CAPITOLCREATIVE

Ohio Alliance of YMCAs

40 West Long St, Columbus, OH 43215 BRIEFNAME December 2011 www.ohioymcas.org

A legislative newsletter for CEOs, CVOs, Staff, and Partners of the Alliance of YMCAs

IN THIS ISSUE

Ohio Granted Early Education Race to the Top Award

Working to Partner with OSU for Activate Ohio

New Child Care System Almost Here

Legislature Settles on Congressional District Map and OHIO GRANTED EARLY One March Primary Four Legislators Form Children’s EDUCATION RACE TO Caucus THE TOP AWARD Heartbeat Bill Haults Kasich and Batchelder Ask for This month the U.S. Department of Education announced that Ohio is one GOP Chairman’s Ouster of nine states that will share $500 million to help prepare youngsters for kindergarten in the latest federal Race to the Top competition.

Ohio's application requested just under $70 million, and the Ohio ENJOY THIS ISSUE? Department of Education announced Friday afternoon that the federal government will award the full amount. The state ranked fifth among 37 Feel free to share this newsletter states that applied, but its award is the largest of those granted. with anyone who you think may find it useful. In a conference call announcing the decision, Jacqueline Jones, senior adviser to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, said Ohio's application QUESTIONS, stood out in part because of a proposed technology collaboration with COMMENTS, IDEAS? Maryland, also named a winner. Linda Smith, deputy assistant secretary for early childhood development at the U.S. Department of Health and Contact Beth Tsvetkoff at Human Services, added that Ohio's proposal to expand its existing Step [email protected]. Up to Quality program had bolstered the state's application.

Also follow Beth on Twitter at “This is a huge win for the children of Ohio and it is a major step towards www.twitter.com/BethTsvetkoff, achieving the goal of having all students enter school ready to learn,” or at www.ohioymcas.org. State Superintendent Stan Heffner said in a statement.

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Continued from front page NEW The Ohio Department of Education led Ohio's application effort, working CHILDCARE with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Ohio Business Roundtable, and Battelle. SYSTEM

Heffner explained the following five "domains of school readiness" Ohio ALMOST HERE would focus on for the Early Learning Challenge funding: social/emotional development, physical well-being and motor development, approaches to The statewide implementation of learning, language development, and cognition and general knowledge. Ohio Electronic Child Care is fast approaching. Beginning Sunday, This grant award will affect child care centers, including YMCAs. During January 1, 2012, child care the next four years, Ohio will work to align all of its early learning providers serving children in standards, revise the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment tool, and begin publicly-funded child care will to measure child outcomes in state-funded child care centers. An Early begin using the Ohio Electronic Education and Development Officer also will be hired to work in Child Care (Ohio ECC) system. Governor's Kasich's office to oversee the work. Visit the CCIDS website for provider and caretaker resources We will keep you updated! for Ohio ECC at: http://www.jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/child Compiled in part from Hannah News Service care.stm. Below is an update on various components of the system. Eligibility and Authorization The Eligibility and Authorization WORKING TO PARTNER WITH system has been implemented OSU FOR ACTIVATE OHIO successfully in all 88 counties.

We are excited to announce an update on our quest to get the Activate Provider Portal Ohio diabetes self-management program that previously was funded The Provider Portal is the point of through the Ohio Department of Health back on its feet. We are moving contact to submit and make forward with The Division of Endocrinology to changes to your provider submit the program to OSU’s Internal Review Board. agreement, rate information, and banking information. Ohio YMCAs and the OSU Division of Endocrinology would like to Additionally, you can view collaborate to take the existing de-identified data the Ohio Ys have detailed payment information. collected from their ten-week education and self-management program and analyze it to see what changes are seen in a patient’s overall glucose Provider Website control (Hemoglobin A1C), blood pressure, weight, and amount of The PWeb is the website for physical exercise over three months, six months, and one year. providers to view, download, and print authorization, attendance, As you know, the Ys use diabetic educators, fitness directors, and the and payment information. philosophy of reinforcement over ten weeks to support the participants in Providers also can use the PWeb making lifestyle improvements. The benefits anticipated are improved to claim absent days. The glucose (blood sugar) levels, lowered blood pressure, lowered weight, and information on the PWeb cannot increased physical activity, and that the benefit lasts after the program is be accessed until your county is complete. This program is important because we need to improve using Ohio ECC, which is January community access to diabetes education and self-management, and the 1, 2012, for any county not in the component the Y adds is unique. pilot.

We will keep you updated on our progress!

