Rep. Sobecki announces Funding to support Ohio's children and State Unemployment Operations

COLUMBUS – Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) announced today that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including $121.2 million from the American Rescue Plan to support homeless youth, preschool students and children with disabilities, as well as nearly $18.5 million to help support Ohio’s battered Unemployment System.

“The American Rescue Plan continues to help protect Ohio’s most vulnerable children and working families. Additionally, the funding for Unemployment Operations will hopefully help to plug holes in the system and help struggling Ohioans receive the benefits they deserve,” said Rep. Sobecki. 

The Controlling Board approved a number of other measures on Monday, including:

·         $11.7 million to answer calls regarding unemployment insurance and benefits;

·         $10 million in CARES Act funds to provide body cameras for employees Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections and the Department of Natural Resources;

·         $7.6 million for workforce training and equipment purchases;

·         $5 million in American Rescue Plan funds for the Ohio Exposition Center;

·         $5 million to enhance public safety at Ohio’s public colleges and universities;

·         $4.9 million to provide Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, eliminate fraud and adjudicate claims;

·         $1.5 million to process traditional unemployment benefits;

·         $325,000 to identify ineligible people claiming benefits from ODJFS’ public programs;

·         $314,000 over the next two years to improve pediatric care, with a special emphasis on serving minority patient populations;

·         $261,684 to confront infant mortality by implementing the BABY & ME – Tobacco Free Program.