Scioto County Welcome Center

342 Second Street

Portsmouth, OH 45662

10:00 am: Registration

Take part in our data engagement activity before the formal program begins.

10:30 am: Welcome and Introductions

Lynanne Gutierrez, President, Groundwork Ohio

10:50 am: Maternal and Young Child Health Panel

Moderated by Bryan Davis, Scioto County Commissioner, panelists include:

• Paul Isherwood, Director of Pathways HUB

• Jennifer Martin, Manager of Healthcare Services, Molina Healthcare of Ohio

• Andrea Price, Director of Health Equity & Cultural Competency, Molina Healthcare of Ohio

11:35 am: Early Childhood Welfare and Learning

Moderated by Troy Hunter, Director of Research, Evaluation and Performance, Groundwork Ohio, panelists include:

• Caroline King, Director of Temple Tots

• Sarah Sloan, Head Start Director

• Kelsea Swords, Scioto County Safe Babies Program

12:15 pm: Lunch Discussion

12:55 pm: Conclusion and Wrap-Up

Lynanne Gutierrez, President, Groundwork Ohio

As the President of Groundwork Ohio, Lynanne Gutierrez is at the forefront of our statewide mission, spearheading a powerful early childhood movement. As a dedicated child advocate, Lynanne oversees the development and implementation of Groundwork’s policy agenda and shapes priorities and strategies through effective communication, advocacy, research, and data analysis.

A pivotal figure in Groundwork's strategic growth and transformation over the past seven years, Lynanne played a crucial role in expanding the organization's Statehouse footprint, relationships, and reputation across the state. Additionally, her efforts were instrumental in the successful transition to a standalone 501c3 in 2021.

Recognized as a respected early childhood expert in Ohio and nationwide, Lynanne is frequently sought out to address diverse audiences on early childhood policy advocacy. Appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to the state’s Early Childhood Advisory Council, she has served as a member since 2019.

Lynanne's professional journey includes prior roles in advocacy and private law practice focused on children and families. Before becoming a licensed attorney, she served as a Senior Legislative Aide in the Ohio Senate. A distinguished alumna of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctorate from Capital Law School, Lynanne is also a 2023 graduate of the prestigious Leadership Ohio program.

Lynanne, a resident of Columbus, Ohio, shares life with her husband Anthony and their two young children. She is an avid reader and amateur quilter.

Bryan Davis, Scioto County Commissioner

Paul Isherwood, Director of Pathways HUB

Initially drawn to Southeast Ohio from Ireland to study at Ohio University, it was the community and family that I found here that led me to want to make Athens my home. After a career in education, I began working for Hocking Athens Perry Community Action as the first Athens County Broadband Coordinator. Through this work, I developed a network of local stakeholders to develop a community-led solution to the county’s broadband deficits, focusing on attainable strategies rooted in the best interests of the region. Two years ago, I moved to a position with the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development as the director of a new initiative, the COAD Pathways HUB. This program offers Community Health Worker services to the most vulnerable members of communities across 15 counties in Southern Ohio, utilizing the nationally recognized Pathways model. Through this work, I have become deeply involved with both the healthcare and social services sector in the region, while gaining knowledge about the social drivers of health in the region.

Jennifer Martin, Manager of Healthcare Services, Molina Healthcare of Ohio

As manager of healthcare services Jennifer has oversight of the day-to-day operations and strategic objectives for the Medicaid Case Management Team. Jennifer has been with Molina Healthcare since June 2014 in the care management space, working with Medicaid and dual eligible Medicare-Medicaid recipients in Ohio. She has a Master’s of Science in Nursing from Xavier University. Prior to coming to Molina, Jennifer worked at West Chester Hospital and Mercy Hospital providing bedside care for her patients in cardiac step-down and medical-surgical units. Prior to her nursing career, Jennifer worked for the University of Cincinnati as a Research Assistant in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Comparative Pathology.

