The Ohio Senate Finance Committee meeting on May 30, 2025, focused on critical funding issues affecting child care services in the state. Key testimonies highlighted the urgent need for financial support to sustain programs that care for vulnerable infants and young children.

Jill Kingston, founder of Bridget's Path, a residential infant care center, urged the committee to restore a $1 million funding line item for infant care services. Kingston emphasized that her facility provides essential support for newborns exposed to substances, helping 85% of the babies avoid foster care. She warned that without this funding, Bridget's Path may have to reduce operations by 50%, leading to increased reliance on hospital NICUs for care, which could result in a higher likelihood of these infants entering the foster system.

Susan Lewis Koehler, President and CEO of St. Vincent Family Services, also addressed the committee, advocating for $150,000 in annual funding to enhance early intervention and kindergarten readiness programs for children aged birth to six. Koehler pointed out that many children in Ohio are unprepared for school, with a significant number being expelled from preschool due to a lack of social-emotional skills. She highlighted the success of her organization’s trauma-informed care services, which have shown positive outcomes in behavioral improvements among young children.

The discussions underscored a growing concern among service providers about the sustainability of programs that support Ohio's most vulnerable populations. The committee's decisions on these funding requests will significantly impact the future of child care services in the state.