Gov. Mike DeWine wants to more than double the funds for home visitation programs to help curb Ohio's dismal infant mortality rate and develop at-risk children's mental, physical, and behavioral health.
The report from DeWine’s home visitation committee recommends making race and ethnicity foundational elements in infant mortality efforts, creating a central point for the intake and data of these programs, and expanding eligibility for families.
DeWine says he’ll put $50 million more into an existing home visitation program into his budget, which comes out next week.
And he’s also proposing a public-private partnership called Pay For Success, a pilot program to triple participation in home visitation.
DeWine wants to put $40 million toward these programs, which he says are also essential in preparing at-risk children for school.
Home visitations help families of children from birth to kindergarten, with social workers and medical professionals looking out for the child’s mental, physical, and emotional health.