June 3, 2026 · Ohio Sunset Review Committee · 11,291 words · 10 speakers · 84 segments
The Joint Sunset Review Committee will come to order. Clerk, please call the roll. Chair Kaler. Here. Vice Chair Santucci checked in. Senator DeMora. Senator Landis checked in. Rep Lear. Rep Sims. Mr. Carfagna. Here. Mr. Talbot. We have a full committee with those that are checked in, so we can look at the minutes and approve those. If you look at the minutes from the May 13th meeting, Are there any additions or deletions? Without objection, the minutes are approved. Hearing no objection, the minutes are approved. Today we're going to hear testimony from a number of folks from boards and committees that are subject to the biennium sunset review process. We will begin with the Ohio Advisory Council for Aging. Alec Lapsoe.
Welcome to committee, sir.
I've never said your name before.
Is that how you say your last name?
You got it right, Chair.
You did.
That will be the only one today.
Thank you.
Welcome.
Well, good afternoon. Chair Kaler, Vice Chair Santucci, and members of the Sunset Review Committee, I am Alex Lapso, Chief Legislative Officer for the Ohio Department of Aging. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of the Ohio Advisory Council for Aging, and we respectfully request its reauthorization. The Advisory Council was established in 2000 to provide guidance to the Director of the Department of Aging on matters impacting older adults. Pursuant to Revised Code Section 17303, members come from broad professional backgrounds to represent the needs of Ohio's aging population. The Advisory Council offers input on agency plans and pending state and federal legislation, which includes budgets. Members also serve as ambassadors at the local level and amplify the department's mission and vision of making Ohio the best place to age in the nation. The Advisory Council is made up of 21 members. 12 members are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. A majority of those appointed members must be at least 50 years of age. When considering appointments, it is required that the following professional fields be considered. business, labor, health, law, and human services. The other nine members serve in an ex officio capacity. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House each appoint two members, one from each party. Five seats are reserved for the directors of the Ohio Departments of Medicaid, Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, Health, and Job and Family Services. Collectively, these members represent the greater interests of older adults and the services and supports available to them. The Department of Aging supports the administrative functions for the Advisory Council at no additional cost to Ohio taxpayers. Members do not receive compensation, but may request mileage reimbursement when serving in their official capacities. The Department absorbs those costs, and no additional staff outside the Department are needed to assist in planning and coordinating regularly scheduled meetings. Chair Kaler, Vice Chair Santucci, and members of the committee, thank you again for the opportunity to speak in support of the Ohio Advisory Council for Aging and respectfully request its reauthorization.
I am happy to address any questions at this time. Thank you, Alex. Is there any questions from the committee? Seeing no questions, thank you very much for coming in today.
Thank you.
We will next hear from Brain Injury Advisory Committee, John Corrigan.
Welcome to committee John Proceed Chairman Kaler Vice Chairman Santucci members of other members of the Sunset Review Committee my name is John Corrigan. I'm a professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Ohio State University and director of the Ohio Brain Injury Program. The Ohio Brain Injury Program was established under Ohio Revised Code 333560, as is its advisory body, the Ohio Brain Injury Advisory Committee, established under Ohio Revised Code 333561. And that is the focus of today's sunset hearing. In the 1990s, the General Assembly created the Ohio Brain Injury Program and Brain Injury Advisory Committee to address the needs of Ohioans who have experienced brain injury. This legislation allowed state dollars to attract federal funding for Ohioans with brain injury. The Ohio Brain Injury Program and Brain Injury Advisory Committee were originally housed at the Ohio Department of Health before being moved to the then Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission. In 2013, these programs were moved to the Ohio State University College of Medicine to allow continuity of leadership by specialists in brain injury rehabilitation. Under Ohio Revised Code, the Ohio Brain Injury Advisory Committee advises the Ohio Brain Injury Program with regard to unmet needs of survivors of brain injury, development of programs for survivors and their families, establishment of training programs for health care professionals, and any other matter within the province of the brain injury program. Together, the Brain Injury Program and Advisory Committee seek to address the needs of 125,000 Ohioans treated each year in emergency rooms or hospitalized due to traumatic brain injury, as well as many more Ohioans who experience less severe brain injuries, better known as concussions, that are evaluated outside of the hospital or not at all. Recent data from the Ohio Department of Health shows that almost 900,000 Ohio adults are at risk of health problems, cognitive deficits, or disability due to brain injury. That is one in six adults in Ohio who have this greater risk. This prevalence does not include Ohioans with other acquired brain injuries like strokes or loss of oxygen to the brain from incidents like drug overdoses or being strangled during intimate partner violence. The composition of the Ohio Brain Injury Advisory Committee is delineated in the Ohio Revised Code and includes the directors or their designees of the Department of Health, Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, Aging, and Public Safety, the Medicaid director, the administrator of workers' compensation, the superintendent of public instruction, and the executive director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. The revised code calls for the dean of the OSU College of Medicine to appoint no fewer than 10 and no more than 12 additional members as follows, a survivor of brain injury, a relative of a survivor of brain injury, a licensed physician recommended by the Ohio chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, a licensed physician recommended by the Ohio State Medical Association, one other health care professional, a rehabilitation professional, an individual who represents the Brain Injury Association of Ohio, and not fewer than three, no more than five individuals who shall represent the public. A roster of the current Brain Injury Advisory Committee members is attached to my testimony. Members of the Brain Injury Advisory Committee serve without compensation, though they may be reimbursed for expenses incurred as part of their duties. The funding for these expenses as well as the cost for meeting space and videoconferencing is borne by the Ohio Brain Injury Program The full Brain Injury Advisory Committee meets quarterly twice via video conferencing and twice in person in Columbus Four workgroups meet monthly by video conference. To assure that the Ohio Brain Injury Program's activities are aligned with the priorities of the Brain Injury Advisory Committee, a strategic plan is developed every five years that addresses the needs of Ohioans living with chronic effects of brain injury. Data about needs are analyzed and potential priorities are elicited from the public, persons with brain injury and their families, state agencies, and other organizations that serve people living with brain injury. From this process, a five-year plan is adopted by the Brain Injury Advisory Committee. The current joint Ohio Brain Injury Program and Advisory Committee strategic plan identifies priorities through 2030, which include 24 strategic objectives covering six primary goals. Goal one is have good data for statewide planning and evaluation. Goal two is have a workforce of health care and social service providers who understand brain injury and can adapt their treatment to better serve persons with a history of brain injury. Number three is to advocate for use of best practices for accommodating the effects of brain injury encountered in specific service delivery and support systems. Goal four is assist persons with brain injury and their families to understand brain injury and navigate available resources. Goal five is to increase public awareness of the issues faced by persons with brain injury and their families. And finally, goal six is to create the infrastructure for implementation of the plan. The Ohio Brain Injury Advisory Committee is a vibrant body, conducting important activities for Ohio in an extremely cost-effective manner. Thank you for this opportunity to provide this testimony, and I would be happy to address any questions you may have.
