At the end of January, the DeWine Administration released a state budget proposal that featured several recommendations for funding, programs, and structure of state government programs. Among these recommendations, one pertinent proposed change was that of a new Department of Children and Youth.
This new department proposal is expected to be created in July 2023, and will help “reduce duplicative programs in state government while also increasing service delivery and administrative efficiency.”
To execute these plans, the new Department of Children and Youth will combine resources from six existing state agencies including: Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), The Department of Education (ODE), Department of Health (ODH), Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), Department of Medicaid (ODM), and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (ODMH).
Along with the proposal itself, the DeWine Administration has clarified the new department’s goals. The program’s three primary goals consist of (1) supporting Ohio families, (2) preventing child abuse and neglect, and (3) preparing and educating children to ensure readiness for school and beyond. The budget for the proposed department will be sourced mostly from federal funding.
Medicaid in particular will be an important funding element for the new department, considering its focus on children and its role in paying for healthcare services for more than 3 million Ohioans. Visit this page to learn more about which programs were shifted to the Children and youth Department in the new proposal.
