Join Us for a Virtual Discussion on Early Childhood Mental Health
What if we stopped putting the needs of our youngest children off for another day? What if we invested early in prevention to avoid crisis? What could a system look like that prioritizes the mental health of babies, toddlers, and their caregivers?
Join Groundwork Ohio's Center for Maternal and Young Child Health on Wednesday, October 27 at 10:00 AM EST for a virtual discussion addressing these questions and more. During the webinar, local, state, and national experts will discuss integrating policies that support early childhood mental health to strengthen the foundation of Ohio families and communities.
During the webinar, Groundwork Ohio will share learnings from our new report on infant and early childhood mental health. We'll also discuss what to expect from the Center for Maternal and Young Child Health and how you can join our efforts to grow healthy kids and families in Ohio.
Apply to Groundwork Ohio's Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship
Groundwork Ohio is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for our 2022 Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship cohort!
Our Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship provides emerging early childhood professionals with essential training and support needed to enhance their leadership skills and talents. The Fellowship will inspire Fellows by utilizing a unique and engaging curriculum consisting of keynote speakers, online learning experiences, discussions with policymakers, networking opportunities, technical assistance, and small group projects.
Upon completion of the program, Fellows will have a better understanding on how to be a successful advocate for themselves, infants and toddlers, families, and their community.
Apply to be an Early Childhood Leadership Fellow today! Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM EST on Friday, November 5, 2021.
The Ohio Controlling Board Allocates Federal Funds to Stabilize Child Care
On Monday, the Ohio Controlling Board approved a request from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to appropriate more than $161 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars in Fiscal Year 2022 to stabilize child care providers and the child care workforce.
This is welcome relief for Ohio's child care providers and professionals. However, the remaining ARPA funding requires legislative approval. At this moment, a bill has not yet been introduced to appropriate the remaining ARPA funds. There is much work still to be done to ensure this funding is maximized and benefits Ohio families, providers, and the workforce.
Ohio Parents Share Why They Care About Quality Child Care
Many parents have struggled to stay in the workforce because they cannot find quality, affordable child care for their children. Just last month, the U.S. Treasury Department released a report on how America's "unworkable" child care system is affecting families, making it extremely difficult – if not impossible – for parents with young children to stay in the workforce.
Across Ohio, parents have been sharing their stories with us on why quality child care matters to them, their children, and their community. Last week we introduced you to Chloe, a single working parent in Ohio who shared why quality child care is so important to her family.
This week, we are featuring Justin's story. Like so many other working parents, Justin lost his job due to not having access to the child care he needed. However, once Justin was able to access quality child care, he was able to obtain better employment. Justin also shared why quality matters when selecting child care for his daughter: "Her teachers are excellent...I would like for her to be prepared for kindergarten. They do a great deal more than babysitting."
Strengthening State Efforts to Keep Children Safe from Lead
There is no safe level of lead in the body. New data indicates that Ohio’s children have elevated blood lead levels at more than two times the national rate, ranking our state second highest nationally in this indicator.
Lead exposure poses devastating consequences for children, especially young children, as they grow and develop physically, neurologically, cognitively, and behaviorally. It also heightens the risk of long-term chronic conditions later in life.
On Monday, October 18 at 2:00 PM – one week before National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week – join the Ohio Legislative Children's Caucus' virtual meeting to learn more about ongoing efforts for child lead poisoning prevention and what more is needed to eliminate the dangers of lead from our communities.
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