Thank you. Sir, any questions from the committee?
I just had a simple one. You said at the beginning of your testimony that the Brain Injury Advisory Committee was created in 1990, and it allowed state dollars to attract federal funding for Ohioans. Does it still do that?
Yes, it does, Mr. Chairman. Yes, it does. There is a federal program that funds the state brain injury programs. It needs to be matched on a two-to-one, two federal to one state, and we have successfully competed for that grant every year since we have been managing the program. It's north of, well, it's about $200,000 a year of federal money.
Thank you very much.
Any other question? Thank you very much for your testimony. I appreciate you being here. Next, we will hear the Commission on Minority Health, Executive Director Angela Dawson. Welcome to committee. You may proceed.
Good afternoon, Chairman Kaler, Vice Chair Pantusi, and esteemed members of the Sunset Review Committee. I'm honored to serve as the Director of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health and appreciate the opportunity to share our work. In 1987, Ohio garnered national recognition as the first in the nation to create a state agency set aside to address health disparities in Ohio's minority populations. The need for the commission was documented in the 1987 Governor Task Force report that exhibited that 85 of excess deaths reported for minorities were attributed to heart disease cancers type 2 diabetes infant mortality substance abuse and violence In 2026 these six diseases and conditions continue to be the drivers of excess death years of productive life loss and significant health care costs It is important to note that the prevention of these diseases and conditions is the focus of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health. The commission is dedicated to eliminating disparities and minority health through innovative strategies, financial opportunities, public health promotion, legislative action, public policy, and systems change. The Health Policy Institute of Ohio ranks Ohio 43rd in the nation for health value. Health value is calculated by equally weighing population health and health care spending metrics. According to the Ohio Department of Health, chronic diseases are among the most common, costly, and preventable health problems in Ohio. The Commission has maximized state and federal resources to address the chronic and persistent problem of health disparities. The Commission funds demonstration and model programs that are designed to improve health care accessibility, improve health literacy, improve nutrition, increase physical activities, reduce emergency room use, and result in a return on investment. The Commission received increased funding in the Governor's budget to expand our diabetes prevention efforts efforts as a result of a demonstrated return on investment. Infant mortality continues to be a significant driver of costs in Ohio. The average cost of a healthy full-term birth in Ohio in 2019 was approximately $9,100. However, the cost of a preterm birth in Ohio is approximately $62,000. In an effort to reduce these exorbitant costs and improve birth outcomes, the Commission has scaled the Pathways Community Hub model in Ohio. This is a nationally certified, evidence-based, peer-reviewed, pay-for-performance care coordination model. This model has received endorsement from CMS, CDC, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the National Institutes of Health. The Commission has scaled the model in Ohio to fund 12 infant mortality hubs that cover 23 counties, including urban, rural, and Appalachian counties. Our outcomes also reflect improvement. The 2023 hub birth outcomes for the black singleton preterm birth rate was 11.8 compared to the state preterm rate of 14.7. The statewide hub outcome for black singleton low birth rate was 10.6 compared to the state rate of 14.0. With the funding increase in the governor's budget in state fiscal year 24, the commission is now able to serve 3,000 high-risk pregnant women across the state of Ohio. Currently, all Medicaid managed care plans contract with the hubs. The Buckeye Health Plan study reported that the model demonstrated a return on investment to Medicaid members at medium, high, and low risk, as well as a reduction in NICU admissions. In summary, the commission has been visible and active in state and local efforts to reduce minority health disparities and its associated costs. We appreciate the support of our mission and the opportunity to share with you today. I would like to inform you that I have a significant bilateral hearing impairment, which may require me to ask you to repeat your questions. Thank you in advance for your accommodation, and I'd be happy to answer questions at this time.
Thank you very much, Ms. Dawson. Any questions from the committee? Representative Lear.
Thank you, Chair. And my apologies that Energy Committee comes at the same time that we do here. Thank you for coming in. I was trying to listen and read at the same time, so please forgive me if you said this and I didn't hear you. Can you share with us the areas where the commission has been successful at reducing some of these health disparities? I think I heard you say infant mortality is improving. What about diabetes in the other areas?
Certainly, and thank you so much, Chairman Kaler, Representative Lear. Thank you so much for your question. In terms of our infant mortality hubs, they are across the state of Ohio, and so we cover 23 counties, both urban, rural, and Appalachian, such as Lucas, Allen, Lorraine, Cuyahoga, Tuscarora, Summit, Portage, Mahoning, Stark, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Belmont, Monroe, Washington, Perry, Butler, Hamilton, Lawrence, Scioto, Pike, Fayette, and Perry are the areas where we have seen significant improvements in birth outcomes.
Follow up.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Do you have any other areas of improvement, such as with diabetes or other health conditions?
Yes. Thank you for your question, Chairman Kohler, Representative Lear. The diabetes prevention program that we have implemented in both Cuyahoga, now Columbus, and Dayton, Ohio, has demonstrated a $4.20 return on investment for every dollar invested, which resulted in an increase in the governor's budget to expand that program. We were able, through education, physical activity, cooking classes, also taking individuals to the grocery store to be able to shop at the healthiest way within their budget means, and we were able to transition 51 individuals from a pre-diabetic status to a normal A1C. The Cuyahoga program implements the CDC model, but they also are required to implement Healthy People 2030 metrics, which include taking the A1C every 90 days, looking at waist circumference, neck circumference, as well as body mass index. In addition, they are required to do exercise within the program versus a referral outside of the program And through that methodology we have been able to see a transition When you consider the average cost of first diabetes at in the state of Ohio it's not only an immediate return on investment, but it also impacts long-range because we know the impact within our own families of this devastating disease.
Follow-up? No, sir. Thank you.
Weber Sims.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Ms. Dawson. I guess I just want to say thank you for your years of work that I've been privileged to be a part of and to witness. On the infant mortality piece, we still continue to see challenges, particularly for African-American babies in Summit County specifically. one of the issues that has come to light, too, where we continue to find very little resources but great need is housing for women, pregnant women. Do you have any kind of maybe ideas or anecdotal opining around how we can really address that issue? Because the resources seem not to be there.
Thank you.
