Ohio State's Nisonger Center seeks public help to stop elimination of federal funding
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center's center for people with disabilities would lose all federal funding under the proposed national budget.
OSU's Nisonger Center helps families and individuals with developmental disabilities. Now, the center is asking for help in return, calling on anyone who has used the center's services to submit testimonies about how the Nisonger Center has helped them in an attempt to keep its federal funding.
According to the Nisonger Center, the proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2026, which would begin on Oct. 1, would eliminate all federal funding for the center. Nisonger Center is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, or a UCEDD, which are facing dramatic cuts under the federal budget proposal.
OSU researcher: $700K grant canceled when DOGE misunderstood use of 'climate'
'We are closely monitoring federal budget proposals and the potential impact they may have on programs such as the Nisonger Center,' Wexner Medical Center spokesperson Marti Leitch said. 'We will be engaged with our representatives in Washington throughout the budget process.'
NBC4 requested an interview with Nisonger Center staff, but Leitch said the hospital was only able to offer a statement. According to the center's 2024 summary, one-third of all of its funding came from federal grants, or around $4.8 million last year alone.
Founded in 1966, Nisonger Center was among the first federally funded UCEDDs. It staffs around 120 faculty and staff and serves more than 38,000 people each year, according to its website. The center offers programs and assistance for all ages, from early childhood education programs to smart home technology training for adults.
'The Ohio State University Nisonger Center provides outstanding, nationally recognized programs, patient care and research for individuals with developmental disabilities,' Leitch said. 'The center's work is vital to the entire Ohio community and, most importantly, to the families they serve.'
See which 72 golfers are playing in the 2025 Memorial Tournament in Dublin
The center also found out this month that the National Science Foundation eliminated all funding for the Alliance of Students with Disabilities for Inclusion, Networking and Transition Opportunities in STEM. Nisonger Center workers posted on social media that the center had led the Northeast Hub of the alliance, uniting students with disabilities from Gallaudet University, Landmark College, Purdue University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Connecticut and OSU.
Nisonger Center employees said Ohio State students in the alliance began an organization and a faculty training initiative, co-presenting at 14 conferences across three years. The alliance was funded by a federal grant which still had two years left when it was canceled.
Although the canceled alliance grant cannot be appealed, Nisonger Center is asking anyone who was worked with the center to submit their stories through a brief survey to help protect its funding. Anyone interested in submitting a testimony can do so online here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mount Gilead holds candlelight vigil for fallen deputy Daniel Sherrer
MOUNT GILEAD, Ohio (WCMH) — The community gathered for a candlelight vigil Thursday to honor 31-year-old Morrow County Deputy Daniel Sherrer, who was shot and killed on Memorial Day. He died after responding to a domestic disturbance call where he found himself alone confronting an armed man. 'This has really hit the community really hard,' attendee Cathy Brake said. There were lots of tears, hugs, silence and prayers Thursday as people remembered Sherrer. 'I've lived in Morrow County my whole life and just to hear about this incident that's happened, it's breathtaking and it's really heartbreaking to the community,' resident Jennifer Fisher said. Outside of the growing memorial for Sherrer at the Morrow County Sheriff's Office, hundreds gathered for the candlelight vigil. 'Just a really deep, deep emotion of just thinking about his family and all of the officers that work here in Morrow County,' Brake said. The tight-knit community has been shaken to its core by Sherrer's death. 'Very, very sad thing especially for a small community like this and it almost made me tear up to see the community come together and support in a time like this,' said resident Hayden Styer. What we know about the conditions of the Mifflin Township officers who were shot Sherrer was a 2012 graduate of St. Charles Preparatory Academy in Bexley and studied at Bowling Green State University and Columbus State University. He spent his law enforcement career at the Morrow County Sheriff's Office since he was hired in May of 2021. 'Especially with how young he was in the department, only four years on, he had so much more to give,' attendee Abby Pence said. 'And from what I've read and heard it sounded like he was one of those good cops.' 31-year-old Sherrer was engaged to be married and is survived by his parents and other relatives. 'Just knowing that he's never going to have children, grandchildren, it's just sickening,' Brake said. Those at the vigil said in times like this there are often more questions than answers. Many are still struggling to make sense of Sherrer's death. Now, they're trying to find hope. 'Just seeing the community come together for this blue line family, it's definitely really meaningful to see how much support they actually have,' said Abby Pence. 'It's very heartwarming and it just shows the tightness of the community and the caring people that we have here,' Brake said. According to Morrow County Sheriff John Hinton and loved ones, Sherrer always had a smile on his face and loved the community he served. According to his obituary, Sherrer was an organ donor, choosing to help others after his death. Funeral arrangements have been finalized for Sherrer. According to Snyder Funeral Homes, visitation will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. on June 3 at Northmor High School in Galion. The school is located at 7819 State Route 19. Services to honor and celebrate Sherrer's life will take place at the school on June 4 at 11 a.m. Private graveside services will be held at Marion Cemetery. More details about Sherrer's funeral can be read here. A donation fund has been set up for his family. Donations can be mailed in or dropped off at Morrow County Federal Credit Union located at 800 West Marion Rd. in Mount Gilead. Checks should be made payable to 'Daniel Sherrer, In Memory of'. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE) Unveils Upgraded Aruba Networking Portfolio for the AI Era
