DeWine’s State of the State centers on policies to improve child health, well-being

Improving access to child care and kids’ health care form the core elements of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s agenda in 2024, as the second-term Republican rolled out a slate of policy priorities focusing on children to state lawmakers Wednesday (Source: “Ohio’s DeWine focuses on children in his State of the State address,” Associated Press, April 10).
 
DeWine said he wants to create a child care voucher program for families that meet income eligibility requirements and to use $85 million in federal funding for grants to expand child care offerings. The voucher program would be open to families that make up to 200% of the federal poverty level, or $60,000 for a family of four. He estimated that it would help 8,000 children.
 
DeWine also pledged to improve various aspects of health care for infants and schoolchildren. Every school should consider starting a school-based health clinic, DeWine said, adding that his administration could help with technical assistance.
 
He said his administration will launch a new pilot program in 11 counties to offer every new mother a visit from a nurse about three weeks after delivering a baby. Visiting nurses can help parents find medical support, navigate breastfeeding or other aspects of caring for an infant, DeWine said.