Why Local Policymakers Must Champion Child Care Solutions

By Vanessa Butler, Senior Director of Community Relations & Special Projects 

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Access to affordable, high-quality child care is a cornerstone of thriving communities. At Groundwork Ohio, we believe that every child deserves a strong start. We know that child care challenges aren’t just a state-level issue. Critical decisions made in local communities – by county commissioners, city councils, and local community leaders – are just as critical to creating environments where children, families, and businesses can thrive.  

Child care is often framed as a personal family challenge. However, in reality, it’s an economic issue, a workforce issue, and a community stability issue. The leaders closest to the people – our local policymakers – are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change.  

In Ohio alone: 

• Female-headed households make up 32% of all Ohio households, yet account for 59% of the households in poverty. (The Center for Community Solutions, the Status of Women, 2023)

• The average cost of infant care exceeds $13,000 per year. (Child Care Aware of America, Child Care in America: Price and Supply, 2024)

• 1 million working parents in Ohio have cut back their work hours due to child care barriers. (Groundwork Ohio Child Care Poll, 2024) 

These numbers are staggering and reflect real families in our communities. Each day, parents, often mothers, are forced to choose between going to work and child care for their children. Local economies bear the weight of these crucial decisions through workforce shortages, decreased productivity and retention, and lack of economic growth. 

Groundwork Ohio and the County Commissioners Association of Ohio: Partnering for Solutions 

Many families face barriers to accessing reliable child care, impacting workforce participation and economic stability. Local leaders can address these challenges by: 

• Assessing community-specific needs 

• Allocating resources to support child care providers 

• Implementing policies that promote accessibility and affordability 

  
  

Recognizing the importance of local action, Groundwork Ohio has partnered with the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) to advocate for policies necessary to expand child care access.  

CCAO is aligned with Groundwork Ohio’s budget priorities for FY26-27, including increasing eligibility of publicly funded child care to 160% of the federal poverty level in Substitute House Bill 96, and the continuation of the Child Care Choice Voucher Program for families up to 200% of the federal poverty level. On May 7th, CCAO’s President and Clermont County Commissioner, David Painter, provided testimony before the Ohio Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee. We remain grateful to CCAO for elevating the critical need to improve access to high-quality and affordable child care. 

Sustaining Local Advocacy and Looking Ahead 

We are grateful to see momentum build. Several local policymakers across Ohio have taken action by writing op-eds and letters to the editor elevating the urgent need for publicly-funded child care investments, including Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith, Toledo City Councilwoman Vanice S. Williams, and Warren County Commissioner Shannon Jones. 

These pieces serve as powerful statements of leadership and a call for policy solutions rooted in community needs. From Toledo to Cincinnati, from metropolitan to smaller rural communities, local leaders are exclaiming that child care is an essential need for communities to thrive, and we cannot no longer ignore it. 

Groundwork Ohio will continue to support and partner with local elected officials are committed to championing early childhood policies. But we need every voice in this movement. If you are a local elected official who believes in the necessity of quality, affordable child care, we invite you to partner with us. 

By leveraging local insights and leadership, we can all work towards creating a more equitable child care system that supports families and strengthens our communities. Groundwork Ohio remains committed to working alongside local policymakers to achieve this vision.