Andrea Price, Director of Health Equity & Cultural Competency, Molina Healthcare of Ohio

As the Director of Health Equity and Cultural Competency for Molina Healthcare, Andrea works cross functionally both internally and with Community Based Organizations, Healthcare Providers, and other stakeholders across Ohio to ensure equitable care for Ohioans receiving Medicaid and/or Medicare Managed Care from Molina.

Andrea is a Registered Nurse who received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Wright State University and master’s degree in health administration from Ohio University. She began her professional journey in healthcare as an inpatient rehabilitation Nurse at Kettering Hospital. After Kettering, Andrea spent over 12 years in the Medicaid and Medicare managed care area.

Andrea, a resident of Miamisburg, Ohio, lives with her husband Gary and has two adult children, Sydney and Alexander. She enjoys language learning and speaks French in her spare time.

Troy Hunter, Director of Research, Evaluation, & Performance, Groundwork Ohio

As Director of Research, Evaluation, & Performance Troy oversees the development and integration of the Early Childhood Data Dashboard and provides research and evaluation support across program areas. Troy’s work helps emphasize the impact of initiatives led by Groundwork Ohio on early childhood policy.

Troy’s has spent his career working in early childhood, mental health, and disabilities. Troy is a committed leader in the early childhood space and is dedicated to promoting positive outcomes for young children and their families. Troy has worked with families and young children in many roles, including as an early childhood educator, an early intervention provider, and a social worker. Troy is a licensed social worker and Ohio infant mental health practitioner. Troy is passionate about supporting families and has extensive micro and macro practice with early childhood systems.

Most recently Troy worked as Program Manager of the Ohio State University Nisonger Center’s Early Learning Program. In this role, Troy worked to support the inclusion of children receiving early intervention and special education services in general education programming. In addition to supporting children with and without disabilities, Troy worked to elevate equity issues within the early childhood workforce and the impact on quality early childhood education and care. Troy served as Social Work Faculty for the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities training program through The Ohio State University Nisonger Center. Troy mentored and supported social work graduate trainees working in infant and early childhood mental health and developmental diagnostic clinics.

Troy received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from The Ohio State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a master’s degree in social work. Troy is currently a doctoral student of educational studies at The Ohio State University. Troy’s research interest lies in the intersectionality between social justice and education, and he is specifically interested in policy issues that impact early childhood education.

In addition to his role at Groundwork, Troy is a lecturer for The Ohio State University College of Social Work and serves on The Ohio State University College of Social Work Alumni Society Executive Committee. Troy is passionate about his community and serves as a board member for the Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children and volunteers as a committee member for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio.

Caroline King, Director of Temple Tots

My name is Caroline King, and I am a lifelong resident of Scioto County. With over half of my life dedicated to the early childhood field, I proudly serve as the director of Temple Tots Preschool. My educational background includes studies at both the University of Cincinnati and Shawnee State University. I am honored to be an alumnus of the Groundwork Ohio Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship and a Life is Good Playmaker.

Sarah Sloan, Head Start Director

Sarah Sloan is the Community Action Organization of Scioto County Early Childhood Director. Sarah has been a part of the CAO agency for over 30 years focusing on education and early childhood care. The agency currently operates Head Start, Early Head Start, Early Childhood Education, and CACFP. They serve 422 children in 9 centers throughout the county and offer Home Base services.

Kelsea Swords, Scioto County Safe Babies Program

Kelsea is a person with lived experience. As a child of addicts, she understands the devastating impact the drug epidemic has on the community and families. She has spent eight years working to help those who struggle with addiction as well as their children. She has used her personal experience to support others through their recovery pathways by telling her story at treatment centers and recovery events, working as a service provider in SUD treatment, being part of the recovery coalition, and currently through her work with the Safe Babies program at Scioto County Juvenile Court. For over a year working with the Safe Babies Program, she has used her knowledge to enhance the child welfare experience for young children and their families impacted by the opioid crisis in Scioto County.

We want to hear from you. Policymakers need to hear about your expertise and challenges. Help inform early childhood policy and take our brief survey today.

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• Scioto County Factsheet

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