Dear Groundwork Team: I am happy to welcome Julia Hohner as Groundwork Ohio's new Communications and Policy Associate. Although Julia only started as a full-time staff member last week, she isn't new to Groundwork. This past summer, Julia spent six weeks as an intern at Groundwork where she volunteered at advocacy day and assisted in grant research, the development of a streamlined social media plan, and the creation of the Governor’s Reference Manual.
Before starting full-time at Groundwork, Julia worked as a graduate assistant in John Carroll University’s Center for Service and Social Action where she managing several service-learning programs. Prior to her time at John Carroll, Julia worked as a Retreat Associate at CrossRoads Ministry, an urban justice-based retreat center in Louisville, Kentucky. Julia has a B.S. from John Carroll University and will be completing a M.A. in Nonprofit Administration this coming June. We are happy to have her on the Groundwork team! Shannon Jones Executive Director
As an extension of the Health Policy Institute of Ohio's third policy briefing on the connections between education and health, "The importance of early learning," two new fact sheet were released this week: "Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports" and "Suspensions and expulsions among young children". These fact sheets outline critical factors in promoting quality early learning in Ohio and give recommendations for continued improvement.
The Ohio Department of Education has launched a new digital resource for parents and educators! The INFOhio Early Learning Portal provides a variety of websites and apps that have been tested and approved by early learning and literacy experts. The portal aims to help kids aged 3-5 prepare for school and their future during this critical early learning period. Access the portal here.
Ohio’s goal is that by 2025, 65% of all working-age adults will have a degree or credential. Currently, just 44% of Ohioans have a 2- or 4-year degree or a work-related certificate. Join us for a day focused on raising educational attainment to ensure Ohio can compete. Speakers will include State Sen. Peggy Lehner, Chair of the Ohio Senate Education Committee, Jim Tressel, President, Youngstown State University, and Eric Hanushek, Stanford University economist. After the event, Sen. Lehner will chair a Senate Education Committee hearing on "Connecting the Dots from Cradle-to-Career" where Groundwork Executive Director Shannon Jones will testify along with other business and community leaders.