By: Staff, Public Policy We are excited to share our inaugural blog post on what we are thankful for…the policy edition. We often share updates on health and human services policies, but they aren’t always positive. With this blog, we focused on a few of (but not all) the policy developments that help move Ohio in the right direction. Our...
The Biden Administration Releases Executive Order on Safe AI
On October 30th, 2023, President Biden released an Executive Order (EO) meant to help America take leadership in managing risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The EO is not exclusive to generative AI, but it applies to the definition of AI which was defined in 15 USC 9401(3) as any machine-based system that can make recommendations, predictions, or decisions influencing real...
Climate change’s impact on food security and maternal health
Social and other external factors have been linked to 25-60 percent of deaths in the United States in any given year. It is of utmost importance to study the “causes of the causes” of death and to examine maternal mortality holistically and to examine the impacts that the social and physical environment has on maternal outcomes. Social and other external...
Changes to Remote Opioid Treatment Regulations and House Bill 300
Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) operating in Ohio are subject to federal and state regulations. At the federal level, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 8 regulate Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders, standards, and certification of OTPs. At...
Community stakeholders offer updates on Cleveland’s lead crisis
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week was October 22-28, 2023, where many individuals and organizations across the US held various events to increase awareness about lead poisoning prevention in order to decrease childhood exposure to lead. Organizations in Cleveland participated in this weeklong campaign, including the Lead Screening and Testing Commission, which held its quarterly meeting on October 26, 2023. Led...
Comments on proposed TANF regulations due December 1
Perhaps one of the wonkiest activities as a nonpartisan think tank is submitting comments in the rulemaking process, both at the state and federal levels. Right now, there is an opportunity to comment on some significant changes proposed for the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Last month, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the Department...
How is Ohio managing the Medicaid unwinding process and eligibility?
Key Takeaways The Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee (JMOC) of Ohio’s 135th General Assembly held a meeting at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio on October 19, 2023, where the Medicaid Unwinding process was covered, providing a historical perspective of unwinding. During the meeting, Thomas Aldridge, Manager, Associate Practice Area Director, and Peter Cheesman, Manager, from Public Consulting Group LLC (PCG), a contracted...
Five Things we learned from the Glenn College Leadership Forum
The John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University hosted its annual leadership forum on October 27th. The Glenn College Leadership Forum is an annual one-day conference which is designed to connect professionals working in the public and nonprofit sector. The event consists of keynote talks and breakout sessions led by experts working at the forefront of...
Department of Children and Youth: supports, goals, and leadership
By: Kyle Thompson and Tara Britton Governor Mike DeWine signed the budget for FY (Fiscal Year) 2024-2025 into law on July 5, 2023. The enacted version of this budget funds many different programs and initiatives in Ohio for the next biennium. Community Solutions published several pieces earlier this year covering the final budget for several agencies across health and human...
Redistricting and representation in rural, white Ohio
Key Findings Ohio recently completed a two-year process to create new Senate and House district maps The majority of new districts are comprised of mostly census-designated rural regions 73 percent of senate districts and 63 percent of House districts are majority rural Rural regions comprise about 90 percent of the Ohio’s land, yet only 24 percent of its residents ...