On Monday, Governor Mike DeWine delivered remarks during a Dayton Children’s Hospital announcement. The hospital addressed the growing demand for behavioral health services in the Dayton community.

Also on Monday, as part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Governor DeWine announced the Pediatric Behavioral Health Initiative, an $84 million investment, to increase access to care and expand capacity across the state so kids and their families can get services and supports for their behavioral health needs in or near their communities.

“The need to increase access to behavioral health care has been growing nationwide for years. I am pleased that, here in Ohio, we place an emphasis on expanding treatment capacity and increasing accessibility for children and their families,” said Governor DeWine. “When children are mentally, behaviorally, and physically stable and healthy, they are more likely to do better in school, avoid potentially risky behaviors, and make sounder decisions, putting them on paths that will help them reach their full potential.”

This initiative uses dedicated ARPA investments to expand infrastructure and strengthen local partnerships so Ohio kids can get the specialty care they need. The funding was allocated in HB  168, sponsored by Rep. Mark Frazier and Rep Mike Loychick, passed by the General Assembly last year. It will expand inpatient and outpatient behavioral health supports regionally. 

Additionally, on Monday, Governor DeWine delivered remarks at the first meeting of appointees of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation. The foundation is made up of appointments from the governor, the attorney general, members of the legislature, and members of the public in each of the 19 OneOhio regions. Every corner of the state has been hit hard by the addiction crisis and the foundation will work to create an approach to develop and oversee the disbursements from the settlement negotiations with drug manufacturers and distributers for their role in the opioid crisis.

Lt. Governor Jon Husted stopped by the Powell Area Realty Association meeting on Monday morning, where he discussed Intel's investment in Ohio.

On Tuesday morning, First Lady Fran DeWine attended Hamilton County’s One Millionth Imagination Library Book Celebration at Deer Park Branch Library in Cincinnati. 

First Lady DeWine also presented a proclamation from Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted, which recognizes the milestone of one million Imagination Library books being given out in Hamilton County.  

“Hamilton County serves as a role model for how to build strong community partnerships and expand enrollment in the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library,” said First Lady DeWine.  “I am so grateful for the effort to get so many free books into the hands of our littlest Ohioans and their families, because we know this program has so many benefits – from better bonding time to better kindergarten readiness scores!” 

First Lady DeWine joined several community partners who have supported the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library program in Hamilton County, including Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Public Library, and members of the Ohio General Assembly. Afterwards, First Lady DeWine visited Cincinnati Public School District’s John P. Parker Elementary School and read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle to a group of preschoolers. She was also joined by Loren Long, Ohio author and illustrator, who has four books in the Imagination Library collection. First Lady DeWine and Loren read two additional books.

Also on Tuesday, Governor DeWine announced over $3.6 million in funding for 41 local law enforcement agencies to help their drug task forces enforce the state’s drug laws and combat illegal drug activity.

Grants from the 2022 Ohio Drug Law Enforcement Fund will support drug task forces that impact 67 counties on issues of drug trafficking, pharmaceutical diversion, and other organized criminal activity associated with the drug trade. The program, which is administered through the Office of Criminal Justice Services, is also intended to help local entities enhance the safety of Ohioans through multi-jurisdictional task forces. 

“Ohio’s drug task forces play an absolutely critical role in removing drugs from the streets and holding drug traffickers accountable,” said Governor DeWine. “These grants are flexible so drug task force commanders can tailor their plans to the greatest benefit for their local communities.”

Funds can be used by agencies to investigate drug trafficking organizations and disrupt the drug supply through intelligence gathering, information sharing, and multi-agency coordination. Grants can also be used to support local work to help drug overdose victims and their families through education, support, and treatment options.

MORE: List of Ohio Drug Law Enforcement Awards

Additionally, on Tuesday, Lt. Governor Husted spoke about BroadbandOhio's ongoing efforts to expand high-speed internet access across the state at the Ohio Telecommunications Association's Annual Convention in Columbus.

On Wednesday, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announced that $100 million in state support is now available as part of the second round of the Transformational Mixed-Used Development Program.

The Ohio Department of Development began accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2023 projects today. The program provides a tax credit for major mixed-use developments in Ohio to help finance new construction and/or improve vacant buildings.

In March, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announced the first round of support awarded as part of the program, which included 13 projects that are expected to result in more than $2.1 billion in new Ohio payroll and $1.4 billion in new investments across the state.

