Groundwork Ohio is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our programming and activities including the Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship. We are seeking to build a racially, ethnically, and geographically diverse cohort of professionals from across the state of Ohio with a range of personal and professional experiences and backgrounds. Applicants represent passionate early childhood professionals, including home-based and center-based childcare providers, home visitors, child development specialists, child welfare professionals, early childhood mental health providers, preschool educators, maternal, infant, early childhood health professionals, higher education professionals, and more! Not sure if you’re qualified? >> Email Us!

Fellows will participate in over 35 hours of professional development throughout the year, including mandatory sessions (see details below). The curriculum is delivered in a hybrid format (virtual and in-person), to include guest presentations, online learning experiences through webinars, individual reading assignments, and small group Early Childhood Capstone Experience projects designed to drive community change. Important dates for the 2026-2027 cohort are below. Please note that all dates are subject to change with advance notice to participants. January 13, 2026: Virtual Information Session (Zoom) January 30, 2026: APPLICATION OPENS March 3, 2026: Virtual Information Session (Zoom) March 13, 2026: Application closes at 5:00 PM April 28, 2026: Virtual Orientation Sessions Fellow attendance is mandatory for all Program Sessions: August 8, 2026: 2026 Fellowship Graduation & New Fellow Celebration (In person, Columbus) September 19, 2026: Session 1 – Virtual (9:00 – 11:00 AM) October 17, 2026: Session 2 – Virtual (9:00 – 11:00 AM) November 14, 2026: Session 3 – Virtual (9:00 – 11:00 AM) January 23, 2027: Session 4 – Virtual (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM) February 27, 2027: Session 5 – Virtual (9:00 – 11:00 AM) March 17, 2027: Session 6 – Virtual (9:00 – 11:00 AM) April 24, 2027: Session 7 – Virtual (9:00 – 11:00 AM) August 7, 2027: Fellowship Graduation – In-person, Columbus (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM) TBD In-Person Fellowship Events (Fellows must attend two of three of these events): Groundwork Ohio Roadshow Event (TBD Quarter 3, 2026, select cities TBA) Momentum Institute (TBD 2027, Columbus) Groundwork Ohio Advocacy Day (TBD 2027, Columbus) As part of the program requirements, Fellows must: Develop and present on a small group Early Childhood Capstone Experience project; Coordinate virtually with small groups during and outside of Fellowship hours; Engage in the Groundwork Ohio Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship Alumni Network Questions about the time commitment and expectations? >> Email Us!

If chosen to participate in the Fellowship, there will be a $1,500.00 tuition fee due by August 14, 2025. Groundwork is working diligently to ensure scholarship opportunities to applicants who demonstrate a passion for advancing early childhood development policy. Please ask about our scholarship availability! Questions about program tuition or other anticipated barriers to participation? >> Email Us!

Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort are now closed. Please bookmark this page and revisit in February 2027 for information on the next cohort! During the application process, applicants will be required to provide personal information, answers to short answer questions, and submit a resume. If you are self-employed, you will need to sign and upload a self-employed statement of commitment form. When completing the application, you will have the option to upload your signed statement of commitment. If you are not self-employed, you and your employer will need to sign and upload an employee-employer statement of commitment form. When completing the application, you will have the option to upload your signed statement of commitment. The employee-employer statement of commitment form will be available soon. Questions about the application process? >> Email Us!

