The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of school choice proposals in House Bill 96, the budget bill. While expressing appreciation for supporting Catholic school families through the EdChoice program, the CCO requested consideration of two proposals. First, to extend Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid (DPIA) to chartered nonpublic school students living in high-poverty areas. The second proposal is to allow the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship amounts in chartered nonpublic schools to match those in public districts. Governor DeWine's Executive Budget retained all the school choice programs currently in effect during the 2024-2025 school year.

In response to Governor Mike DeWine’s final executive budget, Brian Hickey, executive director for the Catholic Conference of Ohio, released the following statement:

“We commend Governor DeWine’s continued commitment to Ohio’s families and children through the Executive Budget, especially the proposed state child tax credit – a long-sought policy goal of the Catholic Conference for Ohio’s families. This would be a meaningful investment in recognizing Ohio’s families as the primary social institution of society and the foundation of Ohio’s future. We also commend the DeWine administration for identifying ways to use taxation for the common good, including recognizing the ongoing harms and addictive nature of sports gambling. Additionally, we thank Gov. DeWine for his commitment to educational options for Ohio’s families, and we look forward to sharing more about the life-changing difference Ohio’s school choice programs have had for children and parents in the budget deliberation process.”  

As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, we give thanks for the Ohio legislature for making a Catholic education affordable for all families. The Ohio EdChoice Expansion Scholarship program offers all Ohio students a scholarship to attend a Catholic school! Most Ohio families qualify for the full scholarship of $6,166 for students in K-8 and $8,408 per year for high schoolers.

Click "Read more" to learn how Catholic schools and the EdChoice scholarships are making a difference for Ohio families.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of Senate Bill 311, sponsored by Senator Sandra O’Brien (R-Ashtabula), which would permit students to concurrently receive an Educational Choice scholarship or Cleveland scholarship and either an Autism or Jon Peterson Special Needs scholarship. SB 311 would ensure families of children with special needs are also afforded the opportunity for an EdChoice scholarship to help pay for tuition at the school that best fits their child’s needs. Although the bill did not pass the General Assembly, the CCO will advocate for its provisions during the State operating budget deliberations in early 2025.

Ohio's Educational Choice (EdChoice) Scholarship Program, advocated for by CCO, is now available to ALL Ohioans after Governor DeWine signed the State budget into law on July 3! Students can use an EdChoice Scholarship at one of Ohio's hundreds of Catholic or other eligible schools. 

Click "Read More" for details on how to Apply Today!

Executive Director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio, Brian Hickey, issued the following statement commending the expansion of school choice and increased support of pregnant women, children, and other vulnerable Ohioans in the FY24-25 State Budget.

“Ohio's FY24-25 State Budget puts parents and children first in their educational decisions by providing the largest expansion of school choice in Ohio's history. For decades, the Catholic Church in Ohio and nationwide has consistently advocated for public policy that enables children of all backgrounds, no matter their income or zip code, to meaningfully access a school of their choice. The Catholic Conference of Ohio thanks Governor Mike DeWine, Senate President Matt Huffman, and Speaker Jason Stephens for their leadership in allowing every student to receive an EdChoice Scholarship for use at one of Ohio's hundreds of Catholic or other eligible schools.

Additionally, the CCO is grateful for budget items that invest in pregnant women, children, and other vulnerable Ohioans. These include expanding the eligibility of the Ohio Works First cash assistance for a woman's entire pregnancy, eliminating sales tax for baby products, an essential provision to stabilize non-profit senior affordable housing, and a boost in pay for direct-care professionals. We look forward to supporting more policies that express closer solidarity with mothers, families, and vulnerable Ohioans, furthering a culture of life and civilization of love."

Click "Read more" for additional details.

CCO Executive Director, Brian Hickey, sent a letter to members of the HB33 FY24-25 operating budget conference committee advocating for the rights of parents to choose the educational option that best fits their children and for addressing the needs of pregnant women, seniors, and children. Click “Read more” to view the full letter. 

The following statement is from Catholic Conference of Ohio Executive Director Brian Hickey on the passage of the Ohio Senate budget:

“The historic school choice expansion in the Ohio Senate budget would allow every student in Ohio to receive a scholarship to attend a school of their choice, including one of Ohio’s hundreds of Catholic schools. This expansion adheres to the Catholic Church’s teaching that parents, as the primary educators, have a fundamental right to choose a school for their children, and public authorities have the duty to guarantee this right. Ohio’s Catholic school community is grateful for the Senate leadership’s support in putting Ohio families and children first in their educational decisions.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio will ask the Conferencing Committee to keep these education provisions in the final budget and maintain provisions in the House version that address the needs of vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, seniors, and children. Public policy must promote the common good and allow all people to develop holistically, especially those needing assistance.”

Lawmakers are currently weighing budget proposals (House Bill 33) to dramatically increase the availability of school choice scholarships such as EdChoice, which currently provides up to $5,500 per eligible pupil in grades K-8 and $7,500 for grades 9-12. 

Click "Take Action" to send a message to your state representatives and let them know the benefits of making EdChoice scholarships available to all.

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On Wednesday, May 3, the Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of HB7, the Strong Foundations Act which would support mothers and babies to address maternal and infant mortality and improve health and developmental outcomes. CCO stressed the importance of the family as the foundation of society and the Church’s commitment to solidarity with the marginalized which this bill upholds. Reference was also made to the Catholic Charities and programs like Walking with Moms in Need in which the Church accompanies and supports women, children, and families.  

Also, on Thursday, May 4, both CCO and Frank O’Linn, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Cleveland, testified to support increased funding for scholarship programs at the Ohio Senate Education Committee hearing for House Bill 33 as the Senate considers its version of the budget. They also emphasized their support for universal school choice in SB11, which would expand eligibility for Educational Choice scholarships.

(Click Read More for Testimony Quotes)