COLUMBUS, Ohio (AVC News) — More than $55 million in federal funding will support expanded vision, dental and school-based health care services for children and families in rural Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine announced.
The funding through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program will support three initiatives: expanding the OhioSEE vision program statewide, launching a new school-based dental program called OhioDENTAL, and opening or expanding school-based health centers.
More than $18 million, combined with existing state funds, will expand OhioSEE to all 88 Ohio counties. The program brings vision services directly to schools through mobile vision vans or temporary clinics, where students can receive comprehensive eye exams from optometrists and glasses when needed.
OhioSEE launched in January as a pilot program in 15 counties with the greatest need. It has since expanded to 252 public school districts. In the original pilot area, 91% of eligible districts are enrolled and providing services to students in kindergarten through third grade.
Under the expansion, students in kindergarten through 12th grade will be eligible for services in the 73 counties eligible for the Rural Health Transformation Program.
Another $17 million will support efforts to improve access to dental care. The new OhioDENTAL program will follow a model similar to OhioSEE, bringing dental services to participating schools through mobile dental vehicles or temporary clinics. Providers will also connect patients with traditional dental offices when additional care is needed.
Funding will also support training for primary care medical professionals to incorporate oral health assessments, treatments and referrals into their practices. A new collaborative will work to increase the number of Ohio dentists who accept Medicaid.
The state cited the 2024 National Survey of Children’s Health, which found Ohio trails other states in the percentage of children receiving preventive dental visits. Costs and a lack of providers can make dental care difficult to access for rural families.
More than $20 million will support school-based health centers, including 17 new sites in 15 counties and funding for the expansion or continued operation of 49 existing centers in 25 counties.
New health centers are planned in Allen, Darke, Greene, Guernsey, Highland, Lawrence, Marion, Morgan, Noble, Paulding, Perry, Sandusky, Scioto, Washington and Wood counties. Noble and Washington counties will each receive two new sites.
Existing centers receiving funding for expansion include locations in Adams, Allen, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Coshocton, Darke, Erie, Gallia, Harrison, Highland, Jefferson, Lawrence, Logan, Muskingum, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas and Washington counties.
School-based health centers provide primary care services on school campuses, reducing transportation barriers and missed classroom time. They also serve people in the surrounding communities.
DeWine announced in December 2025 that Ohio had received more than $200 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program awards. Previous funding announcements included $10 million for rural health workforce improvements, $3.15 million for expanded pharmacy connectivity and $92 million to improve access to preventive, primary, maternal and behavioral health care in rural communities.
Additional information about the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program and its initiatives is available through the Ohio Department of Health.
Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by AVC News
