Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, along with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara Wente, unveiled a plan to inject $20 million into the establishment and expansion of six child wellness campuses throughout the state, with a clear mission to serve children and youth presenting complex needs while keeping them in proximity to their community, stated in an announcement by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's office.
Governor DeWine emphasized the importance of locality in addressing the children's needs, "These campuses will address a critical gap in care," he explained, noting the adverse impact of distant placements on kids requiring specialized services. However, now, children with complex needs no longer need to be placed away from home since appropriate services were previously sparse closeby. The initiative will focus heavily on safety, assessment, healing, and providing stability for these vulnerable groups.
The chosen locations include Talbert House Inc. in Hamilton County, Unison Behavioral Health Group in Northwest Ohio, Buckeye Ranch Inc. in Central Ohio, and expansions for Safe Opportunity Foster Alliance in Southeast Ohio, Cleveland Christian Home Inc. in Cuyahoga County, and Champions Bridge in Franklin County. These campuses will bolster Ohio's ability to offer healing in environments expressly designed for stabilization—the very essence of the initiative's goal.
Riding on the partnership with the Ohio General Assembly, these campuses will transform how the community addresses the immediate needs of at-risk children and youth. "Child wellness campuses are rooted in local communities," DCY Director Wente stated via the office of the governor, signifying a paradigm shift in how youth are supported. Campuses will convene wraparound team meetings within hours of admission, ensuring rapid assessments that guide comprehensive care strategies, which will consist of individual and family therapy, strategic engagement with local stakeholders via regional Child Wellness Advisory Committees, and comprehensive sustainability plans.
