Thank you for helping us celebrate OPLC’s 15th anniversary last week. We had a great turnout from friends, partners, and supporters from all parts of the state! The energy in the room was contagious as we gathered in support of our collective mission and work to reduce poverty and increase justice. 

With your help, we surpassed our fundraising goal of $10,000! From event sponsors and hosts and attendees to those who purchased raffle tickets or “pulled” a bottle of wine, your support means so much. 

The 50/50 raffle winner was former OPLC staff person, Sarah Biehl. Congratulations!

While we celebrated our work to improve policies for low-income Ohioans and marginalized communities, we still have much work to do.

If you were not able to make it, or you missed out on that 50/50 raffle, it is not too late to support the event and our mission. As OPLC’s Board Chair, Alicia Williamson, noted that night, “You’re part of a movement that’s creating real change for people who need it most.”

The Supreme Court of Ohio Reentry Task Force Recommendations Release

The Supreme Court of Ohio formed a Reentry Task Force to study the challenges individuals face after incarceration. The Committee started meeting in April 2023 and released its report and recommendations last week. Zack Eckles, senior policy advocate for OPLC, was one of 39 task force members. 

The report makes 16 recommendations to support holistic approaches for improving outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals. The report notes that interventions addressing health, employment, housing, skills development, mentorship, and social networks contribute significantly to a formerly incarcerated person’s success after leaving prison or jail. 

The task force recommendations include several issues that are important to OPLC’s work including: 

• Review Driver’s License Policies. The Ohio Department of Public Safety should consider reviewing amnesty requirements for potential reductions and waivers, partnering with the Supreme Court to promote statewide amnesty days for driver’s license reinstatement fees, and collaborating with the Ohio Poverty Law Center and the Office of the Ohio Public Defender to explore alternatives for drug offense-related suspensions and registration prohibitions.
• Enact Clean Slate Legislation. Ohio should consider enacting legislation to join the Clean Slate Initiative, a national effort to create automatic record clearance for eligible individuals.
• Ensure Identification Document Access. Ohio should consider enacting legislation to ensure access to state identification cards, driver’s licenses, birth certificates, and social security cards upon release. In the alternative, the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, the Ohio Department of Health, and the Social Security Administration should continue the current efforts aimed at ensuring access. Jails should also consider this practice as well.