Policy responses to COVID-19 (Columbus, Ohio, & federal)

The following links and analysis have been lifted from our weekly policy newsletters, which you can subscribe to here.  

COVID and child care  

This week, Gov. DeWine lifted the state’s “stay-at-home” order, or more precisely – made it a voluntary health advisory for Ohioans to exercise at their own will. This comes alongside several steps toward re-opening businesses, including child care centers and day camps (allowed to open May 31). These programs have to figure out how to comply with regulations intended to limit spread – no small task given that, well, small children aren’t exactly known for their abilities to social distance or cough into their elbows. Here are two stories about Ohio programs doing such preparation. It’s also worth remembering that current health and safety regulations are likely to drive down centers’ capacity to serve families. (For instance, and this is purely anecdotal but drives home the point: the center my children go to for preschool/summer program is opening to 54 children, down from its 270 served at closing.) The strain facing our state’s child care system is even more immense than it was pre-COVID, which is to say – of urgent concern as it relates to the well-being of children and families.   

Schools   

State policy and education leaders are working to figure out what school can and should look like this fall. Education stakeholders spoke this week during an informational meeting held in the Senate Finance committee (testimonies available here, under May 19), signaling the first of likely many such discussions about the future of Ohio schooling. The CDC has just issued guidance on this topic, which Education Week breaks down for readers. (On a somewhat related note, Education Week also discusses why education may become a more potent election issue this year.) And Bellwether Education Partners offers a useful resource in its “Essential Questions for 2020-21 Reopening: A Planning Workbook for Education Leaders.”  

Meanwhile, the 74 Million has two worthwhile reads about Cleveland schools, for a more local take on policy as well as instructional issues in a pandemic landscape, as well as possible solutions. The first is about mastery-based learning; the second, the digital divide.  

Food and nutrition  

Here’s a good article explaining the specifics of the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program, which will expand food assistance for Ohio families. 

After an initial delay in making the announcement, Gov. DeWine announced yesterday Ohio’s reopening for child care providers and day camps, which are allowed to reopen May 31st. Full details can be found here. The plan includes measures such as:  

• Centers will be required to have reduced #s of children (9 children max for preschool and school-aged; 6 children max for infants/toddlers);   
• Masks are recommended;  
• Daily temperature taking; any child with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be sent home;  
• Intensified cleaning and handwashing procedures, and changes related to pick-ups and drop-offs.   

Gov. DeWine also announced that the state will be utilizing more than $60 million in federal CARES Act funds to support Ohio’s child care providers. Ohio will also be conducting a research study of best practices among centers dealing with COVID-19. The data will be used to study and inform the state’s decisions for child care settings.   

Draft plan on school reopening  

Ohio leaders have begun to plan for what the 2020-21 school year may look like. The Ohio Department of Education, with input from teachers, health officials, and the governor’s office, has developed a draft plan, published by the Plain Dealer here. Among the plan’s recommendations are social distancing measures, required masks for teachers and students, and prohibitions on field trips. Dayton Daily News describes the plan, highlighting the state superintendent’s thoughts that school will likely not look the same in August.  

Other state policy news  

• Dayton Daily News outlines some pretty bleak numbers from Ohio’s budget report;  
• The State Board of Education discussed its legal requirement to raise cut-scores for the state’s third-grade reading guarantee, and put forth an emergency resolution asking the legislature to waive this requirement;  
• Lawmakers in the Ohio House of Representatives are discussing a measure (HB 603) that would temporarily suspend student loan payments;  
• Ohio received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand food assistance to families with children who qualify for free- and reduced-price lunch;  
• Ohio House Reps. West and Upchurch introduced a resolution urging Gov. DeWine to declare a state of emergency on childhood trauma;  
• The Dispatch has a thoughtful editorial on the pandemic’s impact on our housing market – a whole other set of policy challenges to consider.  

Federal  

U.S. House Democrats have introduced new relief legislation, the HEROES Act, a $3 trillion relief bill that is not expected to pass the U.S. Senate. Even so, it’s worth noting what’s included in the proposal toward stabilization of the child care industry, as well as efforts underway to ask Congress to address the major challenges facing the sector. 

