Low-income families with children across Ohio are receiving a much-needed boost in food assistance this summer, thanks to the continuation of the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program. In June 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved two plans by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) to...
On Friday, July 1, 2022, the OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence) Medicaid program for youth with complex behavioral health and multi-system needs launched after years of development. OhioRISE seeks to bring comprehensive, coordinated care and new and enhanced services to children and youth with the most complex needs. OhioRISE seeks to bring comprehensive,...
On June 13, 2022, the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) announced a new contract with Conduent State & Local Solutions, Inc. to manage Ohio’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) and Electronic Payment Card (EPC) Systems for the State of Ohio. This is an important development for Ohioans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or...
June is Pride Month, a time of celebration for the LGBTQ community, and we should recognize and honor comprehensive lived experiences. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nationally, “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT) respondents to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey (HPS) were more likely than non-LGBT respondents to experience economic and mental health...
Nearly 20 percent of Ohio children under 18 lived in poverty during 2015-2019. At 19.9 percent, poverty under the age of 18 is higher than any other age group, compared with 13.8 percent for adults 18 to 59 and 8.8 percent for seniors 60 and over. For all ages together, the poverty rate was 14.0...
Cleveland City Council passed an ordinance in 2019 requiring residential rental units built before 1978 to obtain a lead-safe certification to ensure that families, especially children, are able to live in safe environments. Landlords and property managers can engage in either one of the two inspections: a Lead Clearance Examination or a Lead Risk Assessment...
While Juneteenth has been recognized over the last two centuries as Black Independence Day—a celebration commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans—it also serves as a cruel reminder of how long our country has to go before overcoming entrenched systemic racism. It is widely accepted that the first kidnapped Africans to reach European colonies in...
The behind the closed doors state capital bill process finally came out into the open on May 24 when both the Ohio Senate Finance Committee and the Ohio House Finance held hearings on Ohio Senate Bill 343 and Ohio House Bill 687. Both committees heard testimony from Ohio Budget and Management Director Kimberly Murniecks. She...
Ninety days ago, I left my role as President-CEO of the historical and effective East End Neighborhood House. After two decades working in the Buckeye neighborhood, the assignment became clear, I wanted to elevate the voice, value, and engagement of our community to be part of policy and advocacy efforts. The opportunity to serve as...
The flexibility and expansions that kept many households afloat during the pandemic will end when the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) expires, perhaps as soon as July, causing a COVID Cliff. Families still fighting to gain stability will face the end of enhanced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the redetermination of the full Medicaid...
