Hi advocates!

This past week the Ohio Senate passed their budget. The bill did NOT include a wage increase for direct care workers or nursing. It is critical to tell your legislator to RAISE THE WAGE for direct care wages and nursing across all health and human service systems. It is critical you make your voice heard!

Find your legislator and their contact here: legislature.ohio.gov

Dear [SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE]:

I am disappointed to see the Senate did not increase wages for direct care workers and nursing in HB 33. We are in the middle of a crisis and it is critical we raise wages so we can live independently in our homes and communities. It is time to build upon the investments of the Governor’s introduced budget and the House passed version and RAISE THE WAGE across all health am human service systems. By only increasing wages in the Developmental Disabilities system the General Assembly is ensuring a workforce shortage across the Medicaid and Aging systems putting people served by these agencies at-risk! RAISE THE WAGE and support disabled Ohioans!

Sincerely,

[NAME]

Lindsey Evans, Communications and Outreach Specialist

Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

Hi advocates!

Senate Finance Committee has announced the final days for public testimony! The substitute bill will be accepted on Tuesday, June 6th at 2:15PM. Public testimony will be accepted on Wednesday June 7th at 3:00PM and Thursday June 8th at 9:00AM both hearings will be the in the Senate Finance Hearing Room. The Committee also announced a potential third hearing on Friday June 9th at 9:00AM in the Senate Finance Hearing Room but this hearing is not guaranteed so make sure to get your testimony in for the 7th and 8th.

SUBMITTING TESTIMONY

If you are submitting testimony to Senate Finance Committee, email dolan@ohiosenate.gov. In your email include the date you want to testify and if your testimony will be in-person or written only. You must send in your testimony 24 hours before the date you want to testify. The Chair will have you email you a Witness Form to fill out before you testify. This form has your contact information and a brief description of your testimony.

If you need any help with this process, email communications@disabilityrightsohio.org.
If you are testifying in person and you are a person with a disability, you can apply for financial assistance:

• The Ohio Self-Determination Association is providing reimbursements for expenses like travel, hotel (if overnight stay is required), direct care costs, or other costs related to traveling to the statehouse to testify.
• To apply for the funds, email Dana Charlton osda2011@gmail.com. In your email include: who is testifying, when you are testifying, where you are testifying (in front of the health and human services finance subcommittee), and what expenses you need covered.
• Then, simply save your receipts, and email them to Dana after the day. OSDA will then provide you with a reimbursement.
• If you have any questions about this, email Dana Charlton osda2011@gmail.com.

GIVING TESTIMONY

Where does testimony take place?

Senate Finance Committee meets in the Senate Finance Hearing Room. The best way to get to the Senate Finance Hearing Room is through the 3rd St. entrance. Once you go through security, you will turn right and go down the hallway then turn left into the next corridor. Once you turn left, there will be an elevator on the lefthand side. You will take this to the first floor. Once the elevator opens, you will be in front of the Senate Finance Hearing Room.

When should I arrive?

After you submit your witness slip, I recommend asking the chair/legislative aide what time you are slated to give testimony. They should be able to give you a time estimate. This way you do not have to sit through the entire hearing. You should plan to arrive 20-25 minutes before your testimony. If your disability impacts your mobility or navigation, allow extra time to make sure you can access the room safely. Be aware that sometimes the committee can run behind. The time they give you is just an estimate. 

What can I expect from testifying in-person?

You will give your testimony in front of the panel of committee members. It feels very official, but do not be nervous! After your testimony, the committee may ask you questions. Sometimes these questions can be odd or be very specific. Try to stay calm and answer your best. If you do not know the answer, you can tell them that you will follow up with them.
The official format for answering a question is to say, “Thank you for the question, Senator. Through the chair to the member…” and then answer the question. However, do not stress about this format too much. Just do your best!

If you include information in your in-person testimony that isn’t in your written version, the committee may ask you to send it to them in an email.

Remember, if you can’t come in person, you can also submit written-only testimony. Written-only testimony is important, too!

We will continue to update you during the last month of the budget process!

Lindsey Evans, Communications and Outreach Specialist
Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

Hi advocates!

With the long weekend ahead, we hope you all take this time to rest. You have all done amazing work over the past 3 months of the budget season. But it isn’t over yet. There will be only a few more opportunities to make your voice heard as the Senate prepares to accept its substitute version of HB 33. We will make sure to keep you updated on when they plan to accept that version of bill along with details on submitting and providing testimony. In the meantime, we wish you well over this weekend and we look forward to reconnecting after the holiday!

Lindsey Evans, Communications and Outreach Specialist
Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

Hi advocates!
We are in the final stretch of the budget process. It is essential you make your voice heard! The Senate Finance Committee will be accepting testimony on the Medicaid and Health and Human Service Systems on Thursday, May 25th at 9:00AM. The is the last opportunity to testify on the current version of the bill (the House passed version of HB 33) prior to the Senate adopting a substitute bill. So, make sure you get your testimony in ASAP.

SUBMITTING TESTIMONY

If you are submitting testimony to Senate Finance Committee, email dolan@ohiosenate.gov. In your email include the date you want to testify and if your testimony will be in-person or written only. You must send in your testimony 24 hours before the date you want to testify. The Chair will have you email you a Witness Form to fill out before you testify. This form has your contact information and a brief description of your testimony.

If you need any help with this process, email communications@disabilityrightsohio.org.