We recently published a list of . In this article, we are going to take a look at where Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) stands against other AI stocks on Wall Street's radar. On May 28, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) announced expansions to its HPE Aruba Networking wired and wireless portfolio, as well as the new HPE Aruba Networking CX 10K distributed services switches. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE), an American multinational technology company, provides high-performance computing systems, AI software, and data storage solutions for running complex AI workloads. The HPE Aruba Networking doubles the performance capabilities of widely-deployed data center distributed services switches. These innovations are designed to improve performance, cut costs, and support the growing needs of different types of high-performance computing. A woman programmer in a modern office working with multiple computer servers. According to Phil Mottram, EVP and general manager of HPE Aruba Networking, the innovations announced by HPE tend to 'simplify data center and overall server connectivity at ten times the scale and performance and one-third the cost of traditional enterprise solutions.' Some of the latest advances announced by the company include the HPE Aruba Networking CX 10040 smart switch, the HPE Aruba Networking CX 6300 series campus switches, new Wi-Fi 7 access points, Application-aware networking across campus switches, and more. 'Data-fueled AI, IoT, and other high-performance applications are driving unprecedented demands for enterprises to provide cost-effective connectivity, no matter where devices and users are or how they access the network. HPE is again raising the bar with innovations that simplify data center and overall server connectivity at ten times the scale and performance and one-third the cost of traditional enterprise solutions.' Overall, HPE ranks 9th on our list of AI stocks on Wall Street's radar. While we acknowledge the potential of HPE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than HPE and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ohio lawmakers consider change to teacher pension fund
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio lawmakers are considering a sweeping change to the make up of Ohio's teacher pension fund that could force retirees and teachers off their own board. The State's Teachers Retirement System (STRS) has been embroiled in controversy of late, with retirees saying they've been denied promised cost of living increases while investment staff gets bonuses despite losing billions of dollars. Currently, a legislative subcommittee is reviewing pension boards around the country that could possibly change who sits on the STRS board. Over the past few years, teachers and retirees have worked to get 'reformers' elected to the board. These reformers won a majority of the seats of the 11-member board but retirees said multiple Ohio government officials are working to strip their power away. 'Everybody gets rich at STRS, our consultants get rich. Our investors get rich, our STRS management get rich,' said Robin Rayfield, the CEO of the Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association. 'The only people who don't get rich are the people who put the money in, and that is the teachers.' A manual outlining benefits was given to tens of thousands of Ohio teachers when they were hired, which says they are promised pension with a cost of living increase of 3% annually. Nearly a decade ago, STRS took that away and since 2020, retirees said they have lost 23% of their buying power. 'So we have teachers that are, you know, trying to live on 40, $50,000 I mean, they have roofs on their house that need to be replaced. They need to buy cars. I mean, how do you have an investment like that?' said Dean Dennis of a retiree watchdog group. FTC, FBI issue warnings about 'deals' that sound too good to be true This watchdog group has worked to get reformers elected that demand investment transparency and an end to lavish bonuses for investment staff members. Some of these bonuses are as high as $300,000. The group said they are receiving push back, first from Gov. Mike DeWine. A board member Wade Steen was previously kicked from the board by Gov. DeWine, before appointing G. Brent Bishop to replace him. But at the beginning of 2024, an appeals court determined DeWine overstepped his authority in removing Steen from the position. The governor called for an investigation into the board, claiming there is a hostile takeover by private interests at STRS. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost obliged, and called for the removal of Steen and Rudy Fichtenbaum from the board in May of 2024. Retirees said Steen and Fichtenbaum were targeted because they backed reform. 'The people that we have elected want the most basic, simple things. They want transparency and accountability,' said Dennis. 'That's all we're looking for, because without accountability and transparency, you can't fix a broken pension system.' The Republican controlled Ohio Retirement Study Council is looking into changes to the make-up of the board. Rep. Sean Brennan (D-Parma), a retired teacher, serves on the bipartisan legislative subcommittee and is keeping an open mind. 'I've always believed in looking for best practices,' said Brennan. 'So if there is something that we could be doing in Ohio that's better than what we're doing now, then why not take a look at it? And as retirees, we paid in and have very much a vested interest in the future of the system. And I think we we are required to have a voice, and entitled to a voice.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