Thank you, Chairman Kohler, Representative Sims. Thank you for your question. You are absolutely correct. The effectiveness of this model is because it is a care coordination model looking at 21 pathways that address social determinants of health. So in addition to clinical care, prenatal visits, well, baby visits, postpartum visits, screening for postpartum depression. We are also looking at employment and education and food insecurity. And so the magic, if you will, of this model is the community health workers who are more often than not hired from the communities within which they serve. And so they connect that mother to resources within the system. Is housing a major issue in this state and nation? Absolutely. And so that's why we rely on our policy partners to increase the availability of safe and affordable housing. The Health Policy Institute of Ohio did a tremendous brief series on infant mortality and the related social determinants of health. And housing was one of the number one areas. So we have reached out to the Ohio Housing Finance Association and also at the local level where our hubs also leverage local resources as well. But do we need more assistance in addressing this? Absolutely. And so that's why we turn to you all as our policymakers to create those possibilities. The work of the commission is united with the work of so many other state agencies. It would take three to five rooms this size to even begin to fill the efforts of the individuals who are on the ground within multiple models and programs across this state. We are ranked, unfortunately, in the bottom five. However, we were just in 2016 the worst state. So we are making improvements. And so it so important that we recognize the need to have diverse numbers of approaches and models and that we work collaboratively on the ground and at the state level across departments
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Any other questions? Thank you very much, Ms. Dawson. We appreciate your testimony. Next, we will hear from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Council, Greg Dormer. Greg, welcome to committee. Proceed.
Thank you. Chairman Kaler, Vice Chair Santucci, and members of the Sunset Review Committee, my name is Greg Normer, and I am the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation at Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. I am here to testify on the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Council. Pursuant to Section 361.16 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which was issued by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, the OOD Council serves as the State of Ohio State Rehabilitation Council. The purpose of the OOD Council is to advise OOD regarding specific aspects of the vocational rehabilitation program as outlined in the federal regulations. Specifically, the Council provides feedback to OOD on its Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, and the Division of Policy and Partnerships. The Council is responsible for reviewing state goals and priorities related to the Vocational Rehabilitation Services portion of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, WIOA, combined state plan. The OOD Council consists of 16 members appointed by the Governor. The makeup of the Council follows criteria established by the federal government, including that a majority of the members have a disability. Council members include an individual who has applied for or received vocational rehabilitation services, an individual who represents community rehabilitation program service providers, and an individual who represents an organization that advocates on behalf of individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory, or mental disabilities. The full OOD Council meets quarterly, and two subcommittees, VR Policy and Annual Report, meet as needed regarding specific items for the full Council to consider. One OOD staff serves as the Council's liaison to schedule meetings, take minutes, arrange for travel, and coordinate all meeting logistics for the OOD Council. This liaison is also responsible for records retention of the OOD Council. The OOD Council was established in 2018 by Senate Bill 144, which was signed into law by Governor John Kasich. The law streamlined the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Commissioners, which was seven members, the Governor's Council on People with Disability, 21 members, and the Consumer Advisory Committee of 17 members into a single, one inclusive council. The budget for the OOD Council is compromised of costs related to Council members' reimbursement for travel expenses to attend Council meetings. The total that was reimbursed to OOD Council members in State Fiscal Year 2025 was $1,182.44. Chairman Kaler, Vice Chairman Santucci, and members of the Sunset Review Committee, thank you for the opportunity to provide a brief overview of the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Council Council and respectfully request for it to continue. I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Thank you, Mr. Dormer, for your testimony. Questions from the committee? No questions. Thank you very much, sir. Thank you Next we hear from the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council Paul Jarvis Mr Jarvis welcome to committee
You may proceed. Thank you Chairman Kaler, Vice Chair Santucci, and members of the Sunset Review Committee. My name is Paul Jarvis and I'm the Executive Director of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council. My testimony today will briefly highlight the Council's federally mandated role, our oversight responsibilities, and provide several examples of how Ohioans with developmental disabilities and their families benefit from Council-supported initiatives across the state. The Ohio DD Council is one of 56 state and territorial councils established under the Federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. DD Councils were originally created in 1970 to give individuals with disabilities a voice in state and federal programs and policies that affect them. The Ohio DD Council consists of 32 members, a majority of whom are people with developmental disabilities or parents and guardians of people with developmental disabilities. These members are all appointed by the Governor and the remaining members represent state agencies, local service systems, and nonprofit organizations serving Ohioans with DD. The Ohio DD Council receives approximately $2.8 million annually in federal funding to support advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that improve opportunities and outcomes for Ohioans with developmental disabilities and their families. Federal law requires that at least 70% of council funding be directed toward programmatic activities and grants. In 2025, 81% of Council funding was invested directly into those activities. A majority of our work is accomplished through grants, which the Council offers on an annual and multi-year basis. Each DD Council is required to submit to the Federal Government a five-year State Plan of activities. The Council and our grantees are currently in the final year of our current five-year plan and we are already accepting grant applications to begin our new five-year plan which follows the federal fiscal year on October 1st. Our federal oversight body is the Administration on Community Living housed within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Department of Developmental Disabilities serves as our designated state agency and fiscal agent. Council's grant and each sub-award is subject to uniform administrative requirements, cost principles and audit requirements for federal awards. Grants funded by Council are required to submit periodic program reports and the Ohio DD Council annually submits to ACL a program performance report, which we call the PPR. A few highlights from our most recent PPR. Council has been funding a grant to expand transportation options for people with disabilities living in rural parts of Ohio. This demonstration project provides transportation to individuals with disabilities that live in Athens County to other counties in the state. In its fourth year, the project supported 429 riders on trips outside of the county, covering almost 25,000 miles. Council's Empowering Families Grant provides training for parents and family members, educational professionals, and students with disabilities as they navigate the individualized education plan in their schools. In 2025, more than 2,100 parents and family members and an additional 5,900 professionals professionals participated in this specialized training. This grant provided 622 separate trainings in 2025. Councils also supported the SOAR project, SOAR standing for SSI, SSDI, Outreach, Access, and Recovery. This is a Social Security Benefits application methodology. The program has provided training to support county boards of developmental disabilities and Centers for Independent Living on the Social Security application process and provides technical assistance on the state's developmental disability determination process. In 2025, this project supported 24 Ohioans with disabilities who were homeless or at risk of being homeless to apply for and receive SSI or SSDI. Lastly, I'd like to add that Council supports the DD Awareness and Advocacy Day grant right here in the State House in March. This year it provided training to 218 individuals with developmental disabilities and 33 family members on how best to advocate for themselves. These are just a few of the accomplishments of Council-funded projects in the last year alone. A full copy of our 2025 PPR can be found on our website. Unlike direct service systems, the Council's role is to identify gaps, test innovative approaches, elevate the voices of people with developmental disabilities and families, and help improve systems at the state and local level. For these reasons, the Ohio DD Council respectfully requests continuation by the General Assembly so we may continue supporting innovation, advocacy, and systems improvement for Ohioans with developmental disabilities and their families. Thank you for your time. I would be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you, sir. Any questions for the committee?