If you are testifying in person and you are a person with a disability, you can apply for financial assistance:
• The Ohio Self-Determination Association is providing reimbursements for expenses like travel, hotel (if overnight stay is required), direct care costs, or other costs related to traveling to the statehouse to testify.
• To apply for the funds, email Dana Charlton osda2011@gmail.com. In your email include: who is testifying, when you are testifying, where you are testifying (in front of the health and human services finance subcommittee), and what expenses you need covered.
• Then, simply save your receipts, and email them to Dana after the day. OSDA will then provide you with a reimbursement.
• If you have any questions about this, email Dana Charlton osda2011@gmail.com.

GIVING TESTIMONY

Where does testimony take place?

Senate Finance Committee meets in the Senate Finance Hearing Room. The best way to get to the Senate Finance Hearing Room is through the 3rd St. entrance. Once you go through security, you will turn right and go down the hallway then turn left into the next corridor. Once you turn left, there will be an elevator on the lefthand side. You will take this to the first floor. Once the elevator opens, you will be in front of the Senate Finance Hearing Room.

When should I arrive?

After you submit your witness slip, I recommend asking the chair/legislative aide what time you are slated to give testimony. They should be able to give you a time estimate. This way you do not have to sit through the entire hearing. You should plan to arrive 20-25 minutes before your testimony. If your disability impacts your mobility or navigation, allow extra time to make sure you can access the room safely. Be aware that sometimes the committee can run behind. The time they give you is just an estimate.

What can I expect from testifying in-person?

You will give your testimony in front of the panel of committee members. It feels very official, but do not be nervous! After your testimony, the committee may ask you questions. Sometimes these questions can be odd or be very specific. Try to stay calm and answer your best. If you do not know the answer, you can tell them that you will follow up with them.
The official format for answering a question is to say, “Thank you for the question, Senator. Through the chair to the member…” and then answer the question. However, do not stress about this format too much. Just do your best!

If you include information in your in-person testimony that isn’t in your written version, the committee may ask you to send it to them in an email.

Remember, if you can’t come in person, you can also submit written-only testimony. Written-only testimony is important, too!

We are in the final stages of the budget process. We will make sure to inform you on the last few remaining opportunities to testify and other ways to continually engage with legislators in the next month of the budget process.

Lindsey Evans, Communications and Outreach Specialist
Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

Hi advocates!

Thank you for all your advocacy over the past couple of weeks in Senate Medicaid and Health Committees. Your voices have been loud and clear, direct care workers need to be paid a living wage. As we head into one final week of Senate Finance Hearings we want to highlight the work of you all and the incredible testimony you have presented to the subcommittee. These are just a select few of some of the dozens of testimonies the members of the General Assembly listened to over the past few weeks.

“I come before you to thank Governor DeWine and the House for their work to bring Developmental Disabilities Direct Support Professionals to $18 per hour and ask if revenue estimates allow it, bring that wage to $20.” – Mark Seifarth, Advocate

“Were I to wake up tomorrow and decide that I’m not seeing Medicaid patients, I would effectively take a 40% raise.” – Trisha Dickerson, Advocate/Nurse

“Every single state that surrounds ours pays Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) nurses significantly more than Ohio does.” – Georgie Elson, Advocate, Ohio Nursing Crisis Committee

“As family members and advocates, we are grateful to Gov. DeWine […] and we appreciate the House for raising the wage […] we ask that you increase the rate to $20/hr.” – Filomena Nelson, advocate

“I’m asking you to show the disabled community that you care about them. Invest in nurses and services and supports for Medicaid Waiver programs.” – Janemarie Sowers, Advocate

“I urge you to keep the Governors’ language in requiring a seat on the county board with no loop-holes. The seat goes vacant until the commissioners do the work because there are plenty of us out here willing and as capable as our parents.” – Renee Wood, Advocate, Ohio Olmstead Task Force

Thursday, May 25th at 9:00AM in the Senate Finance Hearing Room, the Senate Finance Committee will be taking testimony one last time on the House passed version of the budget before they accept a substitute bill. It is important to get your testimony in to the committee one last time!

To submit testimony for the Senate Finance Committee, email Senator Dolan, Dolan@ohiosenate.gov.

You must submit your request 24 hours before the date you want to testify. It is a good idea to get your testimony request in as early as possible, when you know the date that works for you.

Make sure to include in your email what date you want to testify, and if you want to testify with written-only or in-person. The Senators office will then have you fill out a Witness Slip. The Witness Slip includes basic contact information and what you are testifying on. If you have any questions or issues as you submit testimony, or would like access to a copy of the witness slip, please email communications@disabilityrightsohio.org and we can help you with that process!

As the process continues to move forward, we will make sure to inform you of all the important dates, budget information, and when you can make your voice heard in committee. Stay tuned for more information about submitting testimony!

Lindsey Evans, Communications and Outreach Specialist
Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

Hi advocates!

This is the final week to submit testimony to the Senate Medicaid and Health Committees for the biennial budget bill. It is critical to get your testimony in ASAP! As a reminder, testimony is due 24 hours prior to the committee but you should consider submitting testimony earlier if you are requesting accommodations from committee. The final days to testify are May 10th for Senate Health and May 11th for Senate Medicaid. DRO staff will be at the Statehouse on the 10th and 11th to help guide you through the Statehouse and provide any additional support you may need! Below is a comprehensive guide to provide testimony in the Senate!

