complete and return it as soon as possible.
Cuyahoga County Office of Early Childhood
Invest in Children