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Continued from page 2 LEGISLATURE SETTLES ON Ohio Electronic Child Care CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT MAP Families with children authorized by Lucas, Butler, and Franklin AND ONE MARCH PRIMARY County will be receiving their swipe cards during the weeks of This month, House Democrats relented and voted in favor of a new December 19-30, 2011. congressional redistricting map as well as a combined primary on March 6, 2012, bringing to an end a partisan battle that began in September and All other caretakers and parents went through the Ohio Supreme Court. should have received their cards. If families have not received their Twenty-one House Democrats joined with all of the House Republicans in swipe card by Wednesday, approving HB 369 (Rep. Huffman, R-Lima), and nearly the same number December 23, they should approved an emergency clause to make the bill both effective on the contact the Ohio ECC Caretaker signature of Gov. and referendum proof. This action makes Helpline at 1-888-796-4322 to pursuing a referendum on the original congressional redistricting bill, HB request a replacement card. 319, moot. As you will recall, Democrats already had begun collecting signatures on that referendum for the November 2012 ballot. Provider “To Do” List If you have not been contacted After the House's actions, the Senate quickly moved on the legislation, by Media Riders, Inc. (MRi) to suspending the rules and adopting the bill by a vote of 27-6, picking up schedule an appointment to have four Democratic votes in the process. Following the Senate vote, your point of service (POS) device Governor Kasich signed HB 369 into law. installed, please contact them at 1-800-201-3573. The map in the bill virtually is the same as the one in the As Introduced version of HB 369, with a small change moving a Grandview precinct in Ensure that caretakers and Franklin County to the newly-created 3rd Congressional District. It also parents have activated their sets December 30 as the filing deadline for congressional and presidential swipe cards prior to January 1, candidates, many of whom already had filed on December 7 under the 2012. Caretakers must call the advice of Secretary of State . Ohio ECC Caretaker Helpline at 1- 888-796-4322 and follow the Those that voted in favor of the bill said it was the best option in order to prompts to activate the swipe avoid two primaries in 2012. Democrats also claimed victory in the card. If the card is not activated, establishment of a task force that will study a new system for redistricting the swipe card transaction will be and reapportionment that will make recommendations to the full General denied when the caretaker swipes Assembly next year. their card through the POS device. "This compromise is far from ideal, but it is an improvement," said Rep. Matt Szollosi (D-Oregon), the assistant Democratic leader in the House. Review these documents: 5 Things You Can Do to Help Your But a number of Democrats were not happy with the new map, and some Families Prepare for Ohio ECC, that voted for the previous map, HB 319 (Huffman), switched their votes CCIDS Resource Guide, Ohio ECC and opposed the new map. Among them was Rep. John Barnes (D- Provider FAQs, and Ohio ECC ), who railed against the changes to the new 9th Congressional Quick Reference Guide. District, which he said could affect the 11th Congressional District, the minority-majority district. Some analysts have said the new HB 369 map Important Dates gives an advantage to U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo) over Rep.  January 1, 2012: All providers Dennis Kucinich (D-Cleveland). and families begin using Ohio ECC to record attendance Other Democrats spoke out about secret deals, referring to a report from information. the Ohio Campaign for Accountable Redistricting that alleged behind the  January 22, 2012: Provider scenes wheeling and dealing between Statehouse Republicans and U.S. payments begin the cycle for House Speaker 's (R-West Chester) allies. service provided the week of 1/1 to 1/7.  January 26 – February 1, 2012: Provider payments Continues on page 4 deposited in bank accounts.

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Continues from page 3 FOUR LEGISLATORS FORM "Speaker John Boehner had more CHILDREN’S CAUCUS to say in this map than all of us in this room. That's wrong," said The first-ever Ohio Children's Caucus kicked off in December with an Rep. Ron Gerberry (D-Canfield). event in the Statehouse. Jointly chaired by Reps. (D- Columbus) and Dave Hall (R-Millersburg), and Sens. Peggy Lehner (R- Rep. Bob Hagan (D-Youngstown) Kettering) and Nina Turner (D-Cleveland), the group's goal is to develop said that neither a corporate head innovative policies to affect the lives of Ohio's 2.7 million children. nor a union head should be making decisions on redistricting. Specifically, this bipartisan, bicameral collaboration will provide leadership "I have never seen a process and work to advance a comprehensive legislative agenda with "targeted corrupted the way it happened priorities, outcomes, and legislative results on behalf of the state's this time," he said. children," from birth to age 21. After passage of the bill, House To help determine that agenda, the caucus leaders distributed a Speaker William Batchelder (R- questionnaire at the event, asking the attending legislators to indicate Medina) said in a statement that their priorities among the following child-related policy areas: it is the "second fair and legal map passed by the Ohio House of  Child protection from maltreatment (kinship, permanent families for Representatives in recent weeks. youth in foster care, clear criteria for intervening to protect children). I am pleased that the House  Early care and education (home visiting, child care/early education, Republican Caucus has led the early childhood mental health services). charge in not only passing a  Health (access to care; mental, behavioral, oral/dental, and addiction competitive congressional map, services). but also in ensuring that Ohioans  Juvenile justice (evidence-based and community-focused programs). have only one state and federal  Out-of-school programming (safe, healthy, and nurturing out-of-school primary in 2012.” time experiences).  Poverty and economic security (housing, nutrition, food security). Democratic leaders said that they  Youth transitioning to adulthood (job training/skill building, foster believe their efforts on youth emancipation). redistricting continued the discussion on the process and Lehner told those in attendance, "It is very important to me that this is an pointed out its flaws. “We have active, participatory caucus. Our hope is to develop public policy that will worked diligently to try and produce measurable outcomes in children's lives." reunite the primaries and ensure Ohioans have more of a voice Celeste said that, "At a time when a number of issues can be pretty across the state in picking their divisive, this is an area we know we can all agree and work together to representatives. I am proud that accomplish great things for the children of Ohio." He said the caucus will today my colleagues took the give legislators the opportunity to "step back from the political chatter" difficult but necessary vote to and work on issues important to everyone. save taxpayers $15 million, reduce voter confusion, and take Speaking at the event was Judy Cameron, Ph.D., a neuroscientist, the first step towards long-term researcher, and member of the National Scientific Council on the reform,” said House Democratic Developing Child in partnership with Harvard University. Cameron Leader (D- discussed research that deals with the science of early childhood brain Beachwood). development, the impact of early childhood trauma, and how research can help inform science-based policy decisions to improve health for Compiled from Hannah News Service children.