SUBMITTING TESTIMONY
If you are submitting testimony to Senate Medicaid, email romanchuk@ohiosenate.gov. If you are submitting testimony to Senate Health, email shuffman@ohiosenate.gov. In your email include the date you want to testify and if your testimony will be in-person or written only. You must send in your testimony 24 hours before the date you want to testify. The Chair will have you email you a Witness Form to fill out before you testify. This form has your contact information and a brief description of your testimony.

If you need any help with this process, email communications@disabilityrightsohio.org.
If you are testifying in person and you are a person with a disability, you can apply for financial assistance:

The Ohio Self-Determination Association is providing reimbursements for expenses like travel, hotel (if overnight stay is required), direct care costs, or other costs related to traveling to the statehouse to testify.

To apply for the funds, email Dana Charlton osda2011@gmail.com. In your email include: who is testifying, when you are testifying, where you are testifying (in front of the health and human services finance subcommittee), and what expenses you need covered.

Then, simply save your receipts, and email them to Dana after the day. OSDA will then provide you with a reimbursement.

If you have any questions about this, email Dana Charlton osda2011@gmail.com.

GIVING TESTIMONY

Where does testimony take place?
Senate Health is currently meeting in the South Hearing Room and Senate Medicaid is meeting in the Senate Finance Hearing Room. However, this could always change. You can always ask the chair’s aide to confirm the room number with you when you submit your testimony. Or you can email communications@disabilityrightsohio.org if you want us to double check for you.

Note:
The best way to get to the Senate Finance Hearing Room is through the 3rd St. entrance. Once you go through security, you will turn right and go down the hallway then turn left into the next corridor. Once you turn left, there will be an elevator on the lefthand side. You will take this to the first floor. Once the elevator opens, you will be in front of the Senate Finance Hearing Room.

The best way to get to the South Hearing Room is through the 3rd St. entrance. Once you go through security, you will turn left and go down the hallway the turn right into the next corridor. Once you turn right, there will be a elevator on the righthand side. You will take this to the second floor. Once the elevator opens, you will turn right twice which will bring you to a corridor directly in front of the South Hearing Room.

When should I arrive?
After you submit your witness slip, I recommend asking the chair/legislative aide what time you are slated to give testimony. They should be able to give you a time estimate. This way you do not have to sit through the entire hearing. You should plan to arrive 20-25 minutes before your testimony. If your disability impacts your mobility or navigation, allow extra time to make sure you can access the room safely. Be aware that sometimes the committee can run behind. The time they give you is just an estimate.

What can I expect from testifying in-person?
You will give your testimony in front of the panel of committee members. It feels very official, but do not be nervous! After your testimony, the committee may ask you questions.

Sometimes these questions can be odd or be very specific. Try to stay calm and answer your best. If you do not know the answer, you can tell them that you will follow up with them.

The official format for answering a question is to say, “Thank you for the question, Senator. Through the chair to the member…” and then answer the question. However, do not stress about this format too much. Just do your best!

If you include information in your in-person testimony that isn’t in your written version, the committee may ask you to send it to them in an email.

Remember, if you can’t come in person, you can also submit written-only testimony. Written-only testimony is important, too!

As the process continues to move forward, we will make sure to inform you of all the important dates, budget information, and when you can make your voice heard in committee. Stay tuned for more information about submitting testimony!

Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

Hi advocates!

First things first! Our weekly Friday webinar (4:30 pm) will be hosted at a new link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83378660210.

Please tell everyone you know about this change!

Secondly -

The Ohio House of Representatives passed HB 33, the state’s budget bill, earlier this week. This means the bill will now make its way through the Ohio Senate with public testimony beginning next week. Because of you, this budget has included historic investments like:

• Raising average wages for direct care workers to $17 an hour in 2024 and $18 an hour in 2025;
• Increased investments for centers for independent living;
• New funding for support service professionals for DeafBlind Ohioans;
• The creation of the Department of Children and Youth;
• Drawing all federal funding for vocational rehabilitation services; and
• Reducing the age cap for Medicaid buy-in for workers with disabilities.

In the coming weeks, the Senate will be holding hearings accepting public testimony. We will make sure to inform you of all those important dates, when you can make your voice heard in committee, and how to submit testimony in the Senate Committees. The process is different than in the House and we will make sure to keep you all informed!

Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

Keep up the amazing advocacy!

Early last week a statehouse news report (Gongwer) published an article on the direct care crisis as the headline article! This is all because of the amazing work you have done over the past several months. In the article the Chairman of the House Finance Committee, Representative Jay Edwards, was quoted saying:

“Direct support professionals made strong arguments for increasing average wages to $20 an hour […] These folks are taking care of people with developmental disabilities, taking care of people in our nursing homes, or taking care of people in our adult day services we have around the state. We've got to figure out a way that we have employees doing these jobs. As a state, we've got to figure out what we're going to do about that."

Additionally, the Chair of the Health and Human Services Subcommittee, Representative Sara Carruthers, stated “I think we'll be able to reach that [$20 per hour], but if not, we'll be able to get close.”

The article went on to discuss how several members of the House of Representatives are supportive of raising the wage to $20 per hour for direct care workers. And of all the amendments submitted to the Chair’s office, the Health and Humans Services Subcommittee ranked it as a top priority!

Your testimony, your stories, your voices, your advocacy has been working! The time and energy you all have spent on educating the General Assembly on the need to increase direct care worker wages is having a huge payoff in the House. Although we do not know for certain what the House will do, or if they will end up increasing the wage to $20 per hour, what you all have accomplished is no small feat.

Thank you for all the work you have done so far. We hope to continue this momentum as we shift gears and focus on the Senate in the coming weeks!