2025-2026 Fellowship GraduatesKristen Bortle, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant | Nationwide Children’s HospitalChelsea Davis, Director | Toledo Day NurseryShashi DeHaan, MSW, LISW-S IMH-E ®, CFTP, Mental Health Therapist II, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health | Akron Children's Pediatrics, StowEmeri Ferguson, Literary Specialist | The Wellington SchoolMonica Gaulden Recruitment Supervisor | Family Connections Spark ProgramEmma Ginther, Management Analyst of Early Learning Policy | Franklin County Board of Commissioners Megan Hamilton | Project Manager, Future Ready FiveStephanie Moore, Early Education Program Specialist | Starting PointJulia Myers, Director | Toledo Day NurseryEllen Rhomberg, Early Childhood Specialist | The Wellington SchoolLinda Rowlett, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant | Mercy HealthCarrie Taylor, Early Childhood Mental Health Coordinator | Greene County Educational Service CenterGarret Thompson, Early Childhood Family Fellow and Coordinator and Secondary Supervisor | Clopay Marisol Torres, Program Development Coordinator | Starting PointDenise Zellers, Early Literacy Specialist | Toledo Lucas County Public Library2024-2025 Fellowship GraduatesChris Acock, Early Learning Policy Analyst, Franklin County Minister Jauneece Adams-Mitchell, Consultant, Angel Heart FoundationShaun Barrett, Senior Behavior Support Specialist, The Ohio State University Nisonger CenterBonnie Berg-Simmons, Librarian, Twinsburg Public LibraryMonica Cardenas, Professional Development & Support Specialist, HOPE ToledoHolly Conroy, Prevention & Inclusion Programs Specialist, Starting Point, Cuyahoga CountyEmily Cresswell, Early Childhood Education Coach, Miami Valley Child Development CenterSimone Ellerson, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Samantha Forsythe, Education Systems Coordinator, Child Development Council of Franklin County Emily Gessner, Early Childhood Educator, Mom’s House Toledo Margeric Gonzalez, Early Education Program Specialist, Starting Point Dr. Linda Hicks, ECE Career Navigator, 4C for ChildrenDelaney Jones, Social Worker, Educational Service Center of North East Ohio Tonya Kelly, M.Ed, Principal, Bridge Gate Community School Angela Martin, Early Head Start Home Visitor, The Ohio University Early Head Start Keshia McCahill, Executive Assistant, Child Development Council of Franklin County Brittney McCarey, Early childhood education student Laura McFalls, Early Childhood Specialist, Akron-Summit County Public Library Jennifer McNellie, Educator, Starting Point, Cleveland Courtney Nerad, Executive Director, St. Peter’s Child Care Center Inc., LakewoodKaty Philpot, Teacher, Dayton Public SchoolsJennifer Rigano, Early Intervention Specialist, Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities Dr. Allison Riggle, Project Manager, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Meghan Scott, Early Education Program Specialist, Starting PointMichelle Shelton, Administrator, the Learning GroveEmilee Stahl, Trainer/EI Service Coordinator, Franklin County Family & Children’s First Council Mary Taylor, Nurse, Franklin County Public HealthJoy Welch-Bey, Program Manager, Cuyahoga County Office of Early ChildhoodSamantha Whatley, Site Administrator, Step Forward, ClevelandSarah Zang, Program Coordinator, Action for Children 2023-2024 Fellowship GraduatesSherrie BairWilliam Christmas, M.Ed.Ben CorllAshley FunniMandi GrimesNitoriya GoffJerrald GoodloeCrystal Ann HallErin HeadDebora HeldEugene NorrisStephanie ParsonsJasmine PriceAmanda RodriguezTaylor RomeroLatasha N. SpencerSam SchneiderAudrey TereseDr. Andrea WeisbergerAndrea WiessPaula Y. Young2022-2023 Fellowship Graduates Robert Cummings, Cincinnati- Hamilton County Community Action AgencyMeredith Florkey, Ohio Naturally LLCIsabella Frueh, Learning GroveJalissa Hutchins, Family Child Care Home ProviderXiara Quinn, Learning Grove- Future Environments, Inc.Candace