The following statement may be attributed to Angela Sausser, executive director of the Public Children Services Association of Ohio:
“State investments outlined in Gov. DeWine’s biennial budget demonstrate that he continues to prioritize Ohio’s children and families. County public children services agencies working every day on the front lines know that state leadership and investments matter. It is exciting to see such a child-focused state budget outlined by the Governor.
“The budget proposes an additional $60 million over the biennium for children services by expanding the State Child Protection Allocation. The budget also proposes continued investments and additional funding to scale evidence-based solutions like Ohio START, support foster care modernization, address the needs of multi-system youth, support and stabilize families and create opportunities for young people to be successful.
“Children services will transition to the new Department of Children and Youth, as the Governor announced yesterday. This transition holds promise that children and family programs and funding will become more efficient and effective. PCSAO looks forward to working with the DeWine Administration to ensure a seamless transition for county public children services agencies.
“We are hopeful that these additional investments will support communities in strengthening and stabilizing families so that fewer children have to enter foster care, support quality foster homes, address rising placement costs, secure new treatment options for youth with complex multi-system needs and build a 21st century workforce able to achieve better outcomes for children and families. We look forward to working with Gov. DeWine, the General Assembly and local leaders to protect and further these investments for children, families and the children services system.”
