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This week, Groundwork Ohio participated in the first Ohio Home Visiting Summit. Ohio’s voluntary, evidence-based home visiting allows motivated parents to learn how to succeed in their new role and provide children a healthy start with their first and most important teachers—parents. Over the past several years, enhanced emphasis on data and accountability has led to increasing success among Ohio’s home visiting models. We were excited to connect with passionate home visitors and advocates from across the state to learn, collaborate, and share our experience advancing these important programs through Groundwork’s statewide advocacy. During our breakout session, Groundwork Executive Director Shannon Jones challenged home visitors, community health workers, and program administrators to empower themselves with research and knowledge, recognize the importance of data collection and fidelity to the model, and use their knowledge and personal stories to advocate for evidence-based home visiting. Participants left equipped to be advocates for the families with whom they interact daily and to advance the story of home visiting statewide so that we can increase investments, reach more at-risk babies and families, and drive positive outcomes for Ohio. Check out Shannon’s presentation here. Thank you to our friends Jye Breckenridge (Administrator, Early Childhood Home Visiting) and Sandy Oxley (Chief of Maternal, Child and Family Health) at the Ohio Department of Health for their endless passion for home visiting and for making the Summit possible, to the incredible Diedra Henry-Spires and Dr. Benjamin Kearney for sharing their expertise, and to the dedicated home visitors who are heroes to the moms and babies that they serve every day. Yesterday morning on "The Sound of Ideas," Groundwork Steering Committee member Rebekah Dorman (Director, Invest in Children, Cuyahoga County) applauded the Vote for Ohio Kids campaign's statewide effort to ensure our next governor prioritizes investments in early healthcare and education for our youngest Ohioans. Check out the audio clip here or visit our website to learn more about how you can get involved in the campaign . Social-Emotional Development in the First Three Years Why America’s Black Mothers and Babies Are in a Life-or-Death Crisis Viewpoint: CelebrateOne initiative is improving public health and work readiness in Columbus and Franklin County

Dear Groundwork Friends, As you know, Groundwork is committed to maintaining a statewide kindergarten readiness assessment (KRA) and continuously improving the assessment to better serve its purposes of being instructional for teachers, empowering for parents, and a critical measure for state and local policymakers. This commitment includes participating in the Early Childhood Comprehensive Assessment Advisory Group among a broad base of stakeholders from across the state including teachers, administrators, those who are driving school policy in local communities, early childhood advocates and private philanthropy. This group is convened and facilitated by the Ohio Department of Education. Thus far we have been provided helpful information and data by the Department that has provided context for our discussions in a productive format. I am happy to report that the discussion has been rich and we look forward to contributing to the group putting forth recommendations that are sensitive to the needs of all stakeholders and the complexity of assessment tools. As we continue these critical conversations, we encourage you to reach out to us with your insight and experience using the KRA so that we can share these with this group of experts in the field tasked with contributing to the assessment’s ongoing improvement. Sincerely, Lynanne Gutierrez Policy Director & Legal Counsel, Groundwork Ohio State Legislators Show Support for #Vote4OhioKids This week, the Ohio Children's Hospital Association (OCHA), Groundwork's partner in founding the Vote for Ohio Kids campaign, hosted a regional legislative briefing at Dayton Children's Hospital. Nick Lashutka, President and CEO of OCHA, shared the Vote for Ohio Kids campaign agenda and state legislators, including Senator Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering), Senator Bill Beagle (R-Tipp City), and Representative Scott Lipps (R-Franklin) were excited to show their support. Be sure to check out the Vote for Ohio Kids website to learn more about how you can join the coalition and support our efforts . And don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter ! Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish Supports Vote for Ohio Kids Campaign During his State of the County Address, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish shared his support for investments in early childhood programs and encouraged getting involved in the Vote for Ohio Kids campaign. "While we are making great progress, we still have a long way to go to guarantee every child a quality pre-k education. We need help, we need it from the State of Ohio. Groundwork Ohio and the Children's Hospital Association of Ohio are leading an effort to make sure that the next governor, no matter who that is, will prioritize early childhood education. You can get involved. To learn how, go to the website VoteforOhioKids.org. " Click here to watch the full State of the County Address. A Compass for Families: Head Start in Rural America Our Hope for the Future: Infant and Maternal Health in Cincinnati and Hamilton County Ohio and Cleveland gain little on "Nation's Report Card," as national scores stay flat