Alexia Kemerling, Community Engagement Coordinator
Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

First - a few important and quick updates. We will have NO Budget Webinar TODAY (April 14th), and the next Budget Webinar is TUESDAY, April 18 (same link). Following this we be back to a Friday Webinar on April 28th.

We hope you have been able to get some much-needed rest while the General Assembly is on Spring Break.

Next week, we will be back in force as the House Finance Committee will begin meeting again. This will include them accepting the substitute version of the budget bill and allowing a few days of public testimony. To review:

• House Finance accepts the substitute bill on April 18th
• Currently, hearings for public testimony are slated to occur on April 19th, 20th, and 21st
• Either April 24th or 25th the Finance Committee will then accept the omnibus bill (the final version with additional changes) and vote it out of committee
• Either April 26th or 27th the House of Representatives will vote on HB 33 moving the bill t the Senate

During this time, the Senate Finance Committee plans to begin their budget review with hearings set on April 18th and 19th to hear from the Director of the Office of Budget and Management and other elected agencies like the Attorney General and State Treasurer.
The Senate will review the budget differently than the House. For instance, in the House, the Finance Committee divided the budget bill into subcommittees. For the Senate, the budget will be divided among standing committees. The Senate Medicaid Committee will review the Departments of Medicaid and Developmental Disabilities while the Senate Health Committee will review the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Aging, and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities.

As the process continues to move forward, we will make sure to inform you of all the important dates, budget information, and when you can make your voice heard in committee. Stay tuned for more information about submitting testimony!

Alexia Kemerling, Community Engagement Coordinator
Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

We are entering the final week! 

We are approaching the final week to make your voices heard in the House of Representatives Finance Committee before the first changes are made to our 2024-2025 state budget, House Bill 33. The House Full Finance Committee meetings are set to begin at 9 a.m. in room 313. (Note: the committee will send an email if this changes.)

• April 4th
• April 5th

After April 5th, the committee will be going on a break until April 18th when they accept the substitute version of the bill which includes several amendments to the current legislation. From there, the committee will have an additional week of hearings for the public to provide feedback to the substitute version of the bill.

While the committee is on break, we encourage everyone to take the time to get some much needed rest from your tireless advocacy. When they come back there will be more work to do and it is important, we are all ready for the long road ahead.

Submitting Testimony
To submit testimony, email Representative Edwards, Rep94@OhioHouse.gov. In your email include the date you want to testify and if your testimony will be in-person or written only. You must send in your testimony 24 hours before the date you want to testify. The Chair will have you email you a Witness Form to fill out before you testify. This form has your contact information and a brief description of your testimony.

If you need any help with this process, email communications@disabilityrightsohio.org.

If you are testifying in person and you are a person with a disability, you can apply for financial assistance:
• The Ohio Self-Determination Association is providing reimbursements for expenses like travel, hotel (if overnight stay is required), direct care costs, or other costs related to traveling to the statehouse to testify.
• To apply for the funds, email Dana Charlton osda2011@gmail.com. In your email include: who is testifying, when you are testifying, where you are testifying (in front of the health and human services finance subcommittee), and what expenses you need covered.
• Then, simply save your receipts, and email them to Dana after the day. OSDA will then provide you with a reimbursement.
• If you have any questions about this, email Dana Charlton osda2011@gmail.com.

Giving Testimony
Where does testimony take place?
The committee room is subject to change. You can always ask the chair’s aide to confirm the room number with you when you submit your testimony. Or you can email communications@disabilityrightsohio.org if you want us to double check for you.
Right now, testimony for this committee is taking place in the House Finance Hearing room. This is room 313 in the statehouse.

Note: the best way to get to this room is to take the large elevator that is located by the garage entrance. It is the large elevator with green metal bars and clear panes. Take this elevator to the third floor and you will see signs for the Finance room. It is okay to enter the room even if testimony is ongoing. People come and go during testimony, just be quiet and respectful as you find your seat.

When should I arrive?
After you submit your witness slip, I recommend asking the chair/legislative aide what time you are slated to give testimony. They should be able to give you a time estimate. This way you do not have to sit through the entire hearing. You should plan to arrive 20-25 minutes before your testimony. If your disability impacts your mobility or navigation, allow extra time to make sure you can access the room safely. Be aware that sometimes the committee can run behind. The time they give you is just an estimate.

What can I expect from testifying in-person?
You will give your testimony in front of the panel of committee members. It feels very official, but do not be nervous! After your testimony, the committee may ask you questions. Sometimes these questions can be odd or be very specific. Try to stay calm and answer your best. If you do not know the answer, you can tell them that you will follow up with them.

The official format for answering a question is to say, “Thank you for the question, representative. Through the chair to the member…” and then answer the question. However, do not stress about this format too much. Just do your best!
If you include information in your in-person testimony that isn’t in your written version, the committee may ask you to send it to them in an email.

Remember, if you can’t come in person, you can also submit written-only testimony. Written-only testimony is important, too!

As the process continues to move forward, we will make sure to inform you of all the important dates, budget information, and when you can make your voice heard in committee. Stay tuned for more information about submitting testimony!

Alexia Kemerling, Community Engagement Coordinator
Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

Hi advocates!

Thank you for all your advocacy over the past month by submitting testimony, meeting with legislators, and showing up to the statehouse for committee hearings. Your voices have been loud and clear, direct care workers need to be paid a living wage. With the Finance Subcommittee on Health and Human Services wrapping up their hearings on the budget this week, we want to highlight the work of you all and the incredible testimony you have presented to the subcommittee. These are just a select few of some of the dozens of testimonies the members of the General Assembly listened to over the past few weeks.