State funding cuts

The biggest policy news this week has to do with unfortunate impending state budget cuts, to the tune of $775 million. This is the reality when state tax receipts fall well below projections (April’s fell $867 million short, or 35% below where Ohio expected to be) and when states are required to balance their budgets (unlike the feds). A big chunk of this will be felt by schools, as the Dispatch describes here (and lays out Franklin County district projections here). Medicaid-funded health care, higher education, and other state agencies will also see reductions.

Funding cuts to health, education, and vital services to Ohioans are always tough news, and can cause much frustration with our policy leaders. These programs also constitute the largest portion of our overall state budget; they’ve seen sizeable cuts in recent history for similar reasons (the late 2000s recession). Overall, constitutionally required balanced budgets don’t care who’s in charge, and neither do viruses. Policy leaders at all levels right now face a tough road ahead.

More on schooling

If you’re like me (overwhelmed!), you may want to sit down before reading think-pieces or projections on what schooling will look like this fall. Gov. DeWine went there, throwing out a suggestion (only a suggestion!) for schools to consider toggled schedules. Ohio, being the local-control state that it is, will likely leave at least some of the decision making up to districts, but DeWine is encouraging them to begin considering alternatives now. Here are a few more reads on the topic, to tuck away for when you’re ready to think about this:

• A piece from Education Dive, outlining various considerations and their costs (like high-efficiency HVACS or an immense amount of cleaning supplies);
• A look at what big education players are saying on the topic, by Chalkbeat;
• Another look from Chalkbeat on what it would mean to “reimagine” education, at least according to Bill Gates.

Columbus City

According to a Council update this week, the City will invest $1.7 million in high-quality pre-kindergarten organizations to continue supporting centers and teachers and “to preserve the local early childhood infrastructure” in Columbus.

Columbus City Schools has announced a task force to begin planning for its “post-coronavirus” opening, according to the Dispatch. Many districts around the state are likely doing the same, and they have their work cut out for them. If you would have asked us to predict a single event that would throw so many education policy discussions into the air at once – class sizes, attendance, virtual/blended learning, the school calendar itself, home WiFi access, the logistics of nearly everything – we probably couldn’t have even imagined it. Here are a few good reads about the challenges facing K-12 schools now, and likely in the months (years?) ahead:  

• How schools will overcome the ‘coronavirus slide’: Ideas from 5 superintendents  
• Survey: Superintendents want assessment, accountability flexibility during coronavirus closures  
• From Wi-Fi to food drops: How districts are tackling the big issues now  
• Every student needs summer school this year to combat coronavirus learning loss  
• Teachers and students describe a remote-learning life  

In the days ahead, you’re going to hear a lot about learning loss, and achievement gaps, and what this all means for student learning – all of which is important. (Former teacher and parent here – I get it.) But you’ll also be reminded that for many families, the most pressing need may be food. Reliable WiFi. Healthcare and medication. Mental health treatment. Children deserve support for all of these needs, but if you find yourself winding down a rabbit hole about what it means to lose three months or so of math instruction, it may be worth remembering the big picture as well as what this means for all children in your community.  

Columbus City Council passed an ordinance last week to support open summer meal sites for Columbus kids, via the Children’s Hunger Alliance. Said President Pro Tem Elizabeth Brown, “This pandemic has reinforced the importance of providing proper nutrition for kids when they aren’t able to access meals through school… As the schools deal with the closure of buildings through the rest of the school year, I am grateful for the partnership of CHA to ensure children are receiving the meals they need over the summer.”  

State policy   

In keeping with the past several weeks, much is shifting rapidly when it comes to Ohio’s COVID-19 response. Major changes since our last edition include:  

• An extension of school closures through the end of the 2019-20 school year;  
• An extension for those Ohio youths who are set to age out of the state’s foster care system;   
• Guidance on upcoming graduation ceremonies for Ohio’s graduating high schoolers;  
• New guidelines for K-12 health service providers, including FAQs for providers serving students with disabilities; and  
• Many, many new regulations and discussions related to the “reopening” of Ohio, which you can read about on agency websites, the news, or social media. For the purposes of this newsletter, we’ll draw your attention to #4 in this letter from the Ohio House Democrats, which reminds leaders that “since schools are out for the remainder of the year, day care centers are closed, and many summer camps have cancelled, parents and caregivers will need a plan on how to ensure their children will be cared for when businesses reopen.”  

