The Council on Older Persons (COOP) has been a standing committee of The Center for Community Solutions for more than 70 years. As we look back at 2019, COOP continues to distinguish itself as a leading destination for information about senior issues, and a vocal advocate for local seniors. Under the leadership of outgoing COOP chair Catherine Ciha and vice...
November 11, 2019November 8, 2019
Ohio latest state to tackle economics of menstruation
In a previous piece, I briefly described how the passage of House Bill 19, which exempts all feminine hygiene products from sales and use taxes, would benefit both Ohio women who are incarcerated and local governments by allowing county sheriffs to purchase feminine hygiene products tax free. Feminine hygiene products are essential to the health and well-being of women Last...
November 6, 2019November 6, 2019
Election Update: Ohio voters overwhelmingly approve health and social service levies. All but 2 Pass!
Ohio voters in communities across the state overwhelmingly approved renewals, replacements and increases of property tax levies that support health and social services. Few health and social service levy contests were even close, and in many cases 75 percent of voters cast their ballots in favor of the levies. Community Solutions compiled results by examining the final, unofficial 2019 November...
November 4, 2019November 1, 2019
Nearly half of all Ohio counties have a health or social service levy on the ballot
Local property tax levies are an important source of funding for a variety of health and social service programs in Ohio. They fund everything from A (abuse and neglect investigations) to Z (Zika virus surveillance). Community Solutions identified 42 of Ohio’s 88 counties that have at least one levy for health or social services in this year’s November general election....
November 4, 2019November 1, 2019
County council HHSA committee hears update as foster care costs soar
The October 16 meeting of the Cuyahoga County Health, Human Services and Aging committee saw presentations from two community organizations, and also considered several contracts, one of which expands the number of providers in the foster-care system. The number of children in foster care has soared to more than 2,900 children currently in out-of-home care, the highest number in a...
October 28, 2019October 24, 2019
Medicaid Substance Use Disorder waiver is a critical tool
by Loren Anthesin Blog, Medicaid
On September 24, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Ohio’s 1115 Substance Use Disorder Demonstration waiver (SUD waiver). The approval of the SUD waiver represents years of Medicaid policy debate about the role and scale of the behavioral health delivery system as Ohio grapples with the consequences of the opioid epidemic and tries to comply with federal...
October 21, 2019October 11, 2019
Why I’m nervous about the census
by Kate Warrenin Blog, Data, Ohio
The census – the constitutionally mandated effort by the government to count each person living on U.S. soil every 10 years- is one of this country’s original grassroots movements. It is a more significant undertaking than any campaign, or any get out the vote effort. Every 10 years, we try to count everyone. The results of that count impact apportionment...
October 21, 2019October 16, 2019
Ohio awarded federal grants to address, study maternal health
By: Tara Britton, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Hope Lane, Public Policy & External Affairs Associate Ohio was recently notified that it will receive two new federal grants to address maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in the state. These grants come from two separate agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Centers for Disease...
October 21, 2019October 15, 2019
Volunteers teach, advocate, protect, empower and keep hope alive
by Roslyn Kalealin Blog, Celebration
It never fails. Every year, when the winners of the Most Treasured Volunteer Award are introduced, I think “Wow. We are so fortunate to have people like this in our community.” And this year is no different. This year’s honored volunteers include: A single mom who leads dozens of girls on exciting adventures through cheer and community service, teaching life...
October 14, 2019October 14, 2019
Cuyahoga County executive releases new budget recommendations
Cuyahoga County executive Armond Budish released his third county budget last week, the 2020-2021 biennium budget. The proposed budget totals more than $1.75 billion[1] in total expenditures. With questions swirling about the future of the Justice Center, fallout from the jail conditions, questions surrounding an aging population, as well as increased demand in services for children, the proposed budget faced...