I would just say thank you very much. I have a nephew who has a developmental disability, and with my work in the house, I know I have families in my district who are, like me, getting older, who have children who are in their 40s and the parents are in the 80s, and their biggest concern in his life is who's going to take care of their 40-year-old adult child when they are gone. So I appreciate what you do.
Thank you very much.
Thank you. We do have a grant in our next five-year plan about futures planning.
Thank you, sir. Thank you very much. Next, we will hear from the Ohio Family and Children's First Cabinet Council, Colleen Tucker, Executive Director. Welcome to committee. You may proceed.
Good afternoon, Chair Kaler, Vice Chair Santucci, and members of the committee. My name is Colleen Tucker, and I am the Executive Director of Ohio Family and Children's First Cabinet Council. The Ohio Department of Children and Youth serves as the administrative agent for Ohio Family and Children First. I know that my testimony has been submitted into the record, so I will not be reading word for word. Ohio Family and Children First started as an initiative of the Office of the Governor in 1991, before being codified in 1993, along with the local Family and Children First councils. Ohio Family and Children First, more commonly known as OFCF, was created in statute under Ohio Revised 121.37 with the specific purpose of helping families seeking government services by streamlining and coordinating existing services for families seeking assistance for their children, regardless of Medicaid eligibility. Family and Children First Councils are the only statutorily mandated entities responsible for regularly convening system of care partners to identify and address gaps in services to children and their families within their communities In other words if a youth has needs from more than one system for example educational medical and developmental needs instead of that youth's parents having to know where to go to find contact information, eligibility, and where to go to get support from each system, Family and Children First councils bring all those systems together to meet the family where they are. The Ohio Family and Children First cabinet is comprised of the following state-level leadership, the Directors of Education and Workforce, Medicaid, Youth Services, Job and Family Services, Behavioral Health, Health, Developmental Disabilities, Aging, Rehabilitation and Corrections, Children and Youth, the Office of Budget and Management, and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. These entities oversee and fund the work of the Ohio Family and Children First State Office comprised of six state staff, including myself, who monitor and oversee the work of the local Family and Children First councils. Locally, the commissioners established local Family and Children First councils comprised a mandated membership as outlined in Ohio Revised Code 121.37. And these local councils include local representatives or designees whose work and collaboration have a direct impact on children and families within their counties. Examples include but are not limited to the local mental health board, county job and family services, and public children's services agencies, the developmental disability board, local school districts, the board of county commissioners, and caregivers who have received services from the local council. Funding for Ohio Family and Children First comes through contributions from the Ohio Family and Children First Cabinet agencies in the form of two interagency agreements totaling $5,643,000 in state fiscal 26 and $5,684,794 in state fiscal 27. The first interagency agreement, an amount of $1,292,545 for 26 and $1,334,264 for 27, is funded by 11 of the 12 Cabinet agencies to support the operations of the State Office. The second interagency agreement in the amount of $4,358,530 for State Fiscal 26 and 27 is funded by four of the Cabinet agencies, the Departments of Youth Services, Children and Youth, Developmental Disabilities, and Behavioral Health, which allows Ohio Family and Children First to provide an allocation to each of the local Family and Children First councils to provide family-centered services and supports to children and families in their local communities who need non-clinical services and supports along with critical service coordination. In addition to these agreements, Ohio Family and Children First and the local Family and Children First councils also receive funding through the following budget appropriations. $2,706,000 is provided in operational capacity building funds, which is then pushed down to local Family and Children First councils, which provides them $30,750 a year for operations. $2 million is also provided to support activities and programs designed to assist the state office and the local Family and Children First councils in using best practices to support multisystem youth and families, including ensuring detailed transition planning. Ohio Family and Children First vision is for every child and family to thrive and succeed within healthy communities, and all work at the state and local level is directed towards the goal As Ohio Family and Children First is a partnership of state and local government communities and families Family and Children First councils are in a unique position to enhance child and family well-being by building community capacity for needed relationships and services, coordinate systems and services that would typically be siloed, and to truly engage families by utilizing wraparound and wraparound grounded service coordination principles. These efforts contribute to youth being successfully maintained in their homes and communities instead of ending up in out-of-home placement. For the past five years, data has shown that over 91% of youth served by Family and Children First councils have been consistently maintained in their communities. In State Fiscal 25, our data also showed that when examining just the funds that Ohio Family and Children First provides, local Family and Children First councils only spent an average of $1,511 in state and federal taxes per youth to provide community-based non-clinical support. This shows an excellent return on investment when 91% of these youth are able to maintain in their communities. I thought it'd be helpful to provide an example of the impact that local councils have made with the funds and the support of the Ohio Family and Children's First Office. An FCFC received a referral for an 8-year-old adopted youth. The youth was on the verge of being placed on home instruction from the school due to her self-injurious behavior. When frustrated or overwhelmed, she would headbang to the point of having to call 911, having numerous concussions and even a brain bleed. The youth was also very emotionally dysregulated in all environments, destructive and had a volatile relationship with their sibling. Parents were overwhelmed, questioning if they could continue to care for the youth and if the need was for residential treatment. The parents, who were already hanging on by a thread, both worked full-time and were not sure what they would do if the school put the youth on home instruction. The family had many natural supports, but they were unable to manage the youth's behaviors. The Family and Children First Council pulled together a team, which started with the family, school, and counselor. The team grew quickly as the youth was connected and wrapped with services and supports. The youth was connected to the local county board of developmental disabilities. The local FCFC funding was used to contract with a local applied behavior analysis or ABA organization to observe behaviors at home and school to develop a behavior plan for consistency across all environments. Funding was used to implement respite and reading camp. The youth neurologists recommended a service dog and funding was also approved. The youth also continued with mental health supports. The team successfully closed their case less than two years later. The youth continued ongoing mental health services, behavioral supports, and service dog training. The youth was never placed on home instruction, remained in the home with adoptive parents, and has gone over a year without a head-banging incident. The youth has made friends at school, is using a safety plan at home, and has decreased violent episodes with their sibling. This is just one example of many I have where an FCFC's ability to bring a team together across multiple systems was a lifeline for a family and resulted in positive outcomes. The Ohio Family and Children First State Team supports the local Family and Children First councils in multiple ways. Staff regularly staff cases with councils to provide a different perspective, including examples of how other counties have met the needs of similar youth. Staff make themselves available for child and family teams and are responsive to community partners and families OFCF staff also develop programs and projects including pilot projects to encourage coordinated efforts at the state and local level and collect information provided by local communities regarding successful programs for prevention intervention and treatment OFCF also oversees the development of the Ohio Automated Service Coordination Information System, where statewide data is captured on youth served by local Family and Children First councils. As we continue to look at opportunities to engage youth and families earlier and seeing that an increased number of Ohio youth face acute and increasingly complex needs, the work of Ohio Family and Children First and the local Family and Children First councils has never been more critical to ensure that families who require the system of care expertise that Family and Children First councils bring to bear can access those needed supports in our local communities. Therefore, we recommend the continuation of Ohio Family and Children First Cabinet Council. It has a longstanding place in our state and local communities, is conducting relevant current activities, is low cost to the state in comparison to larger programs,
and it is of critical importance to not only the overall success of our state, but to thousands of families, regardless of Medicaid eligibility, who depend on the ability to contact their local Family and Children First Council to help them navigate our state and local systems to obtain needed help for their children. Chairman Kaler and members of the committee, I appreciate the opportunity to present to you today. I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have at this time. Thank you. Thank you very much, Ms. Tucker. Any questions from the committee? Seeing no questions, thank you very much for your testimony. Next, we will hear from Nicole Silliman on two different boards. First, we're going to hear from her on the Children's Trust Fund board. Welcome to committee. How close did I get your last name right?
