We have one more chance to influence budget policies in the House of Representatives before it moves to the Senate. Join us Friday morning for updates and an opportunity to advocate.

1. Budget Update
Impacting the state budget in the House
before it moves to the Senate

2. a statewide coalition of over 475
organizations working together to promote
health and human service budget and policy
solutions so that all Ohioans live better lives.
Advocates for Ohio’s Future is…

3. Bill Sundermeyer
State Director
Advocates for Ohio’s Future
Gail Clendenin
Communications Director
Advocates for Ohio’s Future
Jon Honeck
Director of Public Policy
The Center for Community
Solutions

4. Budget Updates

5. BUDGET PROCESS
Governor introduced budget early February
 HB 64 sponsored by Rep. Ryan Smith
Administration officials presented to House Finance
Committee mid Feb. – early Mar.
House Finance Subcommittee on Health & Human
Services held hearings mid-Mar.
House Finance Committee held hearings in April
 Introduced a sub-bill with changes, amendments
 Will send budget to the full House to vote on next
week

6. AOF OVERALL POLICY OBJECTIVES
AOF believes all Ohioans should have the opportunity to
participate in the economy, obtain basics, and pursue
higher quality of life
AOF places heavy emphasis on eliminating poverty, the
effects of poverty
AOF believes that work should allow workers to lift
themselves out of poverty
These goals are challenging in an economy with declining
wages and median income (-13% 2003-13)

7. 1. PERSON-CENTERED WORK PROGRAM
Goal: assess the barriers to work facing Ohioans and
provide support using case management and
Broad program ideas and timelines for case
management were in the introduced budget bill
This week: case management proposal removed from
budget bill to be put in a separate bill,
recommendations released by workgroup that are
similar to AOF goals
Next steps: Get AOF a seat at the table, work with
legislators on the new bill

8. 2. WORK SUPPORT PROGRAMS: CHILD CARE &
EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT
Goal: Increase child care eligibility, make EITC
refundable (more $ back to working Ohioans)
This week: Expect amendment to increase child care
eligibility to be introduced.
Next steps: Watch for child care amendment, work on
EITC with the Senate

9. 3. DIRECT SERVICE WORKFORCE
 Goal: Increase pay, improve conditions, improve care
for workers providing daily care for Ohioans in their
homes
 This week: 6% rate increase for developmental
disabilities IO and level 1 waivers, other related issues
were the focus (like independent providers)
 Next steps: Continue to promote pay increases across
all direct care systems (aging, DD, disabilities, mental
health)

10. 4. ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Goal: Ensure safety of Older Ohioans by building a
statewide APS system, secure funding
APS got $3.2 million in the introduced budget bill
This week: amendment to increase funding was not
included in the sub-bill
Next steps: re-submitting amendment today for $10
million per year, continue in the Senate

11. 5. FOOD ASSISTANCE
Goal: Increase funding for food assistance by $5.5m per
year
This week: funding for food assistance was increased by
$2.75 million per year.
Next steps: Thank House members and continue to ask for
$5.5 million per year increase to meet growing hunger in
Ohio

12. 6. HOUSING
Goal: Maintain funding for Ohio Housing Trust Fund
This week: funding for the Ohio Housing Trust Fund was
maintained
Next steps: Thank House members, monitor in Senate

13. 7. MEDICAID
Goal: maintain eligibility, oppose cuts and reforms that
make keeping coverage more difficult
Introduced bill stopped coverage for pregnant women,
breast and cervical cancer, and family planning in certain
income range
This week: many changes including health savings account
(HSA) proposal
Next steps: restore access for the groups above,
participate in HSA proposal discussion in the Senate

14. 8. MENTAL/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Goal: Support integration into managed care, appropriate
timelines
This week: Budget maintains language that describes the
populations in managed care
Next steps: work with Senate to ensure clear process and
timeline for the transition to managed care

15. 9. CHILD WELFARE
Goal: increase funding to meet growing need
This week: no changes in funding proposed
Next steps: continue to support request for additional
services to protect children in all counties

16. Today: One more chance to
advocate in the Ohio House
Gail Clendenin

17. HOW YOU CAN HELP
Make 2 calls to Finance Committee
members today
Tell the Representatives:
I am a supporter of Advocates for Ohio’s
Future and I care about policies that
strengthen Ohio’s families and communities.
Please review and support the
recommendations of our coalition.

18. Q&A
Unmute by pressing *6 or using the microphone
button on the top center of your screen.
You can also ask a question by typing into the
chat bar.

19. Thank you for advocating
with us today!
Please wait while you are directed to the call
instructions.