The Center for Community Solutions

The Black Child Development Institute is conducting a Dad Experience Survey. Share your experiences as a parent or caregiver and what support you need to help your family thrive. In less than 15 minutes, share ideas to help strengthen families in the community, guide programs, and create real support. Take or share the survey: commsols.com/BCDIsurvey | BCDI Ohio

Many students are already pre-approved for Summer EBT! Students currently on SNAP, on Ohio Works First, on Medicaid—and whose household income would qualify the student for free or reduced-price meals—or were certified to receive reduced-price meals in 2025-2026 qualify. Applications open through 8/14: https://sebt.ohio.gov/

On May 27, join a 2-hour Zoom event with representatives from the Fair Housing Center, Legal Aid, NEOCH, and local tenant leaders. The workshop will explore tools and tactics for taking collective action and delivering Housing Justice. Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/E9O2BsblQya3slAQjbNzCA

SNAP is the nation’s most effective tool to reduce hunger and food insecurity. After unprecedented cuts to the program in the H.R.1 megabill, however, participation fell by more than 3 million people nationwide in just 6 months. Cuts have shifted significant new costs to states, and economic conditions aren't improving. Read more from Center on Budget and Policy Priorities www.cbpp.org/blog/post-megabill-drop-in-snap-participation-is-steepest-in-decades

ICYMI: Ohio Medicaid fraud conversations grew more visible and charged last week. This is moving fast—and playing out very publicly, fueled by high-profile reporting and social media. Medicaid plays a central role for Ohioans, and the stakes are high. Policy response has been swift and visible, quickly becoming a flashpoint. Read more: commsols.com/ohio-medicaid-5things

An upcoming community health conversation will explore Hormones Across the Lifespan. Attendees will learn about and discuss puberty, PCOS, and perimenopause. Speakers will be announced soon. Sponsored by Cuyahoga County, The City of Richmond Heights, and Women Empowering Women and Girls. Register now: commsols.com/HormonesConversation

Legislative and community efforts are underway to address the maternal health crisis in Ohio. Recent webinars, events, and awareness initiatives answer some important questions. How are state agencies helping mothers? How are providers addressing Black maternal health and integrating social drivers? Are there programs that support expectant fathers? Learn more: commsols.com/addressmaternalhealth

The City of Cleveland has been experiencing obstacles as they continue to make homes lead safe for families and children. Still, they are making positive progress in their efforts to reduce lead exposure. There are three major developments that demonstrate how stakeholders in Cleveland are helping residents. Read more: commsols.com/leadsafecle

From June 2023 to January 2025, $17 million in SNAP benefits were stolen from recipients in Ohio. While the federal government previously reimbursed stolen benefits, it will no longer do so. So when benefits are stolen, they are gone, and people go hungry. Adding chip technology to Ohio’s EBT cards is a simple solution to the problem. Read the testimony: commsols.com/EBTtestimony

Activity at the Statehouse has picked up. This is the typical cycle of legislative activity in an election year—a busy beginning of the year, a quieter spring ahead of the primary, a burst of activity post-primary, and then a quiet summer ahead of the fall election—all leading to what we expect to be a very active lame duck session after the November election. Read more: commsols.com/MayStatehouse