Now that the biennial budget, HB 96, has passed the Ohio House of Representatives, testimony has turned to the Ohio Senate, with a panel of advocates testifying before the Senate Health Committee today.
The County Commissioners Association of Ohio is joining with PCSAO to advocate for funding and policy solutions to the placement crisis for children in foster care. Ross County Commissioner Jack Everson (pictured, left) testified to the dramatic increase in costs in his and neighboring counties that form the consolidated South Central Ohio Job & Family Services. Read Commissioner Everson’s testimony.
PCSAO Executive Director Angela Sausser (pictured, middle) testified to circumstances whereby children must sleep at a county agency and endorsed one-time funding to establish regional child wellness campuses to avoid such a situation. Read Sausser’s testimony.
Highland County Job & Family Services Director Jeremy Ratcliff (pictured, right) rounded out the panel by testifying to the importance of policy language in the budget bill that would bring stability and predictability to rising placement costs. Read Ratcliff’s testimony. Responding to a question about the nature of the “rate card” language, Ratcliff clarified that the state would not be setting rates for providers, but rather ensuring that rates are considered reasonable as required by federal law. The new policy will modernize Ohio’s antiquated system of establishing costs for placement.
Watch the panel’s testimony on the Ohio Channel (marker 1:37:50).