Rep. Russo announces $4.6 million for maternal and infant health, veterans' homes, and criminal justice system to support Ohioans amid pandemic
Today, Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) announced the State Controlling Board approved several requests for funding to support some of Ohio’s most important and vulnerable populations during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“As this pandemic continues, it is important that we keep Ohioans healthy and safe, especially the most vulnerable amongst us,” said Rep. Russo. “These funds will provide critical assistance to struggling Ohioans through needed technical, medical, and counseling services. These dollars will also fund key data initiatives that will allow us to make informed decisions post-pandemic. Such investments will help all Ohioans as we work to mitigate the ongoing pandemic and begin looking at post-recovery.”
The Ohio Department of Health will receive $68,967 to contract with the U.S Census Bureau to sample an additional 5,205 Ohio households for the 2021 National Survey of Children’s Health. This survey produces critical data on physical, emotional, and behavioral health of children, and these additional households will allow for better estimates on the impacts of race and ethnicity.
The Controlling Board also approved $99,405.56 for the Department of Veterans Services to continue measures to maintain low COVID-19 infection rates and care for veterans at Ohio’s Veterans’ homes.
Additionally, $4 million was approved for the Ohio Department of Medicaid to support the Multi-system Youth Custody Relinquishment program’s goals of providing technical assistance to children and families with complex multi-system needs and working to prevent custody relinquishment of children when it would have occurred due to a need for treatment. $156,000 was also approved for renewed jail telehealth services, which will support individuals in custody with an opioid use disorder through telehealth assessments, medication assisted treatment, and counseling and behavioral health services.