Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) began, customers across the country have been utilizing the convenience of online shopping for more than just clothes and shoes. Online shopping has become one of the most popular ways to obtain food and household essentials as it allows customers to adhere to social distancing guidelines and...
How will we count America? Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are more questions than answers.
As the days of social distancing continue to pass us by, so do the days that the U.S. Census Bureau has left to conduct a complete and accurate count of every person living in the United States. As with many other systems in our society, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench in census plans,...
$750M in budget cuts DO NOT mean consumer Medicaid benefit/coverage cuts
When the Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) announced on Tuesday, May 6 that April tax revenues were $866.5 million short in this year’s budget it didn’t really surprise me. When one considers Ohio’s record unemployment claims, it was expected that income and sales tax proceeds would take a big hit. OBM Director Kim...
Ohioans encouraged to use mental health resources at Governor’s press conference
Community Solutions’ recent survey of groups across Ohio indicated that, despite the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), more than 75 percent of respondents are “very concerned” about the well-being or mental health of their clients, compared to 35 percent who are “very concerned” about themselves. “Your mental health is just as important as your...
Governor releases new guidelines for COVID-19 testing priorities
During the May 4 daily press conference, Governor Mike DeWine reported that trend lines regarding coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths are “not exactly where we would want, but give the idea that we are going in the right direction.” As Ohio businesses begin to reopen and people wonder whether to expect a new surge, he...
Friday webinar series recap: How counties & case workers are responding to COVID-19
The Center for Community Solutions, in partnership with Advocates for Ohio’s Future, hosted speakers from various family service agencies from across the state in a May 1 webinar. The topic of discussion was the impact COVID-19 has had on some of the state’s largest social programs and services and how those organizations have managed thus...
Letter to Ohio’s General Assembly
As we all begin to focus on the state’s recovery, we want to ensure that health and human services are included in this discourse, as a strong safety net is the backbone of a healthy economy and a healthy workforce. The Center for Community Solutions has a longstanding relationship with policymakers on both sides of...
Pandemic EBT: What it would provide for Ohio’s school children
More than 717,000, or more than 1 in 4 Ohio children no longer have access to free or reduced-priced meals that had been offered during the school day prior to the COVID-19 epidemic. Since all Ohio schools have been closed since March 16 in response to the pandemic, these children and their families have endured...
Voting during COVID-19
Last month, Ohio legislators passed an emergency coronavirus legislation (House Bill 197) extending the March 17 primary election to April 28. With this legislation, the majority of voters will be voting by mail with limited in-person available for a select few. How to vote Vote-by-mail. Eligible voters who were registered to vote by February 18...
Seeking Unemployment Insurance? Remember to apply for SNAP too.
Highlights: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides critical food dollars to families facing a loss of income. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SNAP benefits will increase for many and application processes will be streamlined. Families applying for unemployment should simultaneously apply for SNAP, which can be done online at benefits.ohio.gov In response to...