You got it correct. Great job. Good afternoon, Chair Kaler, Vice Chair Santucci, and the members of the Sunset Committee. My name is Nicole Silliman, and I am the Executive Director of the Ohio Children's Trust Fund. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify today on behalf of the Children's Trust Fund Board. Preventing child abuse and neglect is one of the most important and most cost-effective roles government can play in strengthening families and communities. When families have access to the right supports early, we can reduce the likelihood of abuse or neglect before it occurs, improving outcomes for children while avoiding significantly higher public costs later in the children's services, health care, and justice systems. Prevention is not only the right thing to do, it is a smart investment in Ohio's future. The Ohio Children's Trust Fund joins a national network representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, of which there is legislation establishing a trust or prevention fund. In Ohio, the Ohio Children's Trust Fund Board was established in 1984, dedicated exclusively to funding the primary and secondary prevention of abuse and neglect. Governed by a 15-member public-private board, OCTF brings together state leadership, legislative appointees and community expertise to guide prevention investments across Ohio. OCTF operates pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Sections 3109.13 through 3109.178 and serves as a critical component of the state's broader prevention infrastructure, including serving as the Ohio chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and part of the National Children's Trust Fund Alliance, as well as Ohio's lead agency for the federal community-based child abuse prevention grant as designated by Ohio's governor. OCTF's role is to invest in and support evidence-based and promising or proven community-driven prevention strategies that strengthen families before involvement with children's services systems becomes necessary. With the support of the Department of Children and Youth and through partnerships with local providers, regional prevention councils and state agencies, OCTF funds parenting education programs, home-based family support services, mentoring initiatives, and community-based prevention programs such as parent support groups and parent cafes. These programs are designed to reduce risk factors associated with abuse and neglect while increasing protective factors that promote safe, stable, and nurturing environments for children. OCTF receives revenue from three sources. Public dedicated funds received through vital statistic fees collected at the local level on certified copies of birth certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees, and dissolutions, which is about $4 million annually reflected in 1980 fund state special revenue. We received federal funding, including the federal community-based child abuse prevention grant, which is about $1.6 million annually. And we also received a competitive five-year family support through primary prevention grant, which was about $3.75 million over five years, reflected in Fund 3D30. We also receive private funding as a result of OCTF's ability to solicit and accept donations from private sources, as well as engage in public-private partnerships, again reflected in Fund 1980. OCTF also receives an annual $1 million temporary assistance for needy families earmark. Revenue from fees and grants are invested in prevention programs at the local and state level by providing funding to private and public entities to fund child abuse and neglect prevention programs and services, such as parenting education, support through evidence-based child maltreatment, prevention models, youth mentoring services, and training for caregivers and professionals regarding their role in preventing abuse and protecting Ohio's children. Each year, OCTF coordinates a public awareness campaign for April Child Abuse Prevention Month and supports other prevention messaging year-round. In the most recent biennium, OCTF services reached nearly 84,000 parents, caregivers, youth, and professionals across all efforts, including the regional prevention councils. One specific parent education model that has been implemented widely is the Triple P Positive Parenting Program. This model includes an asynchronous online version, which has been universally offered throughout Ohio since 2022, reaching over 41,000 parents and caregivers, providing them with free access to an evidence-based positive parenting program that can be accessed at the right time and the right place for the parent. Families in all 88 Ohio counties have accessed and are utilizing this model. One parent noted, I learned about behaviors with kids rebelling in tantrums, because that's a huge thing for me. So I've learned how to turn the tantrums around in a positive way. This is a common statement heard from many parents accessing this model, with the parent behavior most often reported to have decreased after the program being that of yelling. Through all programs implemented with OCTF funding, measurable improvements in parenting confidence, family stability, and connections to community resources are assessed. Across the state, during state fiscal year 2025, OCTF-funded programs demonstrated statistically significant improvement in family functioning and resilience social supports and nurturing and attachment as assessed through the Protective Factor Survey These outcomes are key indicators associated with reduced risk of child maltreatment OCTF also coordinates efforts across state agencies to ensure prevention efforts are aligned, data-informed, and non-duplicative. OCTF has continued to maintain strong partnerships and collaborations with national, state, and local entities, including Ohio State agencies represented on the OCTF board. With DCY serving as OCTF's administrative agent, we also support primary prevention program for children's services, and we're supporting efforts as it relates to prevention services as part of the Federal Family First Prevention Services Act for children's services-connected families. With DCY support, OCTF is able to provide greater reach for prevention service programming. We also partner with the Ohio Departments of Health and Behavioral Health to coordinate on various efforts to ensure our agencies are not duplicating prevention efforts at the local level. As possible, we collaborate to share data, which informs the development of needs assessments, which are utilized to support decisions pertaining to programming through the regional councils. OCTF is very grateful to Representative White, Senator Hicks-Hudson, Senator Manchester, and Representative Brownlee for their continued service on the OCTF board and for their leadership on numerous OCTF issues and initiatives. For over 40 years, the Ohio Children's Trust Fund has strengthened Ohio's prevention infrastructure and supported families across the state. We respectfully request the committee's recommendation for the continuation of the Ohio Children's Trust Fund board. Chair Kaler and members of the Sunset Review Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today on behalf of the OCTF Board. I'm happy to answer any questions.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Any questions from the committee?
