Commissioners vote to dissolve Lake County Family and Children First Council, cite OhioRISE and funding shifts

The Lake County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to dissolve the Family and Children First Council after a substantive discussion about service duplication and funding. Commissioners who supported the change said the decision reflects a shift in how children's services are delivered in Ohio; county staff pointed to recent legislation and the expansion of OhioRISE, a Medicaid program, as factors reducing the council’s role.

One commissioner said the objective is to "cut bureaucracy" and avoid multiple organizations doing the same work, but also warned that losing the council could make it harder to secure funding for programs for families and children if state and federal contributions decline. County job and family services staff explained that legislation passed in July (effective in September) allows boards of county commissioners to dissolve councils that meet certain criteria and that their steering committee examined local services before making the recommendation.

The board discussed continuity of services and whether non‑council organizations and OhioRISE could fill gaps. No specific dollar amounts tied to the council’s budget were provided in the public remarks. The resolution passed on roll call; commissioners recorded aye votes.

Context County staff said OhioRISE and other organizations have assumed many functions previously handled by Family and Children First Councils. Several commissioners emphasized the desire to streamline service delivery but also asked for attention to how families will continue to be served locally.

Next steps The dissolution resolution was adopted; staff and stakeholders will need to track how services formerly coordinated by the council are transitioned, and whether alternative funding streams or programs will be required to maintain current service levels.