Children services officials are celebrating a proposal from Gov. Mike DeWine that nearly doubles the amount of state funding that goes towards their cause. They say this is the first indication in a long time that the state is taking issues like foster care seriously. DeWine wants to pump $74 million into the family and children services fund, bringing the total annual amount to $151 million.He says this money will help connect foster care kids with homes and bring at-risk children the resources that they need. DeWine says half of Ohio’s counties don’t have local levies, so an increase in state support can go a long way.“I’ve talked to local children services directors from counties where they didn’t have a local level and I said well how do you guys get by? And they look at me and they say ‘we don’t,'” says DeWine.DeWine is also proposing a funding boost for other programs such as coordinated care and counseling for at-risk children, and foster family recruitment.DeWine’s budget comes out next week, and then lawmakers will decide on it. Copyright 2019 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.
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Mike DeWine Proposes Dramatic Increase To Children Services Funding