“Please help us make strides in solidifying our direct care workforce with raising their wage floor and making sure it reaches the hands of the caregivers.” – Jennifer Kucera, Advocates, Ohio Olmstead Task Force, Direct Care Workforce Crisis Committee

“It is time that Ohio recognizes our in-home Direct Care Workforce as the professionals that they are and compensate them appropriately for the vital work that they do.” – Maria Matzik, Advocate, Breaking Silences Advocacy Committee

“If we don’t act now, this crisis will only worsen. Now is the time to increase wages and reduce the Care Crisis, before things become even more dire than they already are.” – Georgie Elson, Advocate, Ohio Nursing Crisis Committee

“I believe it is the responsibility of us as citizens to participate in shaping society and everyone deserves to share their talents within the community.” – Jennifer and Matthew Corcoran, Advocates, Changing Spaces Ohio

“It’s only when you can leave a house every day that it becomes a home, a place you miss. Any place you don’t know how you can leave becomes a prison.” – Justin Martin, Advocate

“Parity in pay is paramount to ensuring all people with disabilities benefit from a pool of direct care workers, and these workers don’t choose a particular service system because it pays more for the same work.” – Renee Wood, Advocate, Ohio Olmstead Task Force

There is just over one more week to make your voices heard to the full Finance Committee before the legislature accepts amendments, goes on Spring Break, and adopts the substitute version of HB 33. Specifically, public hearings will be held:

• March 28th, 29th, and 30th
• April 4th and 5th

Amendments are due at 12:00PM on April 5th. The General Assembly goes on break the week of April 10th and intends to accept the substitute bill on April 18th. After they accept the substitute bill, there will be additional opportunities to testify on the changes the House Finance Committee has made to HB 33.

To submit testimony for the Full Finance Committee, email Representative Edwards, rep94@ohiohhouse.gov.

You must submit your request 24 hours before the date you want to testify. It is a good idea to get your testimony request in as early as possible, when you know the date that works for you.

Make sure to include in your email what date you want to testify, and if you want to testify with written-only or in-person. The representative’s office will then have you fill out a Witness Slip. The Witness Slip includes basic contact information and what you are testifying on. If you have any questions or issues as you submit testimony, please email communications@disabilityrightsohio.org and we can help you with that process!

Remember, if you can’t come in person, you can also submit written-only testimony. Written-only testimony is important, too!

As the process continues to move forward, we will make sure to inform you of all the important dates, budget information, and when you can make your voice heard in committee. Stay tuned for more information about submitting testimony!

Alexia Kemerling, Community Engagement Coordinator
Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

Hi advocates!

This week the Directors of the Department of Medicaid and Developmental Disabilities testified before the House Finance Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. In their testimony, they restated the need for increased wages for direct care workers. The legislators on the Subcommittee asked questions related to increasing wages to $20/hr. Also, several advocates and DRO testified expressing the dire need for direct care workers to be fairly paid in Ohio to support disabled Ohioans’ rights to live and work in their homes and communities.

The Subcommittee will be meeting one final week and then the budget goes back to the full Finance Committee for two weeks of public testimony. The following are important dates to remember as you plan your advocacy efforts:

Health and Human Services Subcommittee will be having its final hearings for public testimony on:

• March 21st, 22nd, and 23rd

Full Finance Committee will be having hearings for public testimony:

• March 28th, 29th, and 30th
• April 4th and 5th

On April 5th, amendments are due to the Chair of the Finance Committee by 12:00 p.m.. After these next few weeks of testimony, the Finance Committee will go on break during the week of April 10th and come back April 18th to accept the substitute version of the bill. The substitute bill includes several proposed amendments all in one single piece of legislation.

Time is limited to make your voice heard in the Ohio House of Representatives during this budget cycle. So, make sure to get your testimony in and let legislators know what you think of the budget.

To submit testimony for the remaining Health and Human Services Subcommittee dates (March 21, 22, 23), email Representative Carruthers, rep47@ohiohouse.gov.

To submit testimony for the Full Finance Committee dates (March 28, 29, 30; and April 4 and 5), email Representative Edwards, rep94@ohiohhouse.gov.

Make sure to include in your email what date you want to testify, and if you want to testify with written-only or in-person. The representative’s office will then have you fill out a Witness Slip. The Witness Slip includes basic contact information and what you are testifying on. If you have any questions or issues as you submit testimony, please email communications@disabilityrightsohio.org and we can help you with that process!

As the process continues to move forward, we will make sure to inform you of all the important dates, budget information, and when you can make your voice heard in committee. Stay tuned for more information about submitting testimony!

Alexia Kemerling, Community Engagement Coordinator
Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

Hi advocates!

This past week the Finance Committee on Health and Human Services (HHS) heard testimony from the Director of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Lori Criss. This budget, the department is highlighting the need to increase funding into the mental health system to expand access to services and grow the behavioral health workforce. Additionally, the Director discussed the desire to work with the Ohio Department of Medicaid to make mental health peer support a Medicaid-eligible expense! Currently, peer supporters are unable to bill Medicaid for peer services. Although much of the additional funding going into the department is from the American Rescue Plan funding, several initiatives include additional state support. Included in the budget proposal:

• A 184.9% increase in funding for local behavioral health boards;
• A 66.7% increase in recovery housing which will include a certification process through the department;
• Increase in residential state supplement by 50% so monthly payments can go from $1,100 to $1,600; and
• A new line item for the 988 Suicide hotline. The state will be providing over $45 million over the two year budget. 

