The Build Back Better Act: Supporting Families, Providers, and the Economy
Last month, President Joe Biden unveiled a final framework for the Build Back Better Act, which includes a long-overdue, transformative $400 billion investment in child care and preschool as a centerpiece of the legislation. This extraordinary investment will save families with children ages 0-5 thousands of dollars in child care and preschool costs, guarantee access to free high-quality preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, and build a strong, stable early learning system.
Want to learn more about the lasting impact the Build Back Better Act will have for families, early educators, and our economy? Check out this excellent resource from First Five Years Fund to learn the key facts about the child care and preschool proposals in the Build Back Better Act.
Congress must quickly pass the Build Back Better Act so states and communities have the resources they need to build a strong, stable early learning system that meets the needs of families, providers, and the economy.
Update to Ohio Providers on ARPA Child Care Stabilization Grants
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) recently announced that child care stabilization sub-grant applications will soon be accepted.
Through funding received in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), ODJFS has established several child care stabilization sub-grant opportunities. A manual procedure letter outlining these sub-grant opportunities is available in the eManual. These sub-grants are available for ODJFS regulated child care centers, family child care (FCC) type A and type B homes, in-home aides (IHA), and approved day camps, as well as Ohio Department of Education (ODE) licensed preschool (PS) and school-age (SA) programs that are approved to provide publicly funded child care (PFCC).
The three sub-grant opportunities are:
Operating/New Pandemic Costs
Workforce Recruitment/Retention
Access Development
Applications for these opportunities will be accessed in the Ohio Professional Registry beginning December 1, 2021.
A copy of the application will soon be available on the Provider Pandemic webpage. Programs can use the paper application prepare information needed for submission of the automated application in the Ohio Professional Registry when the application becomes available. Paper applications will not be accepted.
Please contact OCCRRA with questions about these stabilization sub-grants at support@occrra.org or 1-877-547-6978.
Coordinating Prenatal-to-Three Policies at State, County, and City Levels
State and local governments across the country are developing public policy focused on early childhood. Collaborative action across levels of government can help ensure funding is leveraged to maximize the efficiency and sustainability of programs and services offered to families with young children.
On Tuesday, December 7 at 1:00 PM ET, you're invited to join a webinar hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures to learn how state legislators and county officials are working together to improve outcomes for young children and their families. The webinar will feature the first-hand experiences of several Ohio officials, including our very own Shannon Jones!
New Report Card Grades Ohio on Infant and Maternal Health
This week, the March of Dimes released its 2021 Report Card highlighting the latest key indicators on maternal and infant health in the United States and in each state. The Report Card also outlines actions policymakers can take to improve the health of our nation’s families.
Ohio's Report Card demonstrates that the state has much room to improve when it comes to maternal and infant health outcomes. Ohio received a C- grade for the state's preterm birth rate, and Ohio's infant mortality rate still remains higher than the national rate. The Report Card also shows stark racial disparities in birth outcomes: In Ohio, the preterm birth rate among Black women is 47% higher than the rate among all other women.
There is a critical connection between infant health, maternal health, and the health of a family. Policymakers must prioritize the health of moms and babies in Ohio. You're invited to join the March of Dimes' #BlanketChange movement and call on your representatives to advocate for change and give every family the best possible start!
Groundwork Ohio President & CEO Receives Charity in Action Award
Last week, Groundwork Ohio President and CEO Shannon Jones received the Charity in Action award at Learning Grove's annual Gala in the Grove. This award is a testament to Shannon's deep commitment to providing access to quality early childhood education to Ohio's children and their families.
Congratulations on this incredible honor, Shannon!
You're Invited to Learn More About Big Wins for Little Kids in 2021
As the Alliance for Early Success launches its annual 50-State Progress Report on Early Childhood Policy, you're invited to join leaders from The Hunt Institute and Alliance for a special 2-hour interactive event spotlighting 2021's significant reforms in early childhood education, health, governance, equity, and child care access and quality!
Click here to register for the event taking place on Tuesday, December 7 at 2:00 PM ET.
The first hour of this special event will follow a conventional view-only webinar format, during which you'll learn more about the report and hear panelists from seven states who will share a little about their victories. During hour two, you’ll have the opportunity to select one of four breakout rooms to hear more and interact in a live on-camera Q&A with the panelists.
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