“Ohio families making up to 200% of the federal poverty level will now be eligible to receive assistance, enabling more working parents to pursue an education or to join the workforce, while knowing that their children are learning and receiving quality child care,” DeWine said.
But the budget also held state-funded child care at current levels and changed the way in which child care providers are paid, in a way that advocates say will negatively impact the sector.
Early childhood advocacy group Groundwork Ohio said the budget secured “modest wins” but ultimately “fails to meet the moment for Ohio’s youngest.”