Not at this time.
We can go on with the next. The Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Regional Council.
Good afternoon again. Chair Kaler, Vice Chair Santucci, and members of the committee, As I mentioned, my name is Nicole Silliman, and I'm the Executive Director of the Children's Trust Fund, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify today on behalf of Ohio's eight regional child abuse and neglect prevention councils. OCTF statute provides for the creation of regional prevention councils, which plan for and oversee child abuse and neglect prevention efforts at the local level through collaborations and oversight from the state-level OCTF board. This local and state partnership is a critical component within OCTF's six-year strategic plan, which focuses on enhancing OCTF's collaborations and partnerships, both on the local and state level. Through direction and oversight by the OCTF board, OCTF staff coordinate and provide direction and support to the implementation of Ohio's eight Child Abuse and Neglect Regional Prevention Councils, which serve as Ohio's infrastructure for child abuse and neglect prevention at the local level. These councils and their duties are outlined in Ohio Revised Code Sections 3109.171 through 3109.176. Ohio's Regional Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Councils were established in statute in 2015 and serve as a key mechanism for service provision for the Children's Trust Fund. This investment, annually approved and overseen by the OCTF board, equates to roughly 43% of OCTF's programmatic spending, reporting, which also includes the expenses to coordinate these councils through the regional prevention coordinators. The OCTF board approved revenue supporting these regional councils is derived from public dedicated funds received through vital statistics collected at the local level and certified copies of birth certificates death certificates and divorce decrees and dissolutions of which approximately million annually reflected in the 1980 fund is allocated towards implementation of regional prevention councils and coordinators. The OCTF board also receives additional federal funding through several sources and invests those federal funds through regional councils to support parent leadership and capacity building efforts as well as connections to concrete supports. Each regional prevention Council consists of up to two county prevention specialists appointed by each county's board of county commissioners. The OCTF board may also appoint prevention specialists to the council. County prevention specialists bring a wealth of expertise to the regions representing fields such as children's services, mental health and addiction, family and children first councils, health care, juvenile justice, education, disabilities, early care and education, and parents with lived experience. As of April 2026, there were over 140 appointed council members across the state. Each regional prevention council is also staffed by a community-based or county-level organization, which serves as the regional prevention coordinating entity. This organization, which is competitively procured by the OCTF board, provides budgetary procurement and other related administrative functions of the council, including convening meetings and facilitating discussions for both the council and the work groups for each region. Annually, approximately $800,000 is expended across the eight regions to coordinate this statewide network of prevention councils. The councils are tasked with assessing the needs within their local communities and making decisions pertaining to which evidence-based and evidence-informed child maltreatment prevention services should be provided in the region covering all of Ohio's 88 counties. These services reach on average over 5,000 parents and caregivers and 10,000 youth on an annual basis through approximately 15 different prevention program models. Prevention programs are typically delivered in person or virtually through a trained facilitator covering content as prescribed by the program developer. One such example pertains to a provider in southwest Ohio implementing the Nurturing Parenting Program to families over 12 to 15 weekly sessions. The provider stated, When my client first began working with our program, she expressed low confidence in her parenting abilities. She struggled with setting clear boundaries and lacked consistent routines in the home, which contributed to challenging behaviors from her children. In addition to these difficulties, she did not have a driver's license, something that significantly limited her independence and ability to access resources for her family. Through her commitment to the program and with ongoing support, this client made remarkable progress. She gradually began to rebuild her confidence as a parent and embraced new strategies for managing behavior. Together, we developed and implemented consistent routines, introduced a token economy to reinforce positive behavior, and established clear household rules that created a more predictable and structured environment for her children. One of her most notable accomplishments was gaining the motivation and confidence to pursue and obtain her driver's license, removing a major barrier and opening up new opportunities for her and her family. At the end of the program, she told me that she was feeling more in control, more confident, and better equipped to manage parenting challenges. Her home environment is more stable and her children are thriving under the new structure and expectations. As evidenced through this story and many others similar to it, through the Regional Prevention Councils, OCTF strives to ensure that the prevention programming approved and funded by the OCTF board produces positive outcomes for children and families. These programs are supported by OCTF staff who provide grantees with one-on-one guidance on day operational questions as well as substantive programmatic expertise and technical assistance With this information shared today we recommend the continuation of the Child Abuse and Neglect Regional Prevention Councils. The Regional Prevention Councils are comprised of leaders within their reflective communities, ensuring appropriate and responsive child maltreatment prevention services are provided to strengthen Ohio families through voluntary supportive programs. Chair Kaler and members of the Sunset Review Committee, thank you again for the opportunity to testify today on behalf of the Ohio Children's Trust Fund Regional Child Abuse and Prevention Councils. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you, Nicole. Any questions from the committee?
I just have one question. This is going to be a very silly question. I'm sorry in advance. Obviously, the Children's Trust Fund board is doing a certain purpose, whereas the regional councils are outspread across the state, doing different things, more boots on the ground. is there and you're obviously set up by different statutes is there any way shape or form that the state of Ohio could save money by taking something that was created at this point in time at this point in time and combining those or there overlap at all in what folks are doing yes I would say that it is an integrated approach to how we're managing services from the board level all the
down to the local level. While the board provides the oversight of how we strategize our strategic plan and the purpose and what we want to see at the local level, it's through the regional councils under board direction that we do the implementation. So it truly is our ability to get local community buy-in for what we're seeing at the board from a state level perspective. So it's a part of integrated approach to bring in that local level and then float it up to the state level and then vice versa. Thank you very much.
Any other questions from the committee? Thank you very much. I'm going to turn the controls over to Vice Chair Santucci for a minute. Go ahead, sir.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Appreciate the opportunity here. So we'll call up our next department, Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence Advisory Board, Jenny Stump.
Hi, Ms. Stump. Welcome to committee.
Thank you.
You may proceed.
