COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is announcing proposed budget changes to the state’s foster care system.
Among DeWine’s new proposals:
- $32 million to expand OhioSTART Program.
- $24 million will help bring Wendy’s Wonderful Kids to every county.
- $10 million toward foster parent recruitment.
- $10 million to implement evidence-based programs.
- $1.5 million to recruit and train college students in children services.
- $1 million to create a statewide ombudsman.
According to DeWine, there are more than 15,000 children in Ohio’s foster care system and often that system focuses more on adults than the children it is meant to serve. More than 3,000 children await adoption.
“These kids only have one chance to grow up, so it is imperative that we get this right,” said DeWine.
The expenditures appear in DeWine’s Executive Budget Proposal for fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
The proposed Executive Budget “blue book,” including Governor DeWine’s full budget recommendations, can be found on budget.ohio.gov.