COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A legislative proposal would help Ohio parents keep custody of troubled children who require desperately needed and expensive services.
A measure in the Senate version of Ohio's two-year budget is aimed at so-called "multisystem youths" who need help from service agencies that cover disabilities, child welfare and mental health.
Ohio's current system sometimes means parents must relinquish custody to the state to obtain help for their child because they don't have the money and insurance coverage.
The Senate budget plan introduced last week includes $10 million to prevent such custody handovers. It also requires the state to assess conditions leading to families needing to relinquish custody to receive services.
