Latest news with #Ohio-specific
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lack of child care costs Ohio economy $5.48B each year, new Chamber report finds
Ohio's lack of affordable child care is hurting more than working parents. It's costing the state's economy $5.48 billion in untapped taxes and employer earnings each year, according to a new U.S. Chamber Foundation report. "Child care is a national crisis. Everyone is struggling with child care," Aaron Merchen, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's executive director of early childhood education policy, told those gathered for an Ohio Chamber of Commerce child care summit. "You're in good company." The report estimated the economic drag for multiple states: Michigan is losing $2.88 billion each year in economic potential, Florida is seeing a $5.38 billion hit to its economy and Texas is losing $9.39 billion a year in economic output. The new Ohio-specific report details the struggles that working parents know too well. Families spent an average of $572 each month on child care and 70% use some financial assistance program to pay for it. The most popular was the federal child tax credit. One in four parents reported that they or someone else in their families shifted their schedule or worked fewer hours to accommodate for child care. About 22% worked while caring for a child, according to the new report. 'Even if child care issues are not forcing parents out of the workforce, they do have an impact on employment,' said Blanche Delrieu, a business analyst for the Cicero Group, which conducted the review. About 40% of parents attending school or training had a disruption to their education because of child care issues. But the report also details the overall economic impact of that child care access problem, estimating that Ohio is losing out on $1.52 billion in tax revenue and businesses are losing $3.97 billion in earnings from turnover and absenteeism. Publicly funded child care is less accessible in Ohio than in other states. Ohio sets eligibility at 145% of the federal poverty level, which is about $46,600 for a family of four. All surrounding states have a higher threshold, making public assistance easier to access. Ohio does offer child care vouchers for families up to 200% of the federal poverty level, a new program that Gov. Mike DeWine championed. Merchen said that cutoff, wherever a state decides to put it, impacts who can access affordable child care and who can't. "There is a correlation between the line at which you are eligile for state investment in child care costs and the accessibility," he said. DeWine proposed a refundable tax credit of $1,000 per child in his two-year budget. But House Republicans axed that idea along with the cigarette tax hike that paid for it. Instead, they proposed a pilot program where businesses, state government and families each pay a portion of child care costs. The chamber report is the latest sign that businesses are taking child care access seriously. A recent Groundwork Ohio poll found 86% of Ohioans believed that increasing access to high-quality, affordable child care would strengthen Ohio's economy. Business groups like the U.S. Chamber and Ohio Chamber of Commerce are prioritizing access to child care in their discussions with state lawmakers. That's a good sign as child care providers, business leaders and legislators work toward solutions, Merchan said. "Ohio is taking this seriously." Read the report here: U.S. Chamber Foundation report on the cost of child care in Ohio by Jessie Balmert on Scribd State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@ or @jbalmert on X. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lack of child care costs Ohio economy $5.48B each year, report finds
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
Data shows growing trend for overnight stays at Ohio state parks
(WKBN) — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is celebrating its second record-breaking year in a row for overnight stays in state parks. The overall trend over the last five years shows increasing visitation and outdoor activity, as Ohioans and visitors from across the country continue to explore the Buckeye State's collection of 76 state parks. In 2024, Ohio's state parks recorded 1,112,179 overnight stays, surpassing the previous record-holding year 2023, which tallied 1,098,932 overnight reservations. 'The numbers reflect a continued growing trend of people discovering the joy of outdoor adventure and relaxation,' said Glen Cobb, Chief of the ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft. 'Whether it's a weekend camping trip, a peaceful paddle on one of our scenic lakes, or simply enjoying a day hike, Ohio State Parks offer something for everyone.' Not only do these parks offer sanctuary for those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, but it also contributes millions back into Ohio's economy. According to an Ohio-specific study by Tourism Economics, overnight park visitors spend $392 million annually — more than $1 million every day — on retail, food and beverages, entertainment, lodging and transportation while visiting. 'Ohio's state parks are a cornerstone of our state's identity, and we are thrilled to see so many families and adventurers embracing all the natural beauty and great outdoor opportunities our parks have to offer,' said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. 'From camping under the stars to boating on our beautiful lakes, people are connecting with nature in new and meaningful ways.' Of the overnight stays, more than 919,600 were at state-operated campsites, cabins, camper cabins and yurts, while approximately 192,500 nights were booked in one of Ohio's 10 state park lodges and the accompanying lodge cabins. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ohio mental health study comes to Boardman
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) — Ohio legislature has committed money for a study on the mental health of Ohioans and some of that money is being spent in Boardman. The mobile unit parked outside Mercy Health in Boardman belongs to the State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience (SOAR). It's the most comprehensive mental health study ever undertaken anywhere. 'We're engaging with families to study them for a long time,' said Dr. Scott Langenecker is a neuropsychologist on SOAR's leadership team. He's working out of the mobile unit. The study has already surveyed 15,000 Ohioans, asking questions about their mental health. 'And so we're trying to put that into an Ohio-specific model to understand what are the things that drive people toward wellness and how can we encourage people to do more of those things — and what are the things that are moving people towards more challenges, more addiction, more gambling, more substance use,' Dr. Langenecker also includes a Brain Health Study which is what the mobile unit is for. It has its own MRI machine. 'When we put them into the scanner, we're looking at how blood flow changes in their brain related to their experiences of trauma but also potentially related to their experiences of resilience,' he said. Dr. Langenecker compared SOAR to the famous Framingham Heart Study that changed the way we deal with heart disease. SOAR he hopes will change the way we think about mental health. 'So the story of SOAR over time is actually figuring out how do people get that little nugget of actually 'I can live tomorrow different' or how do they get that little bit of hope that drives them to make changes in their life,' said Dr. Langenecker. Already, 30 families have signed up to take part in the SOAR study as the truck remains in Boardman. They're hoping to get 120 more. It pays $350 a person. Those interested in signing up can go to SOAR's website, email them at SOARStudies@ or call 614-388-8223. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
