March 26, 2024

The Legislative E-Update is provided by the Ohio ESC Association to Ohio’s ESCs, their client school districts, and other key education stakeholders.

EACH LEGISLATIVE E-UPDATE INCLUDES:

• Latest News from Capital Square - elections, specific bills of interest and other news
• Legislative Tracking Report - pending education bills of interest listed in order by last action date. Links to the state bill page for analyses or fiscal notes included.  

HIGHLIGHTS:

The Ohio Legislative Children's Caucus Monday discussed chronic absence issues and how exclusionary discipline practices can affect them. Presentations were given by Patrick Hickman, the state's attendance advisor within the Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) Office of Whole Child Supports, and Kim Eckhart, data manager at the Children's Defense Fund-Ohio. Opening the discussion, Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) said chronic absenteeism is "a pressing issue affecting Ohio's educational landscape."

Gov. Mike DeWine this week announced the award of $5 million from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) to 19 community- and faith-based organizations serving pregnant women and newly parenting families. Funds will help communities launch or expand services to improve infant and maternal health and support new families up to 12 months post-partum.

CUSTOMIZE AND SHARE WITH YOUR ESC STAFF AND MEMBER DISTRICTS

This update was developed as an option for you to use with your ESC staff and client districts. You are welcome to add your own logos and customize as needed. Please give credit to OESCA as appropriate. Thank you for your ongoing support of OESCA and Ohio’s network of ESCs.

The Ohio Educational Service Center Association | oesca.org