This coming week will be a busy week for the Health and Human Services Subcommittee. Several department directors, advocates, and DRO will be providing testimony. You can tune into the Ohio Channel to watch the testimony! The following are the important dates to remember:

• March 14th the Director of Developmental Disabilities will be testifying;
• March 15th the Executive Director of Disability Rights Ohio will testify; and
• March 16th the Director of Medicaid will be testifying.

The following week will be the last week to provide public testimony to the Health and Human Services Subcommittee. Those dates include:

• March 21st
• March 22nd
• March 23rd

To submit testimony, email Representative Carruthers, rep47@ohiohouse.gov. Make sure to include in your email what date you want to testify, and if you want to testify with written-only or in-person. The representative’s office will then have you fill out a Witness Slip. The Witness Slip includes basic contact information and what you are testifying on. If you have any questions or issues as you submit testimony, please email communications@disabilityrightsohio.org and we can help you with that process!

To read more of the testimony presented to the Health and Humans Services Subcommittee visit the link here: https://ohiohouse.gov/committees/finance-subcommittee-on-health-and-human-services/meetings/cmte_h_sub_health_1_2023-03-01-1000_140

As the process continues to move forward, we will make sure to inform you of all the important dates, budget information, and when you can make your voice heard in committee. Stay tuned for more information about submitting testimony!

Alexia Kemerling, Community Engagement Coordinator
Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

Hi advocates!

Last week, the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council (OSILC) testified in the Ohio House Finance Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. Kevin Flynn, the Chairperson of OSILC, and Melanie Hogan, Executive Director for Linking Employment, Abilities, and Potential (LEAP), requested the centers for independent living line item be increased to $1,500,000.

Currently, the CILs receive $500,000 annually through their budget line item. This is far behind region states like Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. On average, CILs receive $2,600,000 from state funding. The budget request, to bring the amount up to $1,500,000, will still fall behind other states but will have a big impact on reaching areas of our state’s unserved and underserved.

Specifically, Kevin Flynn highlighted how this funding would help putting disabled Ohioans to work, expanding the reach of the CILs, and reach hundreds of more people. And although it won’t meet the full need of Ohio, it will have a significant impact on the work of the CILs throughout the state.

Melanie Hogan highlighted that increased funding to the CILs help to keep individuals out of nursing homes and institutions by providing services that support safe and healthy living in their homes. Additionally, this allows CILS to help transition people into employment, provide training and support, and help disabled Ohioans understand their benefits and the impact of employment.

With 38 counties currently underserved in Ohio, $1,500,000 will help CILs reach those communities and ensure disabled Ohioans can live and work independently in their homes and communities. To read more of the testimony presented to the Health and Humans Services Subcommittee visit the link here:

https://ohiohouse.gov/committees/finance-subcommittee-on-health-and-human-services/meetings/cmte_h_sub_health_1_2023-03-01-1000_140

Alexia Kemerling, Community Engagement Coordinator
Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

Last week the directors of the Department of Aging and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities testified in the House Finance Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. Those agencies also released their RedBook. The Director of the Department of Aging stated the need for increased wages for direct care workers and highlighted the increases in the budget to bring wages up to $16 per hour.

The Director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and the agency’s RedBook highlighted several initiatives that would help boost the vocational rehabilitation system in Ohio and support disabled Ohioans to get competitive integrated employment, including:

If the state provides a certain amount of funding, the federal government will provide additional financial support. In the past, the state has not taken full advantage of the federal funds available. In this budget, the state will get the full federal match, which is $150 million.
Increased funding for the Community Centers for the Deaf by 33%;
Increased funding for Ohio Transition Support Partnership which is intended to hire dedicated vocational rehabilitation counselors who work directly with school districts to help students transitioning out of school into either employment or further education; and
$9 million federal grant to transition around 1,450 individuals out of subminimum wage and into competitive integrated employment.
As the budget continues to move forward, there is plenty of time to make your voice heard. As a reminder, written testimony is due to the Chair, Representative Sara Carruthers, at least 24 hours before to the public hearing. Public testimony is scheduled to occur on the following dates to begin at 10:00AM in Room 121:

• March 7th, 8th, and 9th
• March 14th, 15th, and 16th 
• March 21st, 22nd, and 23rd 

You can submit testimony by emailing Representative Carruthers, rep47@ohiohouse.gov. Make sure to include in your email what date you want to testify, and if you want to testify with written-only or in-person. The representative’s office will then have you fill out a Witness Slip. The Witness Slip includes basic contact information and what you are testifying on.

In addition to public testimony, the subcommittee will be hearing from several key agency directors over the next few weeks:

• Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Director on March 9th
• Department of Developmental Disabilities Director on March 14th
• Department of Medicaid Director on March 16th

As the process continues to move forward, we will make sure to inform you of all the important dates, budget information, and when you can make your voice heard in committee. Stay tuned for more information about submitting testimony!

 
Alexia Kemerling, Community Engagement Coordinator
Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

Hi advocates!

The budget has officially been introduced as House Bill 33 and the legislation has been receiving hearings in the Ohio House Finance subcommittees. Next week, the Subcommittee on Health and Human Services will hear testimony from the Directors of the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee, the Department of Aging, and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities.

