Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Ohio Healthier Buckeye Council and the Office of Human Services Innovation.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Office of Human Services Innovation in the Department of Job and Family Services, which is required to submit recommendations to the governor on the following topics (Sec. 1):
• The coordination of services across public assistance programs to help individuals find employment, succeed at work, and “stay out of poverty”;
• The revision of incentives for public assistance programs to foster individual-centered case management;
• The standardization and automation of eligibility determination policies and processes for public assistance programs; and
• Other matters the office considers appropriate.

• Establishes the Ohio Healthier Buckeye Council, which consists of the following members (Sec. 1):
• The auditor of state, or the auditor’s designee;
• 3 members representing administrative departments;
• 5 members representing affected local private and public entities or individuals;
• 2 members of the Senate;
• 2 members of the House of Representatives; and
• 1 member representing the judicial branch of government.

• Requires the council to assume certain duties, including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):
• The promotion of county healthier buckeye councils throughout the state;
• The establishment of eligibility criteria, application processes, and maximum grant amounts for the Ohio Healthier Buckeye Grant program; and
• The development of best practices for administering publicly funded assistance programs.

• Requires the council to develop and promote ways for the county councils to reduce the reliance of individuals on publicly funded assistance programs, with an emphasis on the following methods (Sec. 1):
• The development and promotion of programs that have been demonstrated to be effective; and
• The identification and elimination of certain eligibility requirements for publicly funded assistance programs.

• Establishes the Ohio Healthier Buckeye Grant Program under the administration of the council and requires the program to provide grants to a county council for certain uses, including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):
• To fund projects that develop, maintain, and strengthen families;
• To fund projects that improve self-sufficiency to increase levels of income; and
• To fund projects that use incentives to encourage designated behaviors.

• Specifies that to be eligible for a grant, a county council must demonstrate an active partnership with various public and private sectors, including, but not limited to, the following entities (Sec. 1):
• Community health departments, systems, centers, and clinics;
• Schools and education programs;
• Chambers of commerce and other economic development organizations; and
• Local elected officials.

Full Bill Text