Policy Matters Ohio
09/12/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/12/2024 10:48
New analysis of childcare funding in Ohio
New analysis of childcare funding in Ohio
Posted September 12, 2024 in Press Releases
Policy Matters releases the first of two reports
Policy Matters Ohio has released the first in a two-part analysis of state and federal funding streams for Ohio's childcare system. The brief, titled "How Ohio (under)funds childcare" examines funding for the Department of Children and Youth (DCY), created in 2024 through the state budget bill, HB 33.
Much of DCY's annual budget - upwards of $1 billion - is allocated for childcare, primarily through Ohio's Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) program. More than half of that funding comes through a single line item in the federal Child Care Block Grant; another quarter comes from the state's General Revenue Fund. Part 1 of the analysis focuses on these two streams.
"There is a growing movement for better childcare here in Ohio, and that requires better funding," said report co-author Kathryn Poe. "Ohioans need a clear, detailed understanding of how we fund these programs, so we can effectively advocate for our priorities."
Part 2 of the analysis will be released in October and will focus on the 21.8% of Ohio's childcare funding that comes by way of the federal block grant for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It will include recommendations for ensuring more families can access childcare in their communities and more providers can pay staff a minimum of $20 per hour.