Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine spoke in his annual State of the State address about giving Buckeye State residents “the tools to live up to their full potential.”

His proposed two-year spending plan includes a novel $1,000 child tax credit and access to vision care for young people.

DeWine proposed accountability measures for colleges and universities.

“Our budget takes this to the next logical level by partially funding our state colleges and universities based on actual student outcomes,” DeWine said, “including how many students get a job after graduation.” There is the seed of a good idea there.

But even more significant was DeWine’s pitch that state workforce efforts should include outreach to those with special needs, ex-offenders, seniors and those in addiction recovery. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections already provides job training for in-demand industries, and DeWine says approximately 18,000 people are released annually from incarceration.

“Our trained ex-offenders want to work,” DeWine said. “I say to the employers in Ohio — give them a chance.”

It’s an excellent idea.

DeWine has the right idea by focusing on children and their families, the workforce and education. It’s time to move forward.