Ohioans Urge State Policymakers to Restore Step Up To Quality
Last Friday, on the heels of the Ohio Senate’s proposal to eliminate Step Up To Quality in the state budget, Groundwork Ohio convened Ohio business leaders, early childhood professionals, philanthropic leaders, parents, and others for a press conference to speak out against the Senate’s proposal.
During the press conference, speakers discussed how eliminating Step Up To Quality would deal a devastating blow to Ohio’s child care system, as well as why businesses, early childhood educators, philanthropies, and parents support Step Up to Quality. Click here to read more about what they had to say.
Take Action to Save Child Care
Immediately after the Ohio Senate first proposed eliminating Step Up To Quality, early childhood advocates like you quickly mobilized to call and email state policymakers and urge them to restore Step Up To Quality. Together, we sent more than 8,000 messages to Ohio policymakers!
Our work isn't done yet. This week, the Ohio Senate passed its budget proposal, including the proposal to end Step Up To Quality.
During this critical period of the state budget process, we need to do everything we can to ensure legislators hear loud and clear that Ohioans support investment in quality child care.
If you haven't taken action yet, please contact your policymakers today and ask them to restore Step Up To Quality in the state budget. Your voice can help make a big difference in the lives of Ohio's youngest children.
Have you already taken action? Thanks! Now will you ask 5 friends, family members, or neighbors to take action today?
Take Action to Support the Lead Safe Home Fund
Lead poisoning is a public health crisis with a housing solution. That's why the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition launched the Lead Safe Home Fund (LSHF), a first-of-its-kind, public-private partnership that ensures families and property owners throughout Cleveland have the resources they need to proactively create lead safe rental units and, ultimately, prevent childhood lead poisoning.
The Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition needs your help: Will you take 5 minutes to show your support for the Coalition’s request to Senator Sherrod Brown for federal investment into the Lead Safe Home Fund?
You can make your voice heard in just 3 short steps:
Visit this website: https://www.brown.senate.gov/contact/email
Enter your name and contact information
Identify the message topic and add your comment (click here to download a pre-drafted message for you to use)
Your action helps ensure that more Ohio families and young children have access to safe, lead-free housing.
Groundwork Ohio Testifies in Support of Doula Legislation
On Thursday, Groundwork Ohio Policy Associate Kelsey Hopkins testified at the Ohio Statehouse to voice support for House Bill 142, which would allow Medicaid to provide reimbursement for doula services.
Communities across Ohio have a history with doula programs that have been successful in improving maternal and infant health outcomes. However, many of these programs and services are cost-prohibitive and often not accessible to pregnant women who may benefit the most from additional support. Doula programs serving low-income women have often absorbed the cost of providing care to increase access among our most vulnerable mothers and to support their community.
House Bill 142 would help bridge this gap by leveraging Medicaid to build doula capacity across the state, increase access to doula services, and improve the quality of doula services. HB 142 also supports Ohio’s ongoing fight to improve maternal and infant health and advance birth equity.
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