Buckeye Reporter

Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) visited two career technical schools in Columbus and Dayton to discuss the Food Eligibility for Education and Development (FEED) Act. The proposed legislation aims to update Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility rules, allowing students aged 18 to 21 who are enrolled in approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to work part-time without their earnings affecting their or their families’ SNAP benefits.

“Ohio and the nation need hardworking Americans more than ever to help fill critical job needs. The FEED Act updates SNAP laws so that career tech students can continue their education without losing the benefits their parents and siblings may rely on. If you can work, you should work, and the government should remove any barriers that may deter young people from taking the right steps to earn a great career,” said Husted.

During his visit, Husted met with faculty and students at Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical School in Groveport and Stebbins Career Tech Center in Dayton. Eastland-Fairfield serves over 5,000 students across 16 school districts in Franklin, Fairfield, and Pickaway counties, offering more than 40 programs for high school and adult learners. Stebbins High School and CTC educates about 1,100 students from grades 9 to 12 with ten CTE programs across eight pathways.

Husted’s visits are part of his ongoing efforts to support workforce development by providing students with skills needed for high-paying jobs. As lieutenant governor, he expanded access to career technical education throughout Ohio. He also initiated programs such as TechCred and the Individual Microcredential Assistance Program to help residents obtain credentials for better employment opportunities.

Previously, as lieutenant governor, Husted advocated for federal approval of a waiver requested by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services so that CTE students would not risk losing SNAP benefits due to participation in these educational programs—a concern his current legislation seeks to address.