Gov. Kasich signs Ohio Right to Life’s Parenting and Pregnancy Support Program
Ohio allocates $1 million for life-affirming pregnancy centers
Late last Friday night, pro-life Governor John Kasich approved $1 million for Ohio Right to Life’s Parenting and Pregnancy Support Program as part of the 2018-2019 State Budget. The program, which was initiated by Ohio Right to Life in 2013, provides discretionary TANF dollars to life-affirming pregnancy centers across the state.
The renewal of the Parenting and Pregnancy Support Program marks the 19th legislative success Ohio Right to Life has achieved since 2011.
Throughout the spring, Ohio Right to Life brought pregnancy center directors, workers, volunteers, and clients to the Ohio Statehouse to advocate for the program. The program was the focus of our annual Pro-Life Legislative Day held in April. To further advance the legislation, pregnancy center directors joined us in testifying in favor of the program in April and June. Pat Todak, executive director of Heartbeat of Toledo, and Rosemary Prier, director of operations for Elizabeth’s New Life Center in Dayton, testified to having served over 4,000 women through the Parenting and Pregnancy Support Program.
Jessica Koehler, Ohio Right to Life Director of Legislative Affairs, testifies in favor of the Parenting and Pregnancy Support Program.
Because of the work of Governor Kasich and the Ohio General Assembly, thousands of women and their babies will be served by this program. Pregnancy help centers are essential to building a culture of life here in Ohio because they offer women not only material assistance, but often emotional, medical, and educational support. By providing diapers, formula, cribs, parenting classes, prenatal care, counseling and mentorship, these centers are showing us what it means to care for the whole person and what it really means to be pro-life.
The impact of this program is priceless. In a political climate that can often pit mother and child against one another, this program gives Ohio another way forward, showing the country the kind of state we want to be: One that loves them both.
Ohio Right to Life applauds Governor Kasich, Senate President Larry Obhof and Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger for their leadership in funding the Parenting and Pregnancy Support Program for the third consecutive budget.
Ohio Right to Life thanks the following pregnancy centers and organizations for their support for the program: Elizabeth’s New Life Center, Heartbeat International, Heartbeat of Toledo, Oasis of Hope, Pregnancy Decision Health Centers, Pregnancy Resource Clinic of Clark County, Right to Life of Northeast Ohio, and Voice of Hope Pregnancy Center.
Advocates at the Statehouse urge the Ohio General Assembly to fund the Parenting and Pregnancy Support Program.