The Ohio Department of Medicaid has been seeking feedback from stakeholders about their experience with managed care and ideas for improvement as they conduct managed care procurement. We believe the Department, through its agency leadership and the opportunity afforded by managed care plan procurement, is uniquely positioned to advance our state’s kids, families and communities by investing in the healthy development of Ohio’s most at-risk young children. But to do so effectively, the Department must focus with intensity on our youngest and most vulnerable moms and babies. Read and share our comments to learn about how we can leverage Medicaid to advance healthy early childhood development.
Groundwork is Hosting a Fall Webinar Series on Early Childhood Mental Health
Groundwork is hosting a webinar series this month focused on Early Childhood Mental Health. Join us to learn more about early childhood mental health and expand your understanding of your role in elevating this critical work!
The second webinar of the series, "Ohio Early Childhood Mental Health: A Policy Overview," will be held September 26, 2019 from 1-2 PM with presenter Cindy Oser.
Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage and learn about Early Childhood Mental Health from Groundwork Ohio!
Join the Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee
Groundwork Ohio is seeking applications for our 2020-2021 Advisory Committee. Members of the Advisory Committee are trusted to provide insights on the needs of young children and families in Ohio and advance Groundwork’s mission to champion high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies. We are committed to ensuring committee membership reflects the diversity of race, geography, gender, age, experience, expertise, and more that exists within Ohio’s child-serving systems. Members of the Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee:
Provide valuable field input and expertise to help inform Groundwork’s understanding of policy implications
Serve as a resource for Groundwork research projects and advocacy efforts based on field and systems experience in the early childhood sector
Support Groundwork by promoting engagement opportunities, attending events, and facilitating connections with other child advocates
Participate in quarterly in-person meetings
Contribute organizational time and resources to Groundwork and support efforts to advance our mission.
We hope you will consider applying to serve on the Advisory Committee and share your valuable insights with our team! Applications are due by November 1, 2019.
Cleveland's PRE4CLE Celebrates its Fifth Year in Providing High-Quality Preschool!
As part of Cleveland's plan to expand access to high-quality preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds, PRE4CLE is celebrating several wins, including increasing preschool enrollment by 72%, reaching more than 25,000 families, and obtaining $57 million in new state funding to support its great work. For a more in-depth overview of PRE4CLE's victories, click below.
New Ohio Lead Advisory Committee Aimed to Develop Effective Abatement Responses
Last Friday, Governor DeWine announced a new statewide Lead Advisory Committee, which will advise the state on lead poisoning prevention and abatement efforts. The creation of the advisory committee aligns with the state's priority of increasing lead abatement efforts and making homes safe for young children and families, especially in high-risk communities, and is supported by a $25 million investment. This investment includes: more than $4.8 million annually to advertise lead-free homes to families, base and remediate lead contamination, and demolish lead-blighted homes; $225,000 to increase the capacity of lead hazard control workers; and $5 million per year for a lead abatement tax credit for eligible individuals, allowing for an income tax credit of up to $10,000 for home lead abatement. Committee membership includes Marcia Egbert, Senior Program Officer for Human Services of The George Gund Foundation and member of Groundwork’s Steering Committee and Patricia Barnes, co-chair of the Ohio Lead Free Kids Coalition.