Roundtable Discussion with Congressman Stivers and Senator Kunze
On Thursday, May 28th at 9 AM, we are hosting a roundtable discussion with Congressman Steve Stivers, State Senator Stephanie Kunze, and a panel of child care experts from their districts to include:
Carol Haynes, President and Owner of Kiddie Academy of Reynoldsburg
Eric Karolak, CEO of Action for Children
Dawn Blalock, Operations Manager at Little Miracles EDC
Barbara Haxton, Executive Director at the Ohio Head Start Association, Inc.
During this discussion, Congressman Stivers and Senator Kunze will not only provide us with a legislative update, but they will also have the opportunity to listen to the panelists share their stories and follow up with questions. We invite you to join us to watch the panel and submit your questions and feedback through the chatbox. Register for the webinar here.
Ohio Legislative Children's Caucus Panel
On Friday, May 22nd from 3-4 PM, join the Ohio Legislative Children's Caucus for the opportunity to hear from a panel of child care experts and state policymakers as they discuss the needs of Ohio's child care system and the ways the legislature can support children and families. Panelists will include:
Carol Haynes, President & Owner of multiple Kiddie Academy child care programs in Central Ohio
George Goddard, ECE Division Director at the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development
Lynanne Gutierrez, Policy Director and Legal Counsel at Groundwork Ohio
Register for the webinar here.
Promoting Preventative Healthcare for Ohio Kids
On Wednesday, May 27th at 12 PM, Groundwork Ohio is hosting a webinar with the American Academy of Pediatrics-Ohio Chapter to zero in on the importance of well-child visits and preventative health measures for young children. During the crisis, Ohio has seen a significant decrease in well-child visits for young children and we must work together to ensure young children have access to preventative healthcare, which is so important to assessing developmental milestones and administering vaccinations. This webinar will feature a panel of experts to include:
Michele Dritz, MD, FAAP, Ohio AAP & Cornerstone Pediatrics
Suzanne Prescott, Director of Butler County Educational Service Center
Sheri Davis, RN at Butler County Educational Service Center
Children's Defense Fund - Ohio
Lynanne Gutierrez, Policy Director and Legal Counsel at Groundwork Ohio
If you serve in a role where you regularly interact with children and families, this webinar will provide you with the tools needed to encourage families to prioritize visits with their pediatrician. Register for the webinar here.
Update on the HEROES Act
Last Friday, the US House passed the HEROES Act, which includes $7 billion for child care relief. But we know this is not nearly enough to stabilize the child care system in Ohio and across the nation.
Please join us in tweeting at our Senator Brown and Senator Portman today to ask that they make child care a top priority during their conversations about the stimulus package in the US Senate. It only takes a few clicks to send your pre-drafted message.
Groundwork Applauds Governor DeWine’s Bold Commitment to Equity
Yesterday, Groundwork Ohio applauded Governor DeWine’s recognition of a fundamental truth that is long overdue for public discussion in our state—there are significant racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities that will not be eradicated without intentional policy and targeted investments.
“The research is clear: disparities in outcomes based on race, zip code, and economic status begin in the earliest years of a child’s life and persist and grow into adulthood,” said Shannon Jones, executive director of Groundwork Ohio. “We look forward to working with Governor DeWine to advance policies that close these gaps where they begin by responding to the needs of our most vulnerable pregnant women, infants, and toddlers.”
To learn more about Governor DeWine's commitment to equity, read our full press release and watch yesterday's press conference.
Raising Mental Health Awareness
Every year, Mental Health Awareness Month occurs in May, but this year's awareness month is more important than ever. While we continue down this path to recovery, we cannot forget about supporting our own mental health so we can come out of this crisis stronger than ever. It is equally important that we provide Ohio's children with the tools and guidance they need to support their mental health. Recently, we teamed up with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Ohio Children's Hospital Association, and Vote for Ohio Kids to release a new, easy-to-follow mental health toolkit outlining the 10 tips to consider when supporting the mental health of children. In addition to these 10 tips, the toolkit connects you to resources that you may find to be helpful when acting on these tips.
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