WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, May 6, 2022

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending May 6, 2022

Governor DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine pictured with preschoolers at the Lima Public Library during their book reading tour in Northwest Ohio.

On Monday,?Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine traveled to Northwest Ohio to promote the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library at book readings in Lucas, Henry, and Allen counties.

The Ohio Governor?s Imagination Library mails kids one age-appropriate book each month until their 5th birthday. All kids in Ohio are eligible to be enrolled in the program at no cost to their family. Currently, 45% of eligible kids ? or 321,565 total Ohio children ? between birth and age five are enrolled.

Lt. Governor speaks during a roundtable discussion at Nehemiah Manufacturing in Cincinnati.

Lt. Governor Jon Husted visited Nehemiah Manufacturing?in Cincinnati on Monday to kick off?In-Demand Jobs Week 2022.

Founded in 2009, Nehemiah is a profit-for-purpose company located in the inner city of Cincinnati and competes in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry through the licensing of? brands from Procter & Gamble, including Tide Washing Machine Cleaner, Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator, and Dreft Laundry Stain Remover.?

The company focuses on ?second-chance? job opportunities, with a mission of employing those who have challenges finding employment.?

On Tuesday, the Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner announced a new collaboration with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), the Office of Governor Mike DeWine, and the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) to advance research related to brain health.?

The Department of Higher Education will provide the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of CWRU with a $2 million Third Frontier Research Incentive grant that will be used for a brain health-related project in the areas of prevention, early intervention, and slowing the progression of disease and disorders. A total of $1 million will be awarded in each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

?This new state grant and collaboration with Case Western Reserve University is Ohio?s next step in the advancement of brain health research. Ohio has been a strong innovator in health care, and with this news, will continue to uphold its reputation as we place emphasis on areas of prevention and treatment,? said Governor DeWine. ?The potential impact of this study could be game-changing for the millions of Americans who struggle with neurological diseases.?

Brain disease affects one in six people worldwide and includes a wide spectrum of disorders, from stroke and Alzheimer?s disease to multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury. According to a study by the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, brain disorders and diseases cost the U.S. economy more than $1.5 trillion annually, and more than 50 million American adults experienced a brain disease or disorder in the past year. Additionally, the Alzheimer?s Association states that deaths from Alzheimer?s disease have increased 145% from 2000 to 2019.

Lt. Governor Husted pictured with students, employees, and board members of TECH CORPS during his visit to WillowTree for In-Demand Jobs Week.

Lt. Governor Husted also visited WillowTree in Columbus on Wednesday for an?In-Demand Jobs Week?roundtable with TECH CORPS.

TECH CORPS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring K-12 students have access to Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) programs, skills and resources that enhance early learning and prepare them for college and career.

Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Dr. Jack Marchbanks announced Thursday that ODOT will invest $51 million into new traffic safety improvement projects to specifically address an increase in pedestrian-involved traffic crashes and fatal roadway departures on state and local roads.

According to ODOT, fatal crashes involving pedestrians and roadway departures both hit their highest levels in 2021 when compared to the previous decade.

"This is a serious problem, and we certainly believe that distracted driving is contributing to this alarming increase in pedestrian-involved and roadway departure crashes," said Governor DeWine. "The funding we're awarding today, most of which is going to local governments, will be used to make the physical changes needed to help prevent crashes, but a cultural change around distracted driving is needed as well. I continue to encourage members of the Ohio General Assembly to pass legislation to put more restrictions around mobile device usage while driving to make it clear that distracted driving won't be tolerated in Ohio."

The $51 million in funding will go toward 44 roadway safety projects in 32 counties. Nearly $30 million, or 58 percent, will be awarded to local governments in municipalities, townships, and counties for projects under their jurisdictions. The remaining funds will be used for projects on ODOT-maintained roads and highways.?

"Governor DeWine has always challenged us to be bold and creative as we work to address the rise in traffic-related fatalities. I believe this is both. A goal we share with our partners in local government is significantly reducing deaths on Ohio roads, so we must work together to get there," said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks.?

Governor Mike DeWine also announced Thursday that nearly $70 million in grant funding is now available for the recruitment and wellness needs of Ohio's first responders.?

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency began accepting applications for the new Ohio First Responder Recruitment, Retention, and Resilience Program today.?

?Ohio first responders stand ready to protect, defend, and provide life-saving services to the citizens of Ohio every day of the year, often putting themselves at risk both physically and mentally,? said Governor DeWine. ?With these funds, my goal is to help local agencies keep first responders on the job and attract more qualified Ohioans to seek careers in public safety professions."

The $70 million in grants is part of the?$250 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that Governor DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly dedicated to first responders to help them counter various pressing issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased stress and decreased staffing levels.?

On Thursday,?Lt. Governor Husted, who serves as Director of the Governor?s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced the results of the March round of TechCred, which will provide the opportunity for?Ohioans to earn over 4,000 tech-focused credentials.?This most recent round puts the program on pace to reach and exceed the 20,000 credential goal for this fiscal year funded through the state operating budget.

?TechCred continues to help Ohio businesses upskill their workforce, while also providing a great opportunity for Ohioans to develop new, tech-infused skills so they can be more competitive,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?This is the second application period in a row that over 4,000 credentials were approved for funding, showing that this program has become a huge asset for businesses and their employees.?

The March round of TechCred marked the 13th round of the program. Today, Lt. Governor Husted announced that?342 Ohio employers?were approved for funding, resulting in Ohio employees earning up to?4,121 technology-focused credentials. Businesses of all sizes are utilizing the program, with?95 new employers?joining the program for the first time this round.

?TechCred is helping Ohio businesses upskill their workforce,? said Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "Employees are expanding their skills, and employers are getting the talent they need to grow their business."

On Friday,?Governor DeWine and Ohio EPA Director Laurie A. Stevenson announced approximately $2.1 million in?H2Ohio?grant assistance to help 48 public water systems take the first step toward removing and replacing lead water pipes.

"By helping local communities develop precise maps of lead line locations, we're another step closer to ridding?the entire state of these toxic pipes,? said Governor DeWine. ?Addressing lead service lines is not only a key goal under our H2Ohio water quality initiative, it is an important component to our commitment to the health and well-being of our communities.??

Governor DeWine?initially launched this H2Ohio grant program with $1.4 million in March?but increased the total award amount to $2.1 million in response to high demand for lead line identification and mapping assistance.

?Awarding these grants today is a great way to end Drinking Water Week, which recognizes the vital role water plays in our daily lives and the importance of safe, clean water and lead-free pipes," said?Ohio EPA Director Laurie A. Stevenson.?

The 48 lead pipe mapping projects will take place in communities in 31 counties. All applicants are receiving their full funding request of up to $50,000.?

Also on Friday, Governor DeWine announced that nearly 2,000 pieces of personal protective equipment donated by Ohio law enforcement agencies will soon be delivered to Ukraine. In response to a request from Governor DeWine in March, more than two dozen Ohio law enforcement agencies donated surplus or expired body armor, vest carriers, and helmets?for use by members of the Ukraine?civilian territorial defense as they resist Russian attacks. The Ohio State Highway Patrol coordinated the collection of the donations and delivered the 1,996 pieces of personal protective gear to an undisclosed location in the Cleveland area on Friday. "I am so very appreciative to all of the law enforcement agencies that took the time to gather their unneeded equipment and donate it to our friends in Ukraine who are fighting for their lives," said Governor DeWine. "I also commend the Fund to Aid Ukraine and their partners who have been working to ensure that these donations will go directly to Ukrainian civilians who are bravely standing up to Russia to defend their country and protect their families."

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957