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Statement in Response to the Governor’s State of the State Address

Columbus-- “Voices for Ohio’s Children applauds Gov. Strickland’s focus on investing in Ohio’s children and families. These smart investments in children’s health care and mental health, early care and education, and adoption and foster care pay big dividends and mean that Ohio’s families will get the help they need so their children will succeed,” Gayle Channing Tenenbaum, Senior Policy Fellow, Voices for Ohio’s Children, said.

Mary Wachtel, Director of Public Policy, Voices for Ohio’s Children, outlined the impact these proposals would have:

“These wise investments mean kids get preventative health care to help control their asthma rather than costly emergency room treatments after an attack.

“Mental health services for abused and neglected children are available early when they need them most.

“Parents of an autistic child get the help they need for their child through the Help Me Grow program.

“More three- and four-year olds can attend high quality preschool and enter kindergarten ready to learn.

“Hundreds of parents, physicians, child care workers, nurses and other professionals will get help in dealing with children with behavioral problems,” Wachtel said.

Wachtel further explained, “"The governor’s proposal to expand SCHIP coverage means that all Ohio children can now get the health care they need. Ohio joins a small group of states that have made a commitment to close the gap for children. With Gov. Strickland's leadership and growing bipartisan support in the legislature, Ohio can solve the uninsured challenge for children."

“We look forward to learning more about the Governor’s proposals in the budget to be released tomorrow. Children’s issues offer lawmakers an opportunity to bridge across party lines to build on Ohio’s success,” Channing Tenenbaum said. “We can make strategic investments that will pay off and help Ohio prosper.”
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Voices for Ohio's Children is a non-partisan group of public, not-for-profit and private sector organizations and individuals who share a mutual concern about improving the well-being of our community’s children and their families. Through a collaborative effort and a collective voice, Voices promotes improvements in the well being of our community's children and their families.

Actualities: State of the State: "Unprecedented" Focus on Ohio's Kids

Columbus, OH - Children's advocates say Governor Strickland's State of the State address is great news for Ohio kids.

Click here to hear the comments of: Mary Wachtel, Voices for Ohio's Children; Lori McClung, Center for Community Solutions; Margaret Hulbert, United Way of Greater Cincinnati; Crystal Allen, Public Children Services Association of Ohio.

Jennifer Tisone Price
614.506.1500
reputationmatters@columbus.rr.com