Craig Forbes

This document outlines Ohio's Combined State Plan for 2024-2027 under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), detailing a four-year strategy for the state's workforce development system. The plan aims to align business, training, and education to meet employer needs and prepare a skilled workforce. Key goals include coordinating efforts across public and private entities, leveraging technology and data to improve efficiency and outcomes, deploying locally-driven programs, and investing in education and training for 21st-century skills to strengthen Ohio's economic advantage. It focuses on addressing emerging industry demands in advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles, semiconductors, and broadband, while serving priority populations with barriers to employment.

Ohio's strategic vision for its workforce development system aims to align business, training, and education to meet the needs of employers, individuals, and communities, transforming Ohio into a 21st-century economy. The plan focuses on four main goals: coordinating efforts across entities to maximize resources, leveraging technology and data for efficiency, deploying locally driven programs that produce results, and investing in education and training for 21st-century skills and the health and well-being of Ohioans. It supports emerging and in-demand industries like EV, broadband, and semiconductors, while also addressing key populations facing employment barriers.

The Franklin County Commissioners discussed and showed support for CelebrateOne, specifically focusing on improving a sub-award agreement with Columbus Public Health. This agreement aims to support a holistic approach to combating infant mortality across Franklin County through various programs, community interventions, education, and outreach strategies. Key initiatives discussed included crib assessments and distribution, community engagement in targeted neighborhoods, a multimedia safe sleep campaign, and the Building Health Care Futures initiative, which is a community health worker program in partnership with The Ohio State University nursing school.

The council reviewed vacancies, discussed OCALICON input and training topics, and received updates on the Early Childhood Advisory Council budget, including funding for Help Me Grow, Early Intervention, and the Imagination Library. The council also reviewed changes to Step Up To Quality goals, the Family and Children First Council, and Ohio RISE. Policy updates included changes to chapters 5101:2-12, 5101:2-13, 5101:2-14, and 5101:2-18, as well as permanent pandemic day camp rules and revisions to Chapter 16 rules. The State Plan for FFY 2022-2024 was discussed. Updates from the Bureau of Child Care Licensing and Monitoring included information on temporary pandemic school age programs, rates in the portal, and tuberculosis testing. The Bureau of Child Care Operational Support provided updates on the Time, Attendance and Payment system, the In-Home Aide Pilot, and Ohio Benefits. The Farm to Table initiative was discussed, along with categorical eligibility for kinship and updates from the field. A proposal was made and accepted to pursue funding for foster care children in kinship placements to be eligible for PFCC, regardless of income.

The council meeting covered various topics including a website tour and rule walkthrough, updates on the Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC), including the number of children served in publicly funded child care and the reopening of child care programs. Discussions included workforce challenges, ARPA funding initiatives (operating/new pandemic stabilization grants, workforce recruitment grants, access development grants, and administrative infrastructure support), SUTQ 2025 goals, and a study committee to examine PFCC and SUTQ. Updates were also provided on the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) program, including the state plan, federal reports (QPR, ACF 901 ARP Stabilization Report, ACF 404 State Improper Payment Report), and federal monitoring. The Bureau of Child Care Licensing and Monitoring reported on the annual report and Cleveland supervisor changes. The Bureau of Child Care Operational Support discussed updates to OCLQS and OPR, CCIDS/EA updates, and the Time, Attendance, and Payment System (TAP). Finally, updates from the field were shared, including information on the impact of free preschool programs and new Ohio Approved trainings.