Rep. Brent announces $121.2 million American Rescue Plan funds to support Ohio's children

Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) announced today that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including $121.2 million from the American Rescue Plan to support homeless youth, preschool students and children with disabilities.

“Ohio is still being effected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These dollars are necessary but not enough to resolve Ohio’s problems with unemployment, childcare, infant mortality and other important quantity of life issues,” said Rep. Brent. 

The Controlling Board approved a number of other measures on Monday, including:

• $11.7 million to answer calls regarding unemployment insurance and benefits;
• $10 million in CARES Act funds to provide body cameras for employees Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections and the Department of Natural Resources;
• $7.6 million for workforce training and equipment purchases;
• $5 million in American Rescue Plan funds for the Ohio Exposition Center;
• $5 million to enhance public safety at Ohio’s public colleges and universities;
• $4.9 million to provide Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, eliminate fraud and adjudicate claims;
• $1.5 million to process traditional unemployment benefits;
• $325,000 to identify ineligible people claiming benefits from ODJFS’ public programs;
• $314,000 over the next two years to improve pediatric care, with a special emphasis on serving minority patient populations;
• $261,684 to confront infant mortality by implementing the BABY & ME – Tobacco Free Program.