The bill establishes the Social Work Apprenticeship Retention and Training (SMART) Internship Program, officially named the Ohio Students and Families Workforce Strengthening Act. This program aims to support students enrolled in master's degree programs at specific Ohio universities who are pursuing social work licenses. The Chancellor of Higher Education is tasked with creating this three-year pilot program, which will provide grants to eligible students for paid internships at qualifying schools that serve a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. The program is designed to address nonacademic barriers to student success and strengthen the school-based social work workforce in underserved areas.

The bill outlines the eligibility criteria for students and qualifying schools, the structure of the grants, and the evaluation process for the program. Each eligible student can receive up to $15,000 over three academic years, with specific provisions for grant payments based on the type of internship. The Chancellor is also required to submit interim and final reports to the General Assembly detailing program participation, effectiveness, and recommendations for future actions. Additionally, the bill appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to support the SMART Internship Program, emphasizing the collaborative effort between the Department of Behavioral Health and the Department of Higher Education.