Ohio incorporates City Connects into its state budget

Ohio has made crucial budget progress that includes City Connects. 

Last May, when we blogged about Ohio, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted had visited Chaminade Julienne High School in Dayton to see City Connects in action. 

“We believe that this is a replicable model that can be used in public schools and other schools across the state,” Husted told WHIO Television. “And we want the new money that’s being put into the budget to serve these students to go to programs like this.” 

At the time, Ohio’s Legislature was considering investing $550 million to provide “wraparound services” in the state’s schools, and City Connects provided a local example of how investment in evidence-based approaches positively impacts Ohio students.

In July, good budget news broke. Ohio’s budget for fiscal years 2020-2021 budget included $675 million over two years for a Student Wellness and Success fund – funding that schools could use in different ways, including setting up a City Connects program. 

 “As I travel the state, I often hear from teachers about students who are struggling with poverty, parental addiction, or even the pressures of social media,” Governor Mike DeWine told WHIO once the budget was approved. “Kids of today are facing unprecedented challenges at home that come with them into the classroom. With this funding, students will receive the wraparound supports they need, so that teachers and administrators can put their focus into academics.” 

“This is an investment in the future of Ohio,” said Mary Walsh, Executive Director of City Connects. “Growing City Connects will help us meet students’ needs so they can thrive, and we hope to continue to demonstrate to policymakers the potential of evidence-based approaches to wraparound services, or integrated student support, to transform students’ lives.”