Groundwork Team, This week, we are happy to congratulate Stephanie Byrd, Co-Chair of the Groundwork Ohio Executive Committee, on her new position as CEO of the Greater Cincinnati-Dayton Region of the American Red Cross. As Stephanie embarks on this new role, I want to take a moment to express my appreciation for her many years of service to Groundwork Ohio and her dedication to advancing early childhood learning throughout the state. For the past 15 years, Stephanie has been a passionate leader for early childhood initiatives at United Way of Greater Cincinnati. During her time with UWGC, she served as a key advocate in passing Issue 44 (a local tax levy that funded quality preschool for Cincinnati’s most at-risk kids), took the helm as the first Executive Director for Cincinnati Preschool Promise, and led the organization’s Success By 6 kindergarten readiness initiative as the Senior Vice President of Early Learning Strategies. Her contributions to quality early childhood education initiatives in the Greater Cincinnati area will continue to impact kids long after her tenure with United Way. In addition to her local work, Stephanie currently serves on the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council and co-chairs the Groundwork Ohio Executive Committee. Her expertise in early childhood programs and kindergarten readiness have made her an invaluable member of both groups, helping to guide the strategic advancement of Ohio’s early learning. On a personal note, I have learned a lot from Stephanie — about both early childhood education and leadership in general. I will miss her thoughtful insights greatly. As Stephanie begins her role as CEO with the Greater Cincinnati-Dayton Region of the American Red Cross, we wish her the best of luck and look forward to supporting her as she continues to transform the well-being of the Cincinnati and Dayton regions. Warm personal regards, Shannon Jones Executive Director, Groundwork Ohio UPCOMING EVENTS Invest in Children's Annual Meeting Tuesday, May 22nd | 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Holiday Inn, Rockside in Independence, OH As a Federal Reserve Economist, Featured Keynote Presenter Art Rolnick conducted groundbreaking research on the economic impact of early childhood programs and help change the conversation on the benefits of investment in programs for young children. The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Click here to register. HPIO's Social Determinants of Infant Mortality Webinar Tuesday, April 10 | 11:30 am. The Health Policy Institute of Ohio is hosting a webinar on key findings and recommendations from their report, A New Approach to Reduce Infant Mortality and Achieve Equity: Policy Recommendations to Improve Housing, Transportation, Education and Employment. Click here to register. Voices for Ohio's Children is hosting Celebration for Ohio's Children! April 13, 2018 | 8-9:30 AM Jerry Sue Thornton Conference Center 2500 E 22nd St., Cleveland, OH 44115 The Voices Team and a supportive cross-section of children’s advocates, policymakers, and community business members will gather in Voices’ hometown of Cleveland for this special annual breakfast event, where we highlight Voices' successes and recognize Champions for Children. Click here to register.

Dear Groundwork Friends, This week, we celebrate the life of Linda Brown, the brave student at the center of the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education. In 1951, Linda Brown’s father, along with the NAACP and several other parents, filed a class-action lawsuit against the Board of Education of the City of Topeka, Kansas that called for a reversal of the district’s policy that allowed “separate but equal” schools. After three years of arguments, the case was eventually heard by the Supreme Court, which determined that establishing separate schools for black and white students was unconstitutional. More than half a century later, we are still fighting to ensure that all children are given the opportunity to succeed. In Ohio, only 40% of children enter Kindergarten ready to learn each year. Upon deeper analysis, we find that a mere 23.9% of black students and 23% of Hispanic students demonstrate kindergarten readiness—and these gaps persist throughout K-12 schooling and into the workforce. Brown’s victory in 1954 was an invaluable first step toward creating equality for students, but child advocates today must work to ensure equity for those students who continue to be left behind. In Groundwork’s Ohio Early Childhood Race and Rural Equity Report, which will be released late in the spring of 2018, we hope to raise awareness around this problem, so that we can begin to close these gaps and ensure all children, regardless of race and geography, have a promising future. Warm personal regards, Shannon Jones Executive Director, Groundwork Ohio Engaging with Gubernatorial Candidates This week, Groundwork was excited to meet with gubernatorial candidate Representative Dennis Kucinich and his running mate City Councilwoman Tara Samples to discuss the importance of prioritizing early childhood education and healthcare. We thank Congressman Kucinich and Councilwoman Samples for their support of our important work! In the coming months, Groundwork is working to engage with all of the candidates to ensure that Ohio’s next governor prioritizes investments in our youngest learners. Check out www.voteforohiokids.org to learn more about our campaign with Ohio Children’s Hospital Association to put kids front and center during this