Lead Policy
Ohio Lead Free Kids Coalition Created and Lead Prevention Investments Sought in State of Ohio Budget
- Policy Director Gabriella Celeste co-authored the Lead Issue Brief for the Ohio Children’s Budget. Read the full issue brief.
- Special recommendations were provided for the state taking over enforcement of U.S. EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. Read the full response to the budget.
- See final budget investments.
Testimony of New Rules for Early Intervention Programs in Ohio
The Schubert Center, and many of our partners, submitted testimony to the Ohio Department of Developmental Disability (DoDD) who approved new rules concerning early intervention programs. We recommended that language be added to existing rules to provide children with confirmed elevated blood lead levels automatic eligibility for the Early Intervention program. Read Gabriella Celeste’s interview with Ideastream on what this means for children and families.
Policy Director Gabriella Celeste selected to serve on the Steering Committee of the Cleveland Lead Safe Coalition
“The Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition Steering Committee will set the Coalition’s agenda in response to community-identified needs, coordinate activities across the Coalition’s various committees, community Coalition priorities to the public, and engage policymakers on behalf of the Coalition.”
Education Policy
SB 246, The Safe Act, Aims to Provide Tools for Building Positive School Climates
Ohio passed HB318, which also included the SAFE Act, to make changes to school safety and reduce suspensions and expulsions. HB318 provides guidance on the roles and expectations of school resources offices. The SAFE Act limits suspensions for students in grades K-3 and funds professional development to foster social and emotional learning and positive behavior interventions and supports. Policy Director Gabriella Celeste provided testimony for both HB318 and SB246 (The SAFE Act).
SEL standards adopted by Ohio Department of Educations
As part of Ohio’s Strategic Plan for Education, Each Child, Our Future, stakeholders including educators, counselors, and other educational personnel developed “Ohio’s Kindergarten through Grade 12 Social and Emotional Learning Standards”. Policy Director Gabriella Celeste participated in the advisory group for these standards. Read more about the Social and Emotional Learning Standards.
Juvenile Justice and Police-Youth Interactions
L.G. Amicus Brief to the Ohio Supreme Court
The Schubert Center joined several other organizations, under counsel of record Marsha Levick at the Juvenile Law Center, in an amicus or “friend of the court” brief to the Ohio Supreme Court in support of a lower court’s ruling that upheld a child’s rights to special constitutional protections during interrogations and a child’s rights to Miranda warnings when interrogated at school (In re L.G.). Read more about the amicus brief.
Community Policy Commission Selection Committee and Mental Health Response Advisory Committee
Policy Director Gabriella Celeste continued to serve on Cleveland Mayor Jackson’s Community Police Commission Selection Committee and the Mental Health Response Advisory Committee, created by the Consent Decree. In both roles, her efforts have focused on adoption of policies and practices that reflect an understanding of child and adolescent development and trauma-informed interactions. New search & seizure policies adopted by the Cleveland Division of Police incorporate age-appropriate guidance.
Policy Director Reappointed as a Commissioner to the Ohio Public Defender Commission
Policy Director Gabriella Celeste was reappointed as a Commissioner to the Ohio Public Defender Commission by Governor DeWine where she serves in an oversight role to the state indigent defender board, including juvenile public defenders.
Child Welfare Policy
Policy Director Serves on Advisory Board to Cuyahoga County's Division of Children and Family Services
Policy Director Gabriella Celeste was selected to serve on the newly created advisory board to Cuyahoga County’s Division of Children and Family Services. The advisory board also includes faculty associate David Crampton. It will provide information and advice on policies related to services for children and families as well as coordinate between DCFS and community groups to improve community-DCFS engagement. Read more about the advisory board.