$1.5 Million Safety Grant Comes to Fairfield County ESC

Article Presented By Adena Health…

(Lancaster) – Fairfield County Education Service Center (ESC) in partnership with the Ohio Department
of Public Safety (ODPS) and Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), is addressing driver education at a regional level through a $1.5 million grant announced by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

Piloted by ODPS and OTSO, the Drive to Succeed grant will provide significant funding to Fairfield County ESC in conjunction with four additional ESCs throughout the region. With a collective vision to preserve the safety and well-being of young drivers, the program institutes a cost-effective and service-oriented method to expand access in low-income populations throughout Ohio through funding for driver training scholarships.

Governor DeWine launched the Drive to Succeed scholarship program in 2022 to support drivers under age 21 whose families cannot otherwise afford the cost of a driving school. The program arose in response to recent medical research by JAMA Network, a public health journal communicating the safety impact of licensing and training policies among young people, which stresses the need for equal access to driver education.

Beyond traffic safety measures, Drive to Succeed gives Ohio’s youth a pathway to pursue further education and job security with reliable transportation to accommodate these commitments. Proper education from the funding removes the barrier for teenagers and young adults who are hindered by socioeconomic status or geographic isolation for those living in rural areas. In Ohio, driver training courses generally cost between $400-900, which can be a huge barrier for low-income youth.

More than 5,100 students across the state have received scholarships to cover the fees for the 24 hours of classroom education and eight hours of behind-the-wheel training required to get a license.

The Fairfield County Educational Service Center provides student-centered educational leadership and
supportive services to meet the individual and collective needs of the staff, students and boards of education of the eight local school districts located in Fairfield County. More information can be found at faircoesc.org