For Immediate Release: Contact: Becca Thomas Wednesday, June 7, 2023 bthomas@groundworkohio.org
Columbus, OH -- Following the Ohio Senate's release of the FY24-25 Budget Bill, Groundwork Ohio is devastated to share that the bill cuts over a half billion dollars to programs that support Ohio’s youngest children and families. These programs were funded in Governor DeWine’s proposed budget and are now at risk of being left out of the final budget. It reverses progress on our most urgent crises including access to affordable quality child care that enables parents to work, bolstering the child care and early learning workforce, programs to reduce infant mortality, and access to programs that address mental health for young children.
Child Care and Workforce Crisis: The current proposal cuts $366 million the Governor proposed to support increased access to quality child care for low-income working families and parents working in critical care occupations, including child care professionals themselves, and diminishes any remaining state commitment to ensuring the quality care needed to support our future workforce.
Infant Mortality Crisis: The Governor’s proposed investments focused on the health and well-being of pregnant women, babies, and children were cut by nearly $35 million, not including the value of the harmful eliminations of extended Medicaid coverage for pregnant women and children up to 300% FPL, children with special health care needs adopted through private agencies and continuous coverage for pregnant women and babies up to the age of three.
Mental Health Crisis: The Governor’s proposed investment in the only state budget line discreetly supporting young children’s mental health was cut by 70% and Family and Children Services were cut by $111 million.
“The depth and breadth of the cuts by the Senate to Ohio’s youngest and most vulnerable children is both devastating and breathtaking. The suggestion that children are responsible for the instability in critical programs, resolving the workforce crisis, saving their own precious lives, and preventing child and family suffering is absurd,” said Shannon Jones, President and CEO of Groundwork Ohio. “Kids can’t vote, but they are forced to rely on those who can. Sadly, the Senate has failed Ohio’s children, reversing course on years of hard work.” Click here for a complete summary of cuts to Governor DeWine’s children’s budget.
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About Groundwork Ohio Groundwork Ohio is a committed, nonpartisan public-policy research and advocacy organization formed in 2004 that champions high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies from the prenatal period to age five, that lay a strong foundation for Ohio kids, families, and communities. Learn more about Groundwork Ohio at www.groundworkohio.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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