Groundwork Ohio has embarked on a comprehensive data analysis and communications project that examines race and rural equity in child outcomes from birth through career readiness. Over the past several months, we have been hard at work analyzing disaggregated data for existing statewide and local equity metrics, including infant mortality, access to home visiting, incidence of lead and asthma, access to quality child care, access to preschool, kindergarten readiness, suspension and expulsion, 3rd grade reading achievement, 8th grade math achievement, high school graduation and college attainment. In preparation for the release of our full report this summer, we have created two introductory resources to help set the framework for the project. The first resource, Unearthing Fairness for Ohio Kids, outlines some of the key concepts we use throughout the report by defining equity and explaining how disaggregated data can help us more fully understand the experience of our most at-risk children. The second resource, Brains are Built… Not Born, explores how early brain development and early experiences impact the lifelong growth and success of a child. By understanding the important distinction between equity and equality and recognizing the importance of quality experiences during the critical early years of development, we can begin to work toward achieving equitable outcomes and positioning Ohio kids for lifelong success. We encourage you to explore and share these resources (click images below), check out our Race and Rural Equity webpage, and look for the full report to be released early this summer!
This spring, the Groundwork staff has been on the road promoting the Vote for Ohio Kids campaign and our Race and Rural Equity Project, as well as our ongoing early childhood advocacy work. Here are just a few of the many things Groundwork has been up to this past week:
Last Friday, Groundwork Executive Director Shannon Jones shared information about the state of Ohio's early childhood education with Fran DeWine, wife of gubernatorial candidate Mike DeWine, on her visit to Mini-U, which is part of the Montgomery County and Dayton Preschool Promise.
Groundwork Policy Director and Legal Counsel Lynanne Gutierrez gave a sneak peak of our findings from the Ohio Early Childhood Race and Rural Equity Report with educators at the Ohio AEYC Early Childhood Conference in Sandusky.
On Monday, we joined the Ohio Children's Hospital Association for their legislative advocacy day at UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital's new Center for Women and Children in Cleveland to promote the Vote for Ohio Kids campaign.
Yesterday, our Communications and Policy Associate Julia Hohner joined the Appalachian Ohio P-20 Council, a group committed to increasing student success in the Appalachian Region, to share Groundwork's advocacy initiatives and spread the word about the Vote for Ohio Kids campaign.
The Health Policy Institute of Ohio has released an Ohio addiction policy inventory and scorecard. This is the first in a series of inventories and scorecards analyzing Ohio’s policy response to the addiction crisis and outlining areas where the state could be more effective. Read more.
CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND ADVOCACY DAY Join the Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio, for the 2018 CDF-Ohio Advocacy Day. Child advocacy leaders, providers, young people, and families from across the state will come together to raise awareness about the needs of Ohio’s children and families with our state leaders and legislators. The day will include valuable opportunities to learn and share with our state leaders. The event will also include a number of special guests (to be announced), lunch, and briefings with legislative offices. Click here to register.