Pediatrician, commissioners stress need to fund foster-care health services as levy debate nears

Mary Griner, M.D., a pediatrician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and medical director for the foster-care health program, told the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners that mandated health evaluations for children entering foster care have identified urgent, previously unknown conditions and prevented crises. “These evaluations are really essential,” Griner said, describing a 2-year-old whose prior diagnosis of HIV and need for nighttime oxygen were unknown to a new foster family and a 15-year-old with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes who required prompt hospital admission.

The testimony came during public comment as commissioners prepare decisions about a children’s services tax levy. Griner said the county’s program has secured a federal grant to add substance-use prevention services and established a near real-time digital platform that helps caseworkers and clinicians share critical medical information quickly. “We were able to provide immediate caregiver training and ensure necessary equipment was delivered the same day,” she said.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff have warned that rising placement and service costs are stressing the county budget and that one-time funds will not cover ongoing needs. Griner’s account illustrated the kinds of immediate medical interventions county-funded evaluations can enable, and she urged voters to support the levy so those services can continue.

Commissioner Alicia Reese, in subsequent remarks, emphasized broader fiscal pressure on county services and urged exploration of new revenue approaches while acknowledging the difficulty facing homeowners. Commissioner Driehaus, who previously chaired state and national meetings on similar topics, said the county must avoid relying on one-time revenue streams for recurring expenses.

Details and next steps: Griner said every adolescent in foster care is now screened and offered substance-use intervention during clinic visits, and she framed that care as dependent on stable county funding. The board did not take immediate action on the levy during the meeting; commissioners discussed timing and the need to present clear budget information to residents before any ballot measure is finalized.

The county is scheduled to continue budget and levy discussions at future meetings; no formal vote on the levy occurred at this session.