Standing Strong Together: Ohio Head Start and Child Care Advocates Take Their Message to Washington
- Groundwork Ohio
- Oct 13
- 3 min read
By Julie Stone, Executive Director, Ohio Head Start Association, Inc.
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Last week, the Ohio Head Start Association joined Groundwork Ohio and the First Five Years Fund (FFYF) in Washington, D.C. for an important week of advocacy that spanned both the day before and the first day of the federal government shutdown.
The contrast between those two days could not have been more striking. On Tuesday, the Hill was buzzing with activity as we met with Senator Jon Husted and his staff, shared new statewide polling results, and underscored how federal investments in early learning strengthen Ohio’s families and workforce. We had a rare opportunity to spend time in the Senate gallery where we witnessed a lively debate between Senators Thune and Schumer foreshadowing the reality ahead as the pages rearranged chairs on the Senate floor.
The next day told a very different story. The shutdown had begun, and the contrast was stark. The streets and offices were eerily quiet, and frankly, disorienting. It was a stark reminder that behind the theatrics of politics, the needs of children and families don’t pause for stalemates.
At the center of our visit was new polling conducted by UpONE Insights in partnership with the Ohio Head Start Association, Groundwork Ohio, and FFYF. The survey offered timely, bipartisan insights into how Ohio voters view early childhood issues—and especially the impact of Head Start.
The results speak volumes:
85% of Ohio voters hold a favorable opinion of Head Start, reflecting strong, bipartisan trust in the program.
More than two-thirds agree that continued federal funding for Head Start is essential to helping parents work and children succeed in school.
Nearly 80% believe child care overall is in crisis or a major problem, and over one-third say they or someone they know would enter the workforce if affordable, quality care were available.
For Ohio’s Head Start programs, these findings affirm what we see every day: that families across the state depend on us for stability, opportunity, and hope. This data gave us a powerful way to connect our day-to-day work to the broader national conversation—making clear that Head Start isn’t just a gold standard program; it’s a proven investment that benefits children, families, and communities alike.
The stark contrast between those two days in Washington mirrored what so many programs, staff and families are feeling at home: uncertainty. A government shutdown raises real questions about funding continuity, staffing, and family stability. But even when circumstances shift, our commitment does not.
Head Start leaders across Ohio continue to show up, speak up, and stand up for the children and families they serve. Our shared advocacy—amplified through the joint Advocacy Alert from OHSAI, Groundwork Ohio, and FFYF—keeps the focus where it belongs: on the kids who can’t afford to be caught in the political crossfire.
I’m deeply grateful to Lynanne Gutierrez and the Groundwork Ohio team for their partnership and leadership in this effort. When we stand together—bringing the trusted experience of Head Start, the policy expertise of Groundwork, and the national reach of FFYF—we amplify one another’s voices and strengthen our collective impact.
Even in uncertain times, that unity gives us reason for optimism. The challenges in Washington may ebb and flow, but our shared purpose does not. By continuing to show up—trusted, data driven and united—we will work to ensure Ohio’s youngest learners and their families have the stability, opportunity, and strong start they deserve, no matter what’s happening in the halls of Congress.
