SCIP-2026 State Court Improvement Program – Formula Grant Award Summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio received a formula grant award of $1.09M from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) under the State Court Improvement Program (CFDA 93.586) for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027. This funding supports the court's efforts to assess and improve the quality and effectiveness of court processes related to child welfare, family preservation, and adoption proceedings in Ohio. The grant enables the Supreme Court of Ohio to design and conduct assessments that identify barriers to timely and effective decision-making in child welfare cases, with an emphasis on enhancing legal representation and judicial practices that support child safety, permanency, and well-being.

As a formula grant recipient, the Supreme Court of Ohio will utilize the funding to implement court process improvements and specialized docket enhancements within the state's judicial system. The program provides flexibility for the court to tailor its assessment and improvement initiatives to Ohio-specific needs and priorities in child welfare court operations. The award represents part of a broader federal commitment to strengthening state court systems' capacity to effectively manage child welfare proceedings, consistent with the State Court Improvement Program's national focus on judicial system effectiveness across multiple jurisdictions.