Vice Chairman Santucci and members of the Sunset Review Committee, on behalf of Director Dakin and the Department of Education and Workforce, Thank you for the opportunity to testify on our agency's entities that are subject to Sunset Review. I'm Jenny Stomp, Chief of Policy and Legislative Affairs. In addition to the questionnaire supplied to the committee, I will provide a brief summary of the Ocali Advisory Board. We respectfully request continued authorization for that board. The Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence, also known as Ocali, was created in state under the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio to focus on programs and services for individuals with autism and low incidence disabilities. The Ocali Advisory Board is also established by law. The Ocali Advisory Board's purpose as prescribed in law is to assist and advise the ESC of Central Ohio in the operation of Ocali and to provide technical assistance in the administration and coordination of programs and services for individuals with autism and low incidence disabilities. The Board provides important feedback from a variety of fields, experiences, and industries, and serves to further the reach and impact of different program offerings from Ocali and its agency partners. The Ocali Advisory Board meets questions to share insight from the field and exchange feedback that is then incorporated into the department's related projects and initiatives. The department does not devote staff to the board, but program staff occasionally attend meetings as needed. Membership is determined by the department's director and the board's 20 members are comprised of individuals with autism and other low incidence disabilities, family members of individuals with autism, educators, clinicians, representatives from state agencies, and disability advocates. There is no dedicated funding source for the board and members receive no compensation. Vice Chair Santucci and members of the committee, the department appreciates the opportunity to present to you on this entity today. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have at this time.
Thank you, Jenny. Appreciate your testimony. Any questions from the committee? Okay, very good. Jenny, you may continue with the Ohio Dyslexia Committee.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the Ohio Dyslexia Committee. The department respectfully requests continued authorization for this committee as well. The Ohio Dyslexia Committee, created in House Bill 436 of the 133rd General Assembly, was tasked with establishing implementation guidelines regarding screening, intervention, and remediation for children with dyslexia or dyslexic tendencies. Ohio law requires that the committee develop and maintain a guidebook detailing best practices and standards for addressing dyslexia. That guidebook was released in July 2022, and the committee continues to engage with providers, educators, and other stakeholders on continuous improvement and implementation. The committee's 11 members, including administrators, educators, student support professionals, and either an individual with dyslexia or the parent of a child with dyslexia originally meant monthly to complete the guidebook. The committee now meets three times a year to periodically update Ohio's dyslexia guidebook and to monitor the implementation of the dyslexia laws, which are a key component of the state's literacy initiatives. There is no dedicated funding for the committee. Members are not compensated, but they are eligible for reimbursement of travel expenses. The initial one-time costs associated with developing the Dyslexia Guidebook and the required Dyslexia Professional Development course for educators were paid for using the department's literacy funds. Vice Chair Tsen-Chu-Chi and members of the committee, the department appreciates the opportunity to present to you on the Ohio Dyslexia Committee.
I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Thanks, Jenny. Any questions from the committee? Very good. Thanks so much. Thank you. The committee would like to call now the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Medical Advisory Council, Lisa Griffin. Hi, Lisa.
Hi.
Thanks for being here.
Thank you.
You may proceed.
I will say my testimony is on both Parkinson's Disease Registry Advisory Committee. I have that one first and then Children and Youth, but I just want to make sure you all can follow.
That's just fine. I think you can proceed how you like. That's good.
Okay, great. Thank you. Thanks for the clarification. Chair Kaler, Vice Chair Santucci, and members of the Sunset Review Committee, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony regarding the Parkinson's Disease Registry Advisory Committee and the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Medical Advisory Council, or the MAC. My name is Lisa Griffin-Chapa, and I'm the Director of Government Affairs at the Ohio Department of Health. First I start with the Parkinson Disease Registry Advisory Committee This committee is tasked in statute with assisting the Ohio Department of Health to develop implement maintain, and improve Ohio's Parkinson's Disease Registry. The committee brings together a diverse group of experts, including a neurologist, movement disorder specialist, primary care provider, public health professional, population health researcher, an informatics expert, and an individual living with Parkinson's disease. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that the registry is guided by both scientific expertise and patient experience. The advisory committee does not receive funding for their work. Advisory committee members serve without compensation and meet as needed with a statutory requirement of at least two meetings per year. Administrative support is provided by the Ohio Department of Health. The committee last met in November 2025 and will meet again next week, and I believe that meeting is on Monday. As Ohio continues to invest in the development of its Parkinson's disease registry, the advisory committee provides critical guidance to ensure that the registry is effective, accurate, and useful for understanding the impact of Parkinson's disease across the state. The registry will help to improve data collection, inform public health strategies, support research efforts, and ultimately contribute to better outcomes for Ohioans living with Parkinson's disease. For these reasons, we respectfully ask for the Parkinson's Disease Registry Advisory Committee to continue, and I'm happy to answer questions on that one.
Very good. Thank you so much, Lisa. Any questions from the committee? Very good.
Okay. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. I'll continue. The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Medical Advisory Council, MAC, I will note that the former name was the Medically Handicapped Children's Medical Advisory Council, and that name was changed to what is before you in statute, so that's why there's a little bit of a name change there. It's authorized in ORC 3701.025. It is made up of 21 members appointed by the Director of the Ohio Department of Health. The MAC advises the Director regarding the administration of the ODH Complex Medical Help, or CMH, program. for children, youth, and adolescents with special health care needs, previously known as Children with Medical Handicaps, or CMH program. The CMH program's mission is to assure, through the development and support of high-quality, coordinated systems, that individuals with special health care needs and their families obtain comprehensive care and services that are family-centered, community-based, and culturally sensitive. The purpose of the Medical Advisory Council, or MAC, is to provide expert guidance on CMH program clinical matters to ensure high standards of care and efficient CMH program processes and to advise the Director of Health regarding the administration of the CMH program, suitable quality medical practice for providers, and requirements for medical eligibility for the program. The MAC is comprised of licensed physicians, dentists, and other professionals in the field of medicine, representative of the various disciplines involved in the treatment of CMH clients, and representative of the treatment facilities involved, such as hospitals, private and public health clinics, and private physicians' offices. Members of the MAC receive no compensation but are permitted in statute to receive actual and necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. It's important to note that no members have submitted travel expenses, resulting in no cost to taxpayers. ODH respectfully requests the children and youth with special health care needs medical advisory council or MAC be retained Happy to answer any questions Thank you for your testimony Any questions from the committee
Very good. Lisa, just real quick apology to you. I address you as Lisa Griffin and it says Lisa Griffin Chapa. So I apologize for that. Thanks for your time. Appreciate your testimony.
Thank you, members.
We now will move on to Citizens Advisory Council with Kyle Moore. Welcome, Kyle.