Federal  

Allocated from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, $13 billion will go to the nation’s K-12 schools to support student learning. This includes money toward distance learning, student health and safety, and planning for next year. 

More state action on COVID-19

Gov. DeWine signed two new executive orders: one allocating $5 million in federal TANF funds for the state’s food banks, and another requiring that nursing homes notify residents if a worker or resident tests positive for COVID-19.

The state is also easing requirements for Medicaid providers, and developing an Ohio coronavirus relief fund to purchase medical supplies and even route funds ($25 million from federal dollars) for summer meals programs at schools.

In the last few weeks, the speed with which the state has been forced to respond in order to mitigate COVID-19 has really underscored the importance of competence in government as well as trust in science. We’ve appreciated how closely our state (Gov. DeWine and Dr. Action in particular) have tried to align policy responses to scientific data and forecasting. This was important not just at the outset of the pandemic, but now that pressure is beginning to rise regarding questions about when Ohio will “reopen.” Gov. DeWine has indicated that he’ll continue to lean on medical experts to determine when Ohio businesses should re-open, yet even science is not always clear-cut (and there are varying scientific perspectives out there about the best path forward). Throw into the mix some interesting lessons/observations to be made about federalism. All in all, there could be a hundred different policy case studies to come out of this, and things are moving fast – as tends to happen during a crisis. If you like big questions and think pieces, read this.

Proposed state legislation

Ohio lawmakers continue to propose new legislation in response to the pandemic. You’ll recall from a past update: The Speaker of the House recently suggested that the legislature may be quiet for a while – so it’s unclear if or when these bills will receive hearings. FYI, they include:

• HB 606,to make COVID-19 an occupational disease under Workers’ Compensation Law under certain circumstances for food establishment or processing workers;
• HB 605, which would grant civil immunity to persons providing essential services, related to the transmission of COVID-19 during the emergency;
• HB 598, which would allow emergency medical technicians to perform certain medical services;
• HB 599, to require that emergency medical workers or funeral workers be notified if they have handled patients who tested COVID-19 positive;
• HB 600, to make it easier for those with a commercial driver’s license to drive an ambulance;
• HB 603, which would require Ohio’s Chancellor of Higher Education to suspend payments and waive interest rates on state student loans programs.

Federal

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Education released guidance for distance learning (with final rules expected out in November). Alongside this comes new flexibilities in funding. Specifically, the recently passed CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) allows schools “to repurpose existing K-12 education funds for technology infrastructure and teacher training on distance learning, among other flexibilities to move resources to areas of highest need during the national emergency.”

Finally, here’s a blog from New America on why child care providers are likely going to need more than small business loans from the federal government.

Columbus City 

City Council has been hosting virtual town halls; you can view them here on the city’s YouTube page. On the topic of remote gatherings, Ed Surge looks at how states vary with respect to public meetings and virtual participation, for school board meetings specifically. You’ll recall that Ohio lawmakers just enabled themselves to meet and vote virtually. We’d guess that in a post-corona world, this topic will be front and center: how will (or should) technology change our open meetings requirements?  

Columbus City Schools has purchased 500 unlimited data plans for students without home internet access and has distributed over 15,000 laptops. Not surprisingly, the pandemic has spotlighted the inequities facing families without broadband access or the technology to go with it. Read about national policy efforts to address this. While local efforts on the part of private companies should be lauded, this doesn’t seem like a permanent solution.   