This means, the time to start reaching out to representatives to educate and inform them on issues important to the disability community is now! That’s why we created this helpful sheet of key representatives: https://bit.ly/budgetreps . In addition to reaching out to the legislator who represents the area where you live, we recommend emailing and calling these key members.

This resource includes the member’s party, contact information, key positions, as well as a few facts to help you get to know them.

Note: We will share a similar sheet for key senators once the process gets to that stage.

Alexia Kemerling, Community Engagement Coordinator
Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director

Hi advocates!

This week the Ohio House Finance Committee began its budget process by inviting agency directors to provide testimony. So far, we heard from the Office of Budget and Management, the Departments of Medicaid, Aging, Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Developmental Disabilities, and the Ohio Department of Education.

There are a few key takeaways from that testimony.

1. Each of the health and human service agencies put a heavy focus on increasing wages for the direct care workforce;
2. Agencies indicated their desire to raise the wage to $16 per hour for direct care workers; and
3. Legislators who serve on the committee asked if $16 was enough and if there should be consideration to increase that to $20.

We are still waiting for the budget to be introduced as legislation. Once it is introduced as legislation, we will have more details on what is included. However, these statements made by the directors are a great foundation!

Next, the House Finance Committee will begin breaking up the budget into various subcommittees. The Subcommittee on Health and Human Services released a preliminary schedule of when directors will be testifying. Below are a few of those key dates, all are planned to be in room 121 of the Statehouse at 10:00AM. If you want to watch the sessions from home, you can stream them on www.ohiochannel.org.

• Wednesday, February 22, the subcommittee will be hearing testimony from the directors of the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, and the Department of Aging;
• Thursday, March 9, the subcommittee will be hearing testimony from the directors of the Department of Mental Health and Addition Services and the Department of Developmental Disabilities; and
• Thursday, March 16, the subcommittee will be hearing testimony from the Ohio Department of Medicaid.

As the process continues to move forward, we will make sure to inform you of all the important dates, budget information, and when you can make your voice heard in committee. We hope to know more about dates of when the public can testify soon.

Good morning, advocates!

The House Finance Committee is kicking of the budget season with three days of testimony. Here’s the agenda as of February 6:

Tuesday, February 7: Office of Budget and Management and the Legislative Service Commission will give an overview of the entire budget. The Ohio Department of Transportation will give overview of the transportation budget.

Wednesday, February 8: Health and Human Services Agency directors and lead staff will give testimony on their agency priorities in the budget. 

Thursday, February 9: The committee will hear testimony from the Department of Education and Department of Higher Education. 

During this stage, members of the House Finance committee will ask the state agencies questions about their spending and programs. Through this, we can learn what things the representatives are excited about and what things they might be wary of. We can also learn more details about what the agencies plan to do in the next two years.

If you want to watch the sessions, you can stream them on www.ohiochannel.org.

Note: If you need captions, here’s a tip.
Use the Google Chrome browser. At the top right of the browser, below the “X” button to close the browser, there are three dots. Click on the dots, and then click, “Settings.” On the settings menu, click on “Accessibility.” It is about 2/3 of the way down the menu. Then toggle on the “Live Caption” feature. Now, when you watch Ohio Channel, a caption box will automatically pop up. 

Hi advocates!

This week Governor DeWine gave his State of the State address to the General Assembly. This is the annual speech where the Governor tells the Ohio Representatives and Senators about his priorities for the year. In his speech he focused on several issues including children, workforce, mental health, and housing.

Governor DeWine also released his BlueBook this week. The BlueBook explains what policy priorities will be his focus as the budget moves through the General Assembly. Below we share some of the major initiatives that will impact our disability service systems.

Direct Care Workers
The Departments of Medicaid and Developmental Disabilities are making historic investments into the direct care workforce. Governor DeWine’s proposed budget includes roughly $2 billion in additional investments with a focus on increasing wages.

Children
Governor DeWine is putting a heavy focus on children and youth in the budget by creating a new state agency, the Department of Children and Youth. This new agency will combine programs from 6 state agencies. Creating one agency will hopefully make programs that support children in Ohio much simpler.

Mental Health
In his State of the State and proposed budget, the Governor emphasized the need to invest in Ohio’s mental health system. The BlueBook proposes increases for funding community-based services, growing the behavioral health workforce, and prioritizing prevention programs.

Employment
The Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Agency is increasing investments. This means they will get additional money from the federal government through a federal match. This means Ohio will be able to fully take advantage of services to help disabled Ohioans obtain and retain employment. Unfortunately, the Centers for Independent Living and the Independent Living Council did not receive additional investments in the proposed budget.

Although we will not know all the details of the budget for a couple of weeks when the Legislative Service Commission (LSC) releases the RedBook and the legislation is introduced, we have a lot to look forward to. As more information is released on what will be in the budget, we will make sure to keep you informed!

Week 4 Glossary

BlueBook – the Governor’s proposed budget that outlines key goals, objectives, and funding priorities. This is a high level overview and provides limited detail.
General Assembly – sometimes called the “GA.” The General Assembly is all of the members of the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate.
RedBook – the as introduced budget companion document that outlines the entirety of the Governor’s budget proposal
State of the State – This is a speech given once a year by the governor. In the speech, the governor talks about what issues he will be focusing on in the next year. You can watch Governor DeWine’s 2023 State of the State here: https://ohiochannel.org/video/state-of-the-state-address-2023
Legislative Service Commission (LSC) – the agency that provides support to the Ohio General Assembly through drafting legislation, legislative analysis, and other documents that make reviewing legislation easier.

