With the pandemic creating new challenges for remote school learning through at least the end of the year, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a new program on August 24 that will let “child care providers that are licensed with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Department of Education care for school-age children who are learning remotely during the school day,” according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
How This Relates to Child Custody
This program aims to expand child care options for families through the fall and could provide additional support to spouses who may be battling for custody and need professional, reliable childcare during the workday in order to show a healthy, balanced lifestyle representing their child’s best interests.
Before parents may have had significant issues looking for daytime child care, especially in joint custody situations, but now can look to a growing roster of approved care facilities to send their children and could help ease the burden for all involved.
A New License for Non-Traditional Care Centers
The Enquirer also reports that Ohio Jobs and Family Services (JFS) is going to launch a new “Temporary Pandemic School-age Child Care” license, which will open churches, recreation centers and businesses that would like to becomes safe places for children to be supervised when they’re not learning in school buildings. Again, this offers potential new respite for families who may have had their preferred child care center close or need an option closer to work or home.
In summary, these public agency adjustments will help open new avenues for families searching for childcare and broaden horizons for spouses working through custody issues. A safe place for their children during the workday could be a key point in negotiating pertinent resolutions.
At Garretson & Holcomb, LLC, we work to stay on top of the latest pandemic-related changes as these new developments directly affect the guidance we can provide to our clients in Warren and Butler Counties. If you’re starting to work through a custody dispute, call us today at (513) 863-6600 to learn more.
