***For Immediate Release *** May 8, 2020
Kim Eckhart, KidsCount Project Manager Tracy Nájera, Executive Director
614-312-8469 614-221-2244
keckhart@childrensdefense.org tnajera@childrensdefense.org
Ohio organizations predict surge in child welfare referrals as Ohio reopens, urge Congress to provide relief
Statewide child welfare and advocacy organizations call for Congress to strengthen systems to protect children by requesting emergency funding in the next COVID-19 relief package.
COLUMBUS — Statewide child welfare and advocacy organizations issued a letter of support to Ohio’s congressional delegation calling for emergency relief for state and local child welfare agencies in advance of a predicted surge of referrals. The child welfare system benefited from much needed increases in funding in the current state budget and those increases may be in jeopardy given the state’s economic downturn. The predicted surge in referrals and the need for federal relief becomes even more critical as the state of Ohio announced $775 million in budget cuts this week to state agencies and programs. Read press release here.