Rep. Galonski announces $347.9 million for unemployment, health and other COVID-19 supports for Ohioans

Funds come as coronavirus cases continue to surge due to delta variant

September 20, 2021

Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) announced today that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including the allocation of $175.3 million in federal funds to improve the processing of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims to support Ohioans who lost their jobs during the pandemic through no fault of their own, as well as the allocation of $106 million to purchase at-home COVID-19 testing kits, which have been difficult for Ohioans to access due to increased demand for tests and limited supply.

The Controlling Board also allocated $1.8 million for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to support existing CASA programs and establish new special advocate programs in areas of Ohio that are not served by an existing program.

“During my time as a magistrate in the juvenile division of the court of common pleas, I was privileged to learn about the extraordinary work performed by Court Appointed Special Advocates. These Ohioans come from all walks of life and dedicate a minimum of 40 hours of initial training to be the voice of children for the Juvenile Division. I know that this program expansion will benefit Ohio families in need,” said Rep. Galonski.

The Controlling Board approved other measures Monday to support Ohioans amid the coronavirus pandemic, including:

$47.1 million from the federal government to promote nutrition and combat hunger;
$12 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to support Ohio’s seniors and Area Agencies on Aging;
$2.8 million to distribute and administer COVID-19 vaccinations;
$2.8 million over the next two years to provide care for Ohioans on Medicaid;
$136,149 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.