Medina Today

State Representative Sharon Ray has introduced House Bill 7, which aims to provide publicly funded childcare for foster and kinship caregivers in Ohio. This initiative is co-sponsored by State Representative Andrea White. The bill proposes that caregivers receive financial support for childcare while they are at work or pursuing education.

The legislation seeks to change the eligibility criteria for publicly funded childcare from income-based to need-based. "Foster and kinship caregivers are critical partners in ensuring every Ohio child grows up in a safe and loving home," stated Ray during her testimony. She emphasized the importance of supporting those who care for vulnerable children to ensure they have safe family environments.

In Ohio, there are approximately 14,300 children in foster care, with about 4,000 placed with relatives or family friends under kinship care arrangements. Another 8,000 children live with foster parents. The average cost of center-based childcare in Ohio ranges from $9,580 to $12,351 annually.

House Bill 7 is currently under review by the House Children and Human Services Committee.