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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Medicaid and COVID19: How to use Home & Community-Based Services waivers
Background Many of the 1.8 million older adults who live in Ohio will require long-term care as they age. The Administration of Community Living estimates 70 percent of those older than age 65 will require some type of long-term care as they age, and about 20 percent will need care for five years or more....
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Benefit changes: Redeterminations, requirements affected by coronavirus
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the State of Ohio and Cuyahoga County have issued new guidance surrounding the public benefits many Ohioans rely on, including Supplemental Assistance for needy Families (SNAP), Ohio Works First (OWF) and Medicaid. Medicaid recipients can now utilize telehealth services even for first time appointments. Redeterminations are suspended for 180...
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Ohio General Assembly unanimously passes emergency legislation (House Bill 197)
The Ohio Senate and House swiftly gathered and passed emergency coronavirus legislation (HB197) earlier this week. The bill addressed a wide-ranging set of issues that needed attention in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every element of the bill is effective immediately upon the governor’s signing, unlike most pieces of legislation that go into effect 90...
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Cuyahoga County Board of Health says this is crucial week for the county’s virus fight
The Cuyahoga County Board of Health holds press conference updating citizens the coronavirus pandemic on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Cuyahoga County Health Commissioner Terry Allan said at the top of the Wednesday, March 25 media briefing that he had a “very sobering message for you today and we have a theme – we are...
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When we’re on the other side…
Today at The City Club of Cleveland’s virtual forum, “State Policy During a Pandemic,” our president and executive director John Corlett suggested that, when we’re on the other side of this public health crisis, we should have “community claps” for health care workers and first-responders. What a great idea. We should have “community claps” for...