Chairman Kaler, Vice Chair Santucci, and members of the Sunset Review Committee, my name is Kyle Moore, and I'm the legislative liaison for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today on the Citizens Advisory Council. The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities operates eight developmental centers across the state, which serve approximately 600 people. Ohioans with developmental disabilities who have complex care needs and require intensive behavioral or medical services receive residential support at these centers. The centers provide temporary residential placement, offering programs that teach skills needed to live in a less intensive community setting. Each developmental center has a citizens' advisory console. Consuls advise their respective developmental center and DODD on various functions of the D.C., such as reviewing budgets, programs, and services, participating in long-term planning of the D.C., and developing and maintaining community relationships. The consuls will also bring any matter that it considers important to the attention of the director of DODD. Citizens' advisory consuls are often community spokespersons sharing updates on the developmental center and building relationships within the community. Citizens Advisory Consuls are established in Ohio Revised Code sections 5123.092 and 5123.093. They are made up of seven members each who are appointed by the director for three-year terms. Members are to include parents or other relatives of D.C. residents, community leaders, professionals in relevant fields, and people who have an interest in or knowledge of developmental disabilities. Consuls meet at least six times per year or more as needed. The members serve without compensation, and DODD does not incur expenses related to their work. DODD is supportive of Citizens Advisory Consuls and the benefit they add to our system by allowing families and community members to be involved in the operation of their local developmental center. Therefore, DODD respectfully recommends the continuation of the Citizens Advisory Consuls. Thank you for the opportunity to provide an overview of the important work of these consoles, and I'm happy to answer any questions the committee may have.
Thank you, Mr. Moore. Appreciate your testimony. Any questions from committee? Very good. You may continue, sir.
Chairman Kaler, Vice Chair Santucci, and members of the Sunset Review Committee, thanks for the opportunity to testify today on the Technology First Task Force. The purpose and vision of Technology First. Across Ohio, many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities face challenges and daily tasks. Accessing education, securing employment, and participating in community life. Technology can play a transformative role in helping people overcome barriers and achieve greater independence. Technology First is grounded in a clear goal. ensure that every Ohioan with a developmental disability has meaningful opportunities to access and use technology to support independence, choice, and control in their lives. Establishment and charge of the task force. The Technology First Task Force was created in Ohio fiscal year 22 operating budget Its charge is to expand the use of innovative technology within service delivery reduce barriers that limit access coordinate policies across agencies to ensure consistency strengthen system-wide understanding of supportive technology. The task force brings together representatives from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Education and Workforce, the Department of Medicaid, Job and Family Services, Innovate Ohio, as well as other state partners. Impact and accomplishments. Since its creation, the task force has produced measurable progress. Policy alignment. Agencies have collaborated to reduce conflicting rules and streamline technology access. Support for people served, providers, and families. Training and guidance help local teams understand and implement technology solutions. Statewide collaboration. The task force serves as a central coordinating body for technology initiatives across systems. And finally, growth in technology use. Innovative devices, software, and remote services are being used more widely, increasing independence and safety for people. So why continue the task force? Continuation of the task force is essential. Although we have made meaningful progress, continued leadership is necessary. Ending the task force would risk fragmenting policy and slowing innovation, reducing statewide consistency in how technology is used, losing cross-agency coordination that promotes efficiency, slowing provider readiness and workforce support, and limiting access for rural and underserved communities. Technology evolves quickly. Ohio must sustain a coordinated structure to evaluate new advancements, align policies, and ensure equitable access across counties and systems. Simply put, the challenges facing Ohio, Ohioans with developmental disabilities, and the opportunities technology provides demand ongoing leadership and structure. So in conclusion, DODD is supportive of Technology First Task Force and the important role it plays in implementing technology solutions that meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families.
It ensures that our policies, practices, and systems continue to evolve alongside rapidly changing technology. Therefore, DODD respectfully recommends the continuation of the Technology First Task Force. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony and happy to take any questions the committee may have. Very good. Thank you, Mr. Moore. Appreciate your testimony. Any questions from committee? All right. The floor is still yours. Kyle, you're welcome to talk about the interagency work group on autism.
Thank you so much.
You bet.
Chair Kaler, Vice Chair Santucci and members of the Sunset Review Committee, again, thanks for the opportunity to testify today on the interagency work group on autism. Under the leadership of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, the Interagency Workgroup on Autism was convened in January of 2008. The Interagency Workgroup on Autism is established in Ohio Revised Code, Section 5123.0419, with the purpose to improve the coordination of the state's efforts to address the service needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and the families of those individuals. The Interagency Workgroup on Autism meets monthly to review state policies and initiatives, learn from current research and data, share learning, and identify opportunities to better communicate and coordinate supports and services impacting the lives of people with autism, spectrum disorder, and their families. The Interagency Workgroup on Autism is a multi-agency collaborative between the following, the Department of Education and Workforce, the Department of Behavioral Health, Ocali, the Ohio Department of Medicaid, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, the Ohio Department of Health, the Department of Job and Family Services, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Foundational to this work is the voice of autistic Ohioans and their families. The interagency workgroup on autism seeks input from people with autism and their families through annual surveys, stakeholder engagement at meetings, and Ocali's advisory board. In 2023, the interagency workgroup on autism expanded to include public representation, including Ohioans living with autism, family members, educators, and clinicians. Autism prevalence rates have continued to rise, with recent CDC data indicating that approximately 1 in 31 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This is a growing prevalence underscores the critical need for coordinated cross-agency efforts to support people with autism and their families effectively. Furthermore, findings from the 2025 Ohio Family Engagement Survey conducted by Ocali in collaboration with the workgroup emphasizes this critical need and the importance of a collective response to the priorities of autistic Ohioans and their families. Today, the state's response to autism is coordinated in a concentrated effort to move policy to action. A hallmark of the interagency work group efforts is the creation of an innovative and free online video training series ASD Strategies in Action This has nearly 150 users to date and it gives families and professionals practical ways to care for and support loved ones with autism from early childhood through young adulthood. DODD is supportive of the workgroup, which reflects the state's commitment to Ohioans with autism to live their best life for their whole life. Cross-agency collaboration ensures comprehensive and cohesive support, leveraging each agency's strengths to create a robust system for people with autism and their families. Additionally, members of the interagency workgroup serve without compensation, and so DODD respectfully recommends continuing the important work of the workgroup. Thanks again for the opportunity to provide this testimony, and I'm happy to take any questions the committee may have.
Any questions from the committee? No? Thank you very much for your testimony.
Thank you.
This will serve as the fifth hearing for invited testimony, and I'm tempted to say on behalf of Vice Chair Santucci that our work is almost done, but it's not. It's just begun. We now need to look at things, and we will be doing that. I know the Vice Chair and I will work with our colleagues from each chamber and with Mr. Cofagna and Mr. Talbot on what we need to be doing as far as developing some legislation. So we're over the first hump. Now we go on to the last hump, and we'll be doing that. So with no further business for the committee, we're adjourned.