Speaker Householder Announces House Passage of the Kinship Navigator Program

COLUMBUS— Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) today announced the Ohio House passage of House Bill 14, legislation that creates the Kinship Navigator Program. This legislation, sponsored by State Representatives Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) and Brian Baldridge (R-Winchester) will help kinship caregivers locate support services that are available to them.

“This Kinship Navigator Program is greatly needed to assist those individuals that have stepped up to care for grandchildren, nieces/nephews, or siblings in a time of family crisis,” said Speaker Householder. “We must make sure these caregivers are given all the help and resources available and this program does that. I’m happy that Representatives Boyd and Baldridge were able to work together on this much needed legislation.”

House Bill 14 is one of the bipartisan priority bills for the 133rd General Assembly, legislation that builds pillars for a stronger Ohio.

“Whether it’s illness, violence or trauma that causes children to be removed from their biological parents, their next placement is vital to their healing, health and development. HB 14 will provide kinship caregivers the assistance they need to care for some of Ohio’s most vulnerable children,” said Rep. Janine Boyd. “As legislators, we work for you. Government can do better to help its constituency, and this bill takes us one step closer.”

“I am so encouraged that my colleagues voted in a bipartisan and unanimous way to support and protect Ohio’s children, said Rep. Baldridge. “Here in Southern Ohio we have felt the impact of family members stepping up to help raise our most vulnerable population, our children.”

HB 14 passed the Ohio House with 94 affirmative votes and 1 negative vote and now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.