As two of this caucus’ priorities are early childhood and afterschool, of which Ohio YMCAs are the largest providers in the state, we will monitor

this work and make every effort to connect to the caucus members.

Compiled from Hannah News Service.

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HEARTBEAT KASICH AND BATCHELDER ASK BILL HAULTS FOR GOP CHAIRMAN’S OUSTER

Following passage out of the A Republican feud with House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) and House, Senate President Tom Gov. John Kasich on one side and Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin Niehaus (R-New Richmond) DeWine on the other became public early this month after Batchelder sent halted further Senate hearings on a letter to his caucus seeking DeWine's ouster. the anti-abortion "heartbeat bill" this month, citing recent changes In response, Kay Ayres, the vice chairwoman of the party, sent a letter to suggested by bill supporters. Gov. Kasich and members of the Ohio Republican State Central and Executive Committee warning that the battle could create a divide within "Supporters of the bill delivered the state party that could lead to 's re-election in 2012 and more than 20 amendments, Kasich's defeat in 2014. asking us to make changes after months of deliberation in both the Batchelder's letter claims that Republicans were victorious last November House and Senate," Niehaus said "despite the numerous examples of Chairman DeWine's attempts to in a statement. "These 11th-hour thwart our efforts." Specifically, Batchelder claimed that DeWine: revisions only serve to create more uncertainty about a very  Refused to lend state party resources to incumbent GOP House contentious issue. We've now members who faced primaries, "costing our caucus money that could heard hours of testimony that have been spent defeating Democrats." indicate a sharp disagreement  Refused to allow the House Republican caucus access to state party within the pro-life community equipment and targeting data "specifically compiled for our members." over the direction of this bill, and  "Actively discouraged donors from contributing to House Republicans, I believe our members need frequently stating that 'this is not the House's year.'" additional time to weigh the  Refused to allow House Republicans to participate in weekly arguments." membership meetings and conference calls.  Refused to include House Republican candidates on state party polling. But Janet Porter of Faith2Action, a driving force behind HB 125 The feud has been simmering since Kasich was elected governor. (Rep. Wachtmann, R-Napoleon), According to media reports, Kasich asked DeWine to step down after his said changes were largely victory, and other media reports attributed Kasich's absence at the party's technical and designed to answer annual state dinner in Cleveland to the feud. concerns raised by senators. She said they'd handed off the Batchelder pointed to comments DeWine made after being elected suggestions to lawmakers last chairman that said social issues have driven the GOP agenda and caused week. She added about Niehaus, it to lose voters. He also highlighted a speech DeWine gave to the state “His word was that there will be a party's central committee in which the Speaker said DeWine accused vote this year. As president of Kasich's allies of "being motivated by arrogance and personal profit." the Senate, he's free to call any session and any hearing he would In a statement, Ohio Republican Party spokesman Chris Maloney said like, and I hope that he will do so Batchelder's accusations against DeWine are not true. to keep his word.” “The claims laid out by the Speaker lack merit. The Republican Party will Marshal Pitchford, chairman of be successful in 2012, so long as we remain united in our focus on the Ohio Right to Life Board, defeating Democrats, not fellow Republicans,” he said. released a statement praising Niehaus' decision. "Ohio Right to Meanwhile, Ayres responded by asking Kasich to end the challenge to Life commends Senate President DeWine and members of the state committee. "We are all too aware that Tom Niehaus' call for unity within several members of your political team, both inside your office and Ohio's pro-life movement. We outside in lobbying firms, are recruiting candidates to run against sitting look forward to working with the members of the Republican State Central and Executive Committees," she supporters of HB 125 to identify a said. "In fact some of these people were spearheading opposition against reasonable compromise.” me in my district today."

Compiled from Hannah News Service Compiled from Hannah News Service

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