State  

Ohio’s stay-at-home order has been extended, and state leaders now suggest the use of cloth face masks in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Other change this week include:  

• An executive order making it easier for patients to receive treatment from mental health professionals via tele-services;   
• A request from the DeWine administration to the state Controlling Board to create the Ohio Coronavirus Relief Fund (funded by federal stimulus money) to purchase more ventilators, PPE, testing supplies, and medications for treatment; 
• Additional payments for recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits;  
• Flexibility when it comes to Ohio’s high school graduation requirements;  
• A new bill from Rep. Tina Maharath that would denounce all forms of stigmatization, racism, and discrimination resulting from COVID-19;   
• An announcement from the Ohio Department of Health to begin random population testing, to learn how widespread the disease is;    
• Discussions about COVID-19’s impact on the prison population, and Gov. DeWine’s recommendation to grant early release to some prisoners;    
• And last but not least, an emergency rule to allow for the sale and delivery of alcohol, which will presumably help the hard-hit restaurant industry. 

In economic news, here are some things to know:  

• State tax revenues are down by 10.5%, according to the Office of Budget and Management. (Scroll down here for some interesting numbers – to see how the March revenue varied from last year’s monthly revenue. Personal income, for example, is down by 10%. Toilet paper purchases were up by 900% – just kidding, that last part was entirely made up. Wanted to see how closely you were reading.)  
• The number of Ohioans who filed jobless claims is immense.   
• The Dispatch has an important read about Ohio’s municipal income tax reliance, and why this puts our cities in a pretty poor position for economic recovery.   
• State legislators are starting to talk about the state’s rainy day fund, to fill a projected $2 billion (pending) shortfall.   

Finally, we must not forget that this pandemic is exacerbating and amplifying inequities in ways that are tragic and unconscionable.  

National  

Here are some useful fact sheets from CLASP that analyze various aspects of recent federal legislation as it relates to helping the child care sector:  

• COVID-19 and State Child Care Assistance Programs  
• Forgivable Loans for Child Care Providers Through the CARES Act  
• $3.5 Billion for Child Care in Coronavirus Package is Not Enough: How States Will Fare  
• Policymaking Principles for Supporting Child Care and Early Education Through the Coronavirus Crisis 

Columbus City  

The City reminds residents that all playgrounds, courts, and equipment are closed right now. This includes outdoor exercise gyms, basketball and tennis courts, and picnic tables. For families with young children wanting to get out for fresh air and physical activity, public parks and trails remain open – but it’s important to observe the city’s guidance on this and how to stay safe. You can also follow updates and guidance via the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department Facebook page. Meanwhile, we’re seeing many creative resources meant to help children stay active at home.   

Despite closures, local schools are finding ways to feed students. The Dispatch covers several efforts in central Ohio here. Schools can also continue to be reimbursed for meal services by participating in the Seamless Summer Operation or the Summer Food Service Program. Check out this map for available meal service near you.  

State  

The State of the State address has been – not surprisingly – postponed. State of the State addresses are used for the governor to outline policy priorities and goals for the coming year. At the moment, these priorities were sort of chosen for us. But Gov. DeWine has risen to the challenge.  

Gov. DeWine extended school closures through May 1. School closures nationally vary; see Education Week’s tracking tool for this if you’re curious.   

Last week’s Tuned In outlined highlights from Ohio’s COVID-19 emergency legislation (HB 197). Here’s a useful legal summary of the bill that we came across, with more extensive details, if you’d like to read more.   

Federal  

Congress has been busy as well, with three large efforts in the month of March intended to marshal resources for public health during COVID-19 and support small businesses and families.   

Those three COVID-19 related pieces of legislation are (and in order of their enactment):  

1) H.R. 6074: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act 

• $8.3 billion   

• Provides emergency funding for federal agencies to respond to the outbreak, supporting efforts that include vaccine development, medical supplies, public health grants, small business loans, and waivers related to Medicare and telemedicine.  
• Here’s a great analysis of how these funds are broken out. Legislative text here.  

2) H.R. 6201: Families First Coronavirus Response Act   

• Provides a guarantee for free coronavirus testing, establishes new paid sick leave requirements, increases federal Medicaid funding as well as funds for food security initiatives, and emergency grants for states’ unemployment programs.   
• Here’s a good summary, and a helpful breakdown of what it means for employers here. Legislative text here.  

