Analyzing autism vouchers in Ohio

March 17th, 2008

EMBARGOED FOR MARCH 19TH, 2008 — Ohio’s autism voucher provides up to $20,000 a year to parents of children with autism. Families can use this voucher at private schools and agencies approved by the Ohio Department of Education. A new study by Policy Matters found that just 40 of the 127 approved private providers that filed claims for payment under Ohio’s autism voucher program in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 offered a school setting. Of these 40, only three did not limit or discourage enrollment by at least one of three criteria: degree of disability, cost, or religious belief.

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Testimony on the Autism Scholarship Program