“Right now there is no better place to be than in Ohio, and I'm dedicated to helping our local communities continue to attract more people to live, work, and raise a family here," said Governor DeWine. "Ohioans are innovators, and through this program, we're excited to help support transformational ideas that will positively impact economic development in Ohio for decades to come."

“Providing incentives for the development of mixed-use projects not only creates opportunities for business expansion and economic growth, but it also helps meet the need for market-rate housing within Ohio neighborhoods,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “Having the ability to revitalize vacant buildings and sites will be a game-changer for local communities as businesses seek quality locations to expand around our state.”

APPLY: Transformational Mixed-Use Development Program Application

Also on Wednesday, Lt. Governor Husted, who serves as Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation (OWT), announced the 26 entities that will make up Ohio’s Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership. The Ohio State University (OSU) was awarded $3 million in January to host the Sector Partnership and selected the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) as the industry intermediary to lead the effort. This announcement is part of a larger effort by OWT and BroadbandOhio to grow the workforce needed to expand broadband access and 5G in Ohio.

The “Strengthening Ohio’s Broadband & 5G Workforce” Strategy, released in September 2021, calls for a Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership that will lead the implementation of the goals outlined in the strategy. The Sector Partnership will work to design and distribute curriculum and training programs across the state and promote career awareness to supply the industry with a skilled workforce. These education and training programs will directly support filling the estimated 1,250 jobs needed to expand broadband access and the 32,000 jobs needed to deploy 5G across Ohio.

“These industry, education, and government leaders were selected for their ability to help implement Ohio’s broadband and 5G workforce strategy,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “Their expertise will ensure that Ohio’s Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership is efficient and responsive to industry workforce needs across the state as we continue to invest in broadband expansion for Ohioans.”

On Thursday, Governor DeWine awarded $4.8 million in grants to nearly 100 Ohio schools to help them improve the overall safety and security of their buildings.

Ninety-eight schools in 27 counties will implement safety upgrades with funding from Ohio's K-12 School Safety Grant Program. Governor DeWine launched the program through the Ohio School Safety Center to help local schools with costly safety upgrades to their buildings.

“I care deeply about every child in Ohio, and this will help ensure that more students are learning in an environment where they can feel safe and secure,” said Governor DeWine. “Today's kids are tomorrow's leaders, and we applaud the school districts that are proactively looking for ways to protect both their students and staff."

Funds will be used to cover expenses associated with physical security enhancements such as security cameras, public address systems, automatic door locks, and visitor badging systems.

DETAILS: List of K-12 School Safety Grant Award Winners

Also on Thursday, Governor DeWine announced the selection of two individuals to lead the Youth and Family Ombudsmen Office.  Jenny R. Stotts will serve as the first-ever Youth Ombudsman, while Jennifer A. Sheriff will serve as the first-ever Family Ombudsman. The office, a recommendation included in the Children’s Services Transformation Advisory Council’s Final Report, will be housed in the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and is set to open May 31, 2022.

“Members of the Children Services Transformation Advisory Council heard over and over again from foster youth, former foster youth, and families that  separate, independent ombudsmen were needed to listen, investigate, and find solutions when there are concerns,” Governor DeWine said. “I am proud that we are enacting this recommendation, and I am confident that this new office, combined with other council recommendations, will help Ohio better serve kids and their families.”

Additionally, Governor DeWine issued the following statement on Thursday about the increase in tuition for incoming first-year students by the Ohio State University.

"Ohio families are suffering from significant cost increases due to inflation and this is not the time for college costs to increase by $549 for those families with incoming first-year students," said Governor Mike DeWine. "I am disappointed that Ohio State is raising tuition on incoming first-year students. This is not a wise decision."

On Friday, Governor DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), and statewide law enforcement partners have developed a new communication card to help individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing exchange information with law enforcement.

The new card, which can be downloaded onto a phone or printed and stored inside a vehicle, wallet, or purse, includes various pictures that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can point to in order to help them more easily communicate during interactions with law enforcement.

“Removing barriers for Ohioans with disabilities is crucial for helping them live self-determined, independent lives,” said Governor DeWine. “This new communication tool will improve safety for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community as well as law enforcement officers across the state.”

The communication card also displays icons of common violations and provides tips for law enforcement to help officers effectively communicate with those who are hard of hearing or deaf.

“Approximately 303,000 Ohioans are deaf or hard of hearing,” said Kevin Miller, OOD Director. “We appreciate our partners from the Community Centers for the Deaf, Deaf World Against Violence Everywhere, and the Coalition for Deaf Access and Equity for collaborating on this practical solution to help bridge communication gaps and improve understanding.”