Join us every Friday for a Budget Debrief! ASL and CART provided.

If you need additional accommodations, you can request them on the registration link here:

(https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AzxQpyewSLKzFrEM-qn7iw) or by emailing akemerling@disabilityrightsohio.org.

Check out the full flyer here. 

• Hi advocates!

Right now, we are waiting on Governor DeWine to release his proposed budget. So, what happens next?

Ohio Budget Process Part 1: From the Governor’s Office to the Ohio House of Representatives (February-April)

Note: There are a lot of unique terms used in politics. We will share explanations throughout and in a glossary at the bottom of the email.

1.   The House will appoint members to the House Finance Committee and various subcommittees;

• A “subcommittee” is a small group of representatives that focus on one topic. For example, there is a subcommittee on Health and Human Services.

2.   By the end of January, the Governor will share his budget recommendations;
3.   The budget will be introduced in the House as a bill;

• A “bill” is a grouping of suggested changes to a law. The budget is one of the largest bills that Ohio works on. It will decide how money is spent on programs in Ohio.

4.   The House Finance Committee will hear testimony from agency directors;

• “Testimony” is when a person or organization shares their opinion on a bill through a formal process. Testimony can be written only or read out loud to the legislators. Testimony usually needs to be around three minutes. There are lots of rules for when and how to give testimony.

5.   The House Finance Committee will break up the budget into sections. Each section will be assigned to a subcommittee. For example, the Department of Medicaid budget would be assigned to the Subcommittee on Health and Human Services;
6.   The subcommittees will accept testimony from state agencies first, then public organizations and individuals;
7.   After the subcommittees have heard all testimony, members of the House Finance Committee will send their proposed amendments to the Chair of the Finance Committee.

• An “amendment” is a change to the legislation. A “proposed amendment” means this change is just a suggestion. The legislators eventually must agree on all the changes.

8.   The Chair of House Finance will review the proposed amendments and present a substitute version of the bill to the committee with several amendments included;

• The “chair” is the legislator who is in charge of the committee.

9.   There will be additional hearings on the substitute bill;

• A “hearing” is a meeting where legislators discuss the bill. Hearings are also where individuals or organizations give testimony.
• The “substitute bill” is the version of the budget that has all the new changes made by the committee.

10.   Members of the committee will have another opportunity to submit amendments to the substitute version of the bill to the Chair of House Finance;
11.   The House Finance Committee will then adopt a final version of the bill with additional amendments known as the omnibus bill;

• The “omnibus bill” is the final bill to be voted on by the committee. Typically, there is not an opportunity for the public to testify on the omnibus bill.

12.   The House Finance Committee will debate the final bill language;
13.   The committee votes on this omnibus bill;
14.   The bill will then go to the Ohio House of Representatives for a floor vote;

• A “floor vote” is when all the representatives (or senators) take a vote on a bill.

15.   The Ohio House makes changes, if needed, and votes on the bill;
16.   Next, the bill heads to the senate. The second half of the process will take place from April to June. Expect more updates on that as we move along.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with all of you as we #BudgetWithCare,

Week 2 Glossary

A glossary is where you can find definitions of words and phrases.

• Amendment -- a change to the legislation. A “proposed amendment” means this change is just a suggestion. The legislators eventually must agree on all the changes.
• Bill -- a group proposed changes to a law. The budget is the largest piece of legislation that Ohio works on. It will decide how money is spent on programs in Ohio.
• Chair (as in “Committee Chair”) -- the legislator who is in charge of the committee. The chair leads the committee meetings.
• Floor Vote -- when all the representatives or senators take a vote on a bill.
• Hearing -- a meeting where legislators discuss a bill. Hearings are also where individuals or organizations give testimony.
• Legislators -- politicians who are elected at the state level. This includes both representatives and senators.
• Ohio House of Representatives -- One of two parts of the General Assembly. Ohio has 99 representatives. Their job is to listen to the concerns of people who live in their area. They are then supposed to respond to those concerns by passing bills.
• Omnibus bill -- the final bill to be voted on by the committee. Typically, there is not an opportunity for the public to testify on the omnibus bill
• Subcommittee -- a small group of representatives that focus on one topic. For example, there is a subcommittee on Health and Human Services.
• Substitute bill -- the version of the budget that has all the new changes made by the House Finance Committee.
• Testimony -- when a person or organization shares their opinion on a law through a formal process. Testimony can be written only or read out loud to the legislators. Testimony usually needs to be around three minutes. There are lots of rules for when and how to give testimony. 

Every two years the Governor sends a budget proposal to the General Assembly. Legislators then work for months to decide how money will be spent to operate the state, including home and community-based services and supports.

This is the biggest and most important piece of legislation passed each General Assembly. The process goes from the end of January until the end of June.

Disability Rights Ohio is dedicated to being a reliable resource for:

1. Sharing regular updates on budget items that impact the disability community, particularly issues like:

• Addressing the direct care workforce crisis
• Improving the mental health system
• Eliminating sub-minimum wage

2. Keeping you informed on how and when to take get involved through actions like:

• Submitting testimony
• Calling or emailing a legislator
• Posting on social media
• Attending an advocacy event
• Writing a letter to your newspaper, engaging with media
• There will be lots of opportunities to have your voice heard. To stay engaged, keep an eye out for emails from this listserv and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

We look forward to collaborating with all of you as we #BudgetWithCare.

Alexia Kemerling, Community Engagement Coordinator
Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director