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Providers and advocates press Senate to expand childcare eligibility and preserve preschool investments in HB 96
Summary
Early-childhood and childcare advocates asked the Senate to restore the House-removed childcare eligibility expansion (up to 160% FPL or higher proposals) and to replace cuts to Child Care Choice vouchers; Cleveland and statewide groups cited kindergarten readiness gains tied to high-quality preschool.
Representatives from Pre for CLE, Future Ready 5, Children's Defense Fund Ohio and other early-childhood advocates urged the Senate to restore eligibility and funding changes in House Bill 96 that would expand access to publicly funded child care and preserve investments in high-quality preschool.
What advocates requested: Katie Kelly (Pre for CLE) and Mario Basura (Future Ready 5) asked the Senate to reinstate the governor’s proposed expansion of childcare eligibility (testimony requested up to 160% of federal poverty level in one submission and up to 300% recommended by others) and to restore $25 million in Child Care Choice vouchers that the House reduced. Advocates also urged the Senate to keep statewide use of the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment and to maintain investments that support high-quality preschool options across public and private settings.
Evidence and outcomes cited: Pre for CLE testimony said high-quality preschool enrollment in Cleveland rose from about 25% to over 50% and that children attending Pre for CLE programs show kindergarten-readiness rates about 20 percentage points higher than peers. Mario Basura (Future Ready 5) cited rapid literacy gains in cohorts piloting aligned assessments.
Why it matters: Witnesses framed childcare eligibility expansion as workforce and family-stability policy that reduces turnover and absenteeism, improves maternal employment, and supports early educational outcomes. Brianna Booker (Children's Defense Fund Ohio) said Ohio’s initial eligibility for publicly funded childcare is among the lowest in the nation and recommended expansion to increase access.
Ending: No committee votes were taken; advocates urged the Senate to restore the governor’s eligibility and voucher investments and to retain the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment requirement for districts.