3) H.R. 748: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act   

• $2 trillion – the largest relief package in our nation’s history and what folks are referring to as “the stimulus” (enacted a week ago)  
• Provides direct financial assistance to Americans as well as investments in unemployment benefits, hospitals and health providers, small business loans, and grants to the airline industry.  
• You can find a quick summary of provisions here; a more thorough one here; a good read on the bill’s impact on K-12 education here; an excellent summary from the First Five Years Fund on child care related provisions here; and a helpful graphic and article from NPR here.  

While we’re thinking about how the federal government can invest in and support the child care sector, this list of recommendations from Zero to Five is a good start.   

Finally, here’s a running list of COVID-19 related actions by Congress as well as, interestingly, who’s been tested or quarantined.

COVID-19 relief  

The Ohio legislature has been busy this week to bring relief to Ohioans during COVID-19. Wednesday night, the legislature passed an emergency measure that is, as of the writing of this, on its way to the governor for signature. 

The bill:  

• Extends the state’s income tax deadline to July 15;  
• Moves the primary election to April 28 (mostly via in-mail voting);  
• Codifies the governor’s executive order on unemployment compensation (waiving the first-week waiting period, and including COVID-19 related conditions in eligibility);   
• Waives state testing requirements for K-12 schools;  
• Prohibits disconnections in water service (and requires immediate restoration of service to any customer whose water was shut off for failure to make payment);  

• Allows public entities to meet remotely and for virtual attendance to count for achieving a quorum or in voting;   
• Extends the state’s deadline for publicly funded child care providers to be rated in the Step Up to Quality system, to September 1, 2020;  
• Suspends child-staff ratio requirements and maximum group sizes at child care centers, as well as enables ODJFS to continue making payments to publicly funded child care providers during the emergency (note, pandemic child care requirements still apply);  
• Grants news flexibilities and authority for the Director of Medicaid during the emergency, for instance to classify certain Medicaid providers as COVID-19 providers and direct Medicaid funds to them;  
• Extends health care providers’ licenses and establishes a window for renewal after the emergency is over;   

• Enables nursing program graduates to receive temporary certificates from the Board of Nursing to begin practicing immediately.  

These changes to Ohio law will be temporary, with the exception of one provision geared toward expanding the scope of practice for nurse anesthetists.   

The House also proposed a number of COVID-19 related bills this week, which may or may not see movement now that the Senate has passed its particular COVID-19 related bill. (And according to Gongwer News, Speaker Larry Householder indicated that this “likely represents the end of legislative action in the state for the near future.”) Those include bills aiming to:  

• Transfer money to Ohio’s unemployment compensation fund;   
• Make a number of emergency changes to public health and medicine that would allow physician assistants to practice more immediately, require that EMT personnel be notified if they’ve come into contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, require that insurers (and Medicaid) cover a 90-day supply of medication, as well as cover COVID-19 testing, and telemedicine.  

• Prevent utility disruptions during COVID-19;  
• Increase the percentage of money flowing from state coffers (the General Revenue Fund, or GRF) to local governments;   
• Prohibit foreclosures and evictions during COVID-19 and support homeless shelters.  

Child care  

As of yesterday, all child care providers in Ohio must be operating under a pandemic child care license (until April 30). This temporary license establishes new limits and requirements, such as six children per room (and teacher) and cleaning recommendations. It also prioritizes coverage for children of the state’s essential workers. You can find more on the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family services site here or, if you’re a provider with questions, call the Child Care Help Desk to speak to a child care specialist (877-302-2347).  

Standardized testing  

Gov. DeWine and state lawmakers have been signaling their intent to suspend standardized testing for the year. That was made official in the emergency provision (HB 197), which will waive the mandate on state exams as well as put a pause on the report card accountability system (for 2019-20). Now Ohio must apply to the feds for the exemption; the U.S. Department of Education has already said it would waive annual testing requirements. 

Columbus  

This week, City Council approved $1 million in emergency support for local families, via Ordinance 0738-2020. Funds will be used to support families in need of housing or food assistance. Check out the city’s website for frequent updates.  

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has declared a state of emergency, allowing him to move quickly to acquire needed supplies, order city employees to stay home, and more. Ohio as well as the U.S. are also under respective states of emergencies, enabling them to move quickly and drawn down much-needed resources. Here is a good article on how declaring a state of emergency can help governments respond to the crisis.   

