Dear Governor is an initiative of the Cuyahoga Human Services Chamber, highlighting topics of concern in health and human services. Taken as a whole, however, these letters signal is that impact in one area is not isolated. When a viable workforce is not trained for available living-wage jobs, they cannot access housing, face increased food insecurity, have limited access to healthcare, and so on.
The network of services is intertwined and integral to building a prosperous community.
The Cuyahoga County Human Services Chamber launched in December 2024, just before the human services sector faced unprecedented strain. Nonprofits in our region provide direct services that support our community's safety and prosperity, and account for 12 percent of Cuyahoga County's workforce.
As the new governor, you have a real opportunity to support the people who support Northeast Ohio's people
Our membership spans the range of human services delivery, from early childhood education to senior services; food insecurity and mental health delivery to arts organizations and healthcare services; and includes large, multimillion-dollar organizations and small, grassroots organizations.
The Chamber’s core mission is to “organize collective advocacy, network development, and shared efficiencies for human services nonprofits operating in Cuyahoga County.” As part of this work, the Chamber recently conducted a survey of our 130+ members to collect feedback on the sector’s status amid recent federal policy and funding changes. The findings reinforce a consistent message:
- Over 60% of survey respondents report rising demand for basic needs alongside flat sector capacity; 43% have had to cut services.
- Policy changes have increased administrative and financial burdens through new and increased compliance requirements for organizations and the communities. To cover costs, 26% of respondents reported tapping into financial reserves.
- Even where funding is stable, 80% of respondents report policy changes have affected service delivery, and 87% say ongoing uncertainty limits their ability to invest, expand, or plan.
The letters that follow offer a view from the front lines of Cuyahoga County’s human services sector, highlighting the needs residents and organizations are experiencing, the barriers they face, and how state leaders can help.
Ohio’s next governor will help determine whether these systems grow stronger and more responsive, or whether rising needs continue to outpace the organizations working to meet them.
We hope you, as the potential future Governor for the State of Ohio, will commit to supporting policies that help strengthen the needs of the Human Services sector and the residents we serve.
Read Dear Governor letters from leaders in the health and human service space
How will you support a strong safety net?
How will you support violence prevention?
How will you support refugees, immigrants, and asylees?
How will you support healthy neighborhoods?
How will you support the LGBTQ+ community?
How will you support affordable housing?
How will you support behavioral health?
How will you support students and youth?
How will you support older adults?
Philanthropy supports health and human services