Rhoill, Little Promises Preschool @ Cincinnati Urban PromiseLauren Rinner, The Goddard School of Anderson TownshipBarbara Burden Family Child Care Home ProviderTarshalla Hanks, Sunshine HouseErin Tebben, The Ohio State UniversityAngela Ewald, Action for ChildrenElizabeth Rumschlag, Great Lakes Community Action PartnershipAngel Heath, Children's Discovery CenterMisty Luther, Pike County Early Childhood ProgramMelissa Canada, Family Child Care Home ProviderAlesia Brown, Family Child Care Home ProviderEllen Chavez, Erie County Board of DDLori Kolofer-Burk, Starting PointJD Smith, Horizon Education CentersSandra Adams, Miami Valley Hospital / Help Me Grow Brighter FuturesShelly Engram, Ms. Shelly's PlaceKaleena Wiseman, YWCA of ColumbusCoretta Daniel, Cleveland Central Promise Shawn Holden, Step ForwardCarol Lyles, YWCA of Greater Cleveland Early Learning CenterMelanie Senter, South Side Early LearningApril Frazier, OhioGuidestoneSara Knapp, Kent State University Child Development CenterAndrea Barga, Clinton County Community Action -Clinton County Head StartColleen Tullis, Franklin County Board of DD2021-2022 Fellowship GraduatesCarla Adams, Child Development Council of Franklin CountyJessica Ann Boiner, Family Child Care Home ProviderCharlene Carroll, Emmanuel Christian AcademyMisty Cole, Hopewell Health CentersJessica Collins, Knox County Head StartMegan Foradori, Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of NursingAlice Harrell, New Dimension Child Care CenterJennine Hoover, Kendal at OberlinAsia Hughes, The Childcare PeopleMichael Ingram, Bedford Heights Daycare & Nursery Center Inc.Brittany Jackson, Action for ChildrenGinny Joo, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center - TIP ProgramCaroline King, Temple Tots PreschoolAngela Kirkland, Family Child Care Home ProviderRenee Matsunami, Child Care Choices, Inc.Patricia McNerney, EICK Global STEM AcademyDevin Montrell Bates, The East End Neighborhood HouseMargaret Osborne, Ottawa County Board of Developmental Disabilities/Ottawa County Family & Children First CouncilJessica Parker, City of Lakewood, Division of Early ChildhoodBrittany Pope, OhioGuidestoneLinda Schettler, Catholic Charities Early LearningHannah Scully, Child FocusJulia Shaheen, Stark County District LibraryAmber Sullivan, Bright BeginningsAmanda Uhrig, Brightside Academy OhioClarissa Walls-Parker, Clinton County Community Action Program Head StartErica Wehri, Northwestern Ohio Community Action CommissionTawanna Williams, Starting Point Learning CenterCarrie Williamson, Professional Innovative Early Care and Education SolutionsMarian Wright, Bright Beginnings Early Intervention2020-2021 Fellowship GraduatesElizabeth Abbott, Bombeck Family Learning Center Krista Allison, Stark Education Partnership, Inc. Sadie Bonifas, The Great Oaks Career Campus Mary Brady, Early Childhood Resource Center Tonya Byous, The Centers for Families and Children Hannah Dieter, Great MindsJarissa Garcia, Little Hands, Inc. Stephanie Geneseo, All Nestled Inn Family Childcare Nicole Gordon, Child Focus Camille Harris, All 4 Kids, LLC Malissa Harris, Little Miracles EDC Elizabeth Hibbs, Early Childhood Education Alliance Kimberly Hiltz, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio, Inc. Kelly Kaiser, Baby University Rebecca Keaton, COAD Helen Mattheis, Cincinnati Early Learning Centers Rebecca Mental, Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center Navya Nalla, Nationwide Children's Hospital- Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders Ross "Chad" Nunamaker, The Lynda A. Cohen Center for the Study of Child Development Emily Rozmus, INFOhio Beth Rutter, Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities Elizabeth Styles, Winton Woods City Schools Qianna Tidmore, Office of Early Childhood/Invest in Children Shannon Viccarone, Starting Point Aysha Wilburn, The Centers for Families and Children Molly Youngstrom Hagkull, The Childhood League Center