Groundwork Ohio Roadshow 2026: Wayne and Holmes Counties

Groundwork Ohio's Roadshow 2026 kicked off on August 4 with a full day of conversations across Wayne and Holmes counties. From advocacy discussions in Wooster to a visit to Holmes County's only licensed child care center and a community roundtable in Millersburg, the day centered on one goal: listening to the people who know their communities best.

As Groundwork Ohio travels to all 33 Ohio Senate districts, these conversations will help shape our policy priorities and ensure local experiences continue to inform statewide solutions for young children and families. The insights gathered throughout the Roadshow will be compiled into a statewide report that Groundwork Ohio will share with lawmakers to help inform policy decisions and the next state budget as Ohio prepares to elect a new governor.

Advocacy Starts with Community

The day began in Wooster, where Groundwork Ohio joined United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties for its AdvoCafé, bringing together community members, advocates, nonprofit leaders, and policymakers for a conversation about advocacy and civic engagement.

The discussion featured State Representative Meredith Craig (R-Smithville), Bonnie Ferguson Hall, CEO of West View Healthy Living, and Groundwork Ohio President & CEO Lynanne Gutierrez, and was moderated by Katie Koglman, CEO of United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties. Together, they explored practical strategies for engaging elected officials, sharing community priorities, and helping ensure the needs of children, families, and communities are reflected in policy decisions.

State Rep. Meredith Craig reminded attendees that advocacy belongs to everyone—not just those who work in government.

"Everyone has a role to play, not just registered lobbyists, in Columbus or D.C."

Groundwork Ohio President & CEO Lynanne Gutierrez emphasized why advocacy is essential to our work.

"In this day and age, when you carry the voices of the communities and people you represent—in our case, for young children who can't be in the room where decisions are made—it would be malpractice not to advocate."

She also reminded participants that even in challenging times, communities have a powerful tool.

"When we're asked to do more with less, the one thing we always have is our voice."

Visiting Holmes County's Only Licensed Child Care Center

The Roadshow then traveled to Millersburg, where the team visited the YMCA of Wayne and Holmes Counties' Y Early Learning Academy at NewPointe Community Church—the only licensed child care center in Holmes County.

The visit highlighted both the incredible work happening locally and the significant need for additional child care options. The center was created after local families identified a gap in licensed care and has quickly become an essential resource by accepting child care vouchers and serving working families across the community.

During the visit, staff shared how the center has become a lifeline for many families, particularly as other providers have stopped accepting child care vouchers because of delayed reimbursements. They also described the unique challenges of serving a community where many parents work in manufacturing, health care, and other industries with nontraditional schedules, making access to evening and overnight child care especially difficult.

The visit offered a firsthand look at both the innovative solutions helping meet community needs and the continued demand for additional child care options across the region.

Listening to Local Voices

The day concluded with a community roundtable hosted by Groundwork Ohio and United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties. Those in attendeance were invited to share the greatest opportunities and challenges facing young children and working families in their communities, helping inform Groundwork Ohio's ongoing policy and advocacy work.

Child Care

Child care remained at the center of the afternoon's conversation, but participants emphasized that access is only part of the challenge.

Community leaders discussed the difficulty of finding care that meets the needs of families working nontraditional hours, particularly those employed in manufacturing and health care. Participants also noted that grandparents who may have once filled caregiving gaps are increasingly remaining in the workforce, leaving families with fewer informal care options.

Several providers shared concerns about navigating complex licensing requirements and state regulations, saying the process can be difficult for both existing providers and those interested in opening new child care programs. Others pointed to delayed reimbursements through the publicly funded child care program, which have led some providers to stop accepting vouchers altogether, further limiting options for families.

Attendees also acknowledged that while child care is a well-known workforce issue, many businesses remain unaware of available resources and incentives—including the federal Employer-Provided Child Care Tax Credit (Section 45F)—that could help them become part of the solution.

Housing

Affordable housing surfaced as another major concern.

Participants described long waitlists for housing assistance, rising rental costs, and a shortage of affordable homes for young families and workers. Local employers shared that housing shortages have made recruiting employees increasingly difficult, with some workers—and even physicians—choosing not to remain in the area because they could not find housing.

Community leaders also discussed the growing number of short-term rentals, limited availability of starter homes, and local efforts to increase housing options through housing coalitions and zoning changes that allow for more dense development.

Transportation

Transportation remains a significant barrier, particularly in Holmes County, where public transportation options are extremely limited.

Without reliable transportation, accessing child care, employment, and other essential services becomes increasingly difficult for families. Participants shared stories of providers personally transporting children to ensure they could access care and highlighted ongoing efforts to expand transportation options in neighboring Wayne County.

Supporting Families Beyond Child Care

The conversation also highlighted the importance of broader supports for families.

Participants discussed maternal and infant health services, including home visiting programs, lactation support, Help Me Grow, early intervention, diaper banks, and car seat programs already serving families across the region. They also highlighted the success of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in improving early literacy and kindergarten readiness.

Families also spoke candidly about limited paid parental leave, the challenges of balancing work and caregiving, grandparents remaining in the workforce rather than being available for child care, and benefit cliffs that can make economic mobility difficult.

One parent captured the reality many families face:

"It's not that I don't have a village. I have a village that very much cares about me and my daughter, but they're still working."

Participants also stressed that improving communication about existing state and federal resources could help employers and families better utilize programs already available to them. They pointed to trusted local communication channels—including radio and community newspapers—as important ways to connect families with available supports.

Together, these conversations painted a clear picture of both the opportunities and challenges facing families in Wayne and Holmes counties and reinforced the importance of community-informed policy solutions.

Looking Ahead

Wayne and Holmes counties offered a powerful reminder that every community has unique strengths—and unique challenges.

Throughout the day, Groundwork Ohio heard firsthand how local experiences—from child care and housing to transportation and maternal health—shape the lives of young children and families. Those conversations are exactly what the Roadshow is designed to elevate.

The ideas shared during the Roadshow will help inform Groundwork Ohio's statewide report and future policy recommendations, ensuring the voices of local communities continue to shape decisions that affect Ohio's youngest children.

This was just the first stop. Over the coming months, Groundwork Ohio will continue traveling across Ohio, listening, learning, and elevating the experiences of families and communities in every corner of the state.

Follow along on social media and visit our  Roadshow 2026 page to see upcoming stops, learn how to join us, and stay connected as the Roadshow continues across Ohio.

Learn More

Explore Groundwork Ohio's county fact sheets to learn more about the data behind this Roadshow stop.

• Wayne County Fact Sheet

• Holmes County Fact Sheet