State of Ohio  

Gov. DeWine’s rapid and evidence-based response, alongside Director of Public Health Dr. Amy Acton, has drawn much praise and national attention and has even spawned a t-shirt. All of which to say, Ohio may very well be ahead of the national curve in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Recent actions have included:  

• Closures of K-12 schools, gyms, rec centers, bowling alleys, movie theaters, indoor water and trampoline parks, bars and restaurants, BMVs, barber shops and hair salons, spas, and tattoo parlors.  
• An order for hospitals, veterinarians and dentists to delay elective surgeries.  

• Bans on mass gatherings larger than 50.  
• Restrictions on visits to prisons and nursing homes.  
• A request of employers who remain open to check the temperature of employees arriving at work.  
• A recommendation for Ohio colleges and universities to move to e-learning.   
• Regulatory changes related to unemployment insurance, making it easier for people to access benefits.  

• A request to the feds for small business loans. According to Gongwer News, Gov. DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted sent a letter on Tuesday to the U.S. Small Business Administration, asking for Economic Injury Disaster Loans to be made available for Ohio small businesses. If granted, companies to could apply for loans of up to $2 million to offset lost revenue related to the pandemic.  
• Telemedicine changes, made by the State Medical Board, that would make it easier for professionals to practice telemedicine as well as for staff to license out-of-state doctors and providers.   

Child care updates. First, Gov. DeWine issued an executive order that would temporarily change child care regulations, specifically to ease staff-to-child ratio requirements for child care centers as well as increase paid absent days for publicly funded programs (from 10 to 20). “It also allows for 21 paid days for programs forced to close because of the pandemic.”  

ODJFS just created a new landing page for information on child care during the pandemic. The state will also allow programs to apply to become licensed as a “pandemic child care provider.” (Those licensing procedures can be found here; application here.) As reported by Gongwer News, “Facilities operating under temporary pandemic child care licenses will face eased regulations, with rules on child safety remaining in effect. ‘It is important that professionals who are essential to protecting the public are able to ensure their families have safe places to go while they are at work,’ Gov. DeWine said in a statement. ‘Helping to address this need allows our health and safety providers to focus on protecting and caring for all Ohioans.’ The temporary licenses will be available to existing child care centers as well as new facilities created in response to the crisis. ‘Health care workers, first responders, and those working so hard to provide Ohioans with essential services are needed now more than ever. These measures will ensure that these families can maintain their work schedules, while resting assured that their children are safe,’ ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall said. ‘These measures will be in force for the duration of the pandemic.’” 

Gov. DeWine also hinted at possible forthcoming daycare closures, asking parents to begin planning for their eventual closure – as of this Wednesday’s press conference. He urged parents and caregivers to “remove students from these programs to the extent possible… in the interest of public health. These programs should be limited in nature and used to serve students for whom no other reasonable care alternative exists.”   

Finally, be sure to check out Groundwork’s excellent recommendations to state administrators for supporting young children, families, and child care providers.   

Meanwhile, just as Ohio’s K-12 schools were about to start state testing, legislators are working on a bill that would eliminate consequences related to test results. The state still needs to figure out federal requirements related to annual exams, but given how many are shuttering, we’re guessing the feds will be lenient on this. Also up in the air are details related to high school graduation.  

Given the speed with which all this is happening, we’ve never felt more gratitude for our public officials demonstrating leadership, making tough choices, and moving quickly for the public good. The same is true for doctors, nurses, medical staff, delivery workers, grocery store employees, and essential workers of all kinds who are keeping our systems up and running and demonstrating extraordinary sacrifice.  

Get familiar with Ohio’s one stop resource for updates related to COVID-19. And here is a list of FAQs for Ohio school districts, posted by the Ohio Department of Education.    

A note here on the growing role for all of us  

While government officials have been moving swiftly to respond, so have others – like Columbus utility companies suspending non-payment disconnections, universities stepping up for the safety of students and faculty, and non-profits providing critical information and services.  

There are so many ways for all of us to help.