2022 Budget Training Academy
In preparation for the fiscal year 2024-2025 state biennial budget process launching next spring, The Center for Community Solutions and Advocates for Ohio's Future teamed up to host a monthly webinar series to share updates on the status of health and human service issues in Ohio, predicted priorities, and give insight into the complicated process of developing and passing the state’s largest fiscal and policy bill over a two year period.
Over our series of webinars, we featured speakers with expertise in all stages of the budget process—from agency officials to legislative staffers and experienced advocates.
Although our training series has concluded, we hope you’ll revisit our webinars for valuable best practices about when and how to engage in the budget process and be an effective advocate.
Thank you to all panelists and participants!
Past Trainings
Budget Advocacy 101:
July 20th
Our July training covered Budget Advocacy 101 and featured three expert speakers:
-William Tarter Jr., Policy Fellow at the Center for Community Solutions
-Tara Britton, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Center for Community Solutions
-Christina Frass, Assistant Director of the Ohio Office of Budget and Management
HHS 101: August 17th
Our August training covered Health & Human Services 101 and featured:
-Mindy Kowalski, Assistant Director of Health and Human Services, The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
-Vanessa McMahon, Chief Legislative Officer, The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
-Steven Alexander, Director of Legislative Affairs, The Ohio Department of Medicaid
-Brooke O’Neill, Legislative Liaison The Ohio Department of Medicaid
Setting Budget Priorities: September 21st
Our September training featured presentations from member organizations of Advocates for Ohio’s Future and a discussion of their budget priorities and tips for budget advocacy.
Speakers included:
-Nick Bates, Budget & Tax Policy Director, One Ohio Now
-Jordan Ballinger, Policy Director for Disability Rights Ohio, HCBS Coalition
-Gina Wilt, Advocacy Director, Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio
-Tim Johnson, Senior Policy Advocate, The Ohio Poverty Law Center
-Katherine Ungar, Policy Associate, Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio and the Ohio Children’s Budget Coalition
Local, State and Federal Perspectives on HHS:
October 19th
Our October training focused on local, state and federal issues in health & human services. Speakers included:
-Rose Frech, Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action Program
-Mike Moroski, Human Services Chamber of Hamilton County
-Bhumika Patel, Human Service Chamber of Franklin County
-Kate Warren, the Greater Cleveland American Rescue Plan Coalition
-Ryan Bunch, United Way of Greater Toledo
-Soley Hernandez, The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Providers
-Ed Bolen, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, Advocates for Ohio’s Future and The Center for Community Solutions presented the 2022 Budget Training Academy Summit, an in-person training featuring expert panels of administration officials, state legislative officials, nonprofit advocates, and more, for in-depth discussions on the upcoming 2024-2025 State Operating Budget.
Panel 1: Securing Ohio’s Future: HHS in Ohio’s Budget
Ohio House of Representatives Minority Leader Allison Russo
Ohio Representative Scott Lipps, Chair of the House Health Committee
Ohio Representative Bride Rose Sweeney, Ranking Member of the House Finance Committee
Former Senator Charleta Tavares, Chief Executive Officer of PrimaryOne Health
Former Representative Sarah LaTourette, Chief Advocacy Officer, Ohio Children’s Alliance
Aaron Ockerman, President of Ockerman Consulting
Panel 2: American Rescue Plan Act: Local and State Perspectives
Moderator: Daniel Cohn, Vice President of Strategy, the Mt. Sinai Health Foundation
Christina Frass, Deputy Director, Ohio Office of Budget and Management
Councilwoman Stephanie Howse, Ward 7, Cleveland City Council
Joe Gilligan, Central Ohio Regional Director, Office of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
Michael Corey, Executive Director, Human Service Chamber of Franklin County
All summit attendees were also invited to join Stronger Together, our 2022 Ohio Health & Human Services Legislative Reception at the Ohio Statehouse from 4:30-6:30 p.m. State legislators, members of the administration, and HHS advocates and experts were in attendance at the reception.
Thank you to all panelists and attendees!