year’s gubernatorial election. Be sure to join the coalition or donate to the campaign to show your support for Ohio kids! UPCOMING EVENTS Invest in Children's Annual Meeting Tuesday, May 22nd | 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Holiday Inn, Rockside in Independence, OH As a Federal Reserve Economist, Featured Keynote Presenter Art Rolnick conducted groundbreaking research on the economic impact of early childhood programs and help change the conversation on the benefits of investment in programs for young children. The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Click here to register. HPIO's Social Determinants of Infant Mortality Webinar Tuesday, April 10 | 11:30 am. The Health Policy Institute of Ohio is hosting a webinar on key findings and recommendations from their report, A New Approach to Reduce Infant Mortality and Achieve Equity: Policy Recommendations to Improve Housing, Transportation, Education and Employment. Click here to register. Voices for Ohio's Children is hosting Celebration for Ohio's Children! April 13, 2018 | 8-9:30 AM Jerry Sue Thornton Conference Center 2500 E 22nd St., Cleveland, OH 44115 The Voices Team and a supportive cross-section of children’s advocates, policymakers, and community business members will gather in Voices’ hometown of Cleveland for this special annual breakfast event, where we highlight Voices' successes and recognize Champions for Children. Click here to register. Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Two promising approaches in Ohio April 3, 2018 | 12 pm CT/1 pm ET The Health Resources & Services Administration Region 5 Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Workgroup invites you to register for a webinar on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Two promising approaches in Ohio. The webinar will highlight Maternal Opiate Medical Supports (MOMS) and The Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnant Women Collaborative. Click here to register.

This week Groundwork Ohio provided interested party testimony in support of Senate Bill 246, the Supporting Alternatives to a Fair Education (SAFE) Act to revise student expulsion procedures. Groundwork firmly believes that a change in school culture is required to 1) better meet the needs of all of Ohio’s children, particularly those who are experiencing trauma at an unprecedented rate ; 2) position children for academic and life success and; 3) lay the foundation for our state’s future economic prosperity by investing in Ohio’s future workforce. The skills gap we see in today’s workforce begins early. It is no coincidence that only 40% of Ohio kindergartners enter the classroom ready to learn and only 43% of Ohio’s workforce has a degree or credential for available jobs. We know that skills assessed in our Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (e.g. literacy and math skills, social and emotional skills, critical thinking) are predictors of future success. These skills come from healthy development and education with the foundation for skill development being laid in the earliest years. We have a critical period of time to position all Ohio children for success, but not all children have the same early experiences. Racial disparities start before a child even enters school--46.2% of white kindergarteners come to school ready to learn compared to only 23.5% of African American kindergarteners and 22.3% of Hispanic kindergartners. As we continue to follow Ohio’s youngest students throughout their academic careers, we find that these racial gaps persist. In the last school year, there were over 34,000 suspensions and expulsions handed out to Ohio students, pre-k through third grade, the vast majority of these being for non-violent behaviors such as disruption. Considering all suspensions and expulsions given among Ohio kindergartners, black students were 7 times more likely to be disciplined than their white peers. By 2nd Grade, black students were 10 times more likely to be disciplined as white students. This unconscionable gap widens with each passing year for our most at-risk 4-8 year olds. The SAFE Act is the change in school culture required to better meet the needs of all Ohio children by supporting schools in preparing teachers and other school professionals to be armed with the knowledge, skills, and resources to better respond to the unique needs of Ohio kids. By doing so, the SAFE Act is demanding better outcomes for all of our most at-risk young children by thoughtfully limiting the use of out-of-school suspensions and expulsions issued to Pre-K through and 3rd gradestudents and measuring a school’s progress over time to ensure accountability so that we can begin to eliminate racial disparities. The SAFE Act is critical to positioning children for academic and life success and helping to lay the foundation for our state’s future economic prosperity by investing in our future workforce. Click here to read the full testimony. Update: SB 216 Passes in Senate This week, the Ohio Public School Deregulation Act (SB 216) passed unanimously off the Senate floor with a crucial amendment to preserve the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). The amendment, offered by bill sponsor Senator Matt Huffman (R-Lima), was added after months of concern and testimony from Groundwork, along with other early childhood education advocates, that decisions concerning the administration of a statewide kindergarten readiness assessment require additional time and consideration among a wide group of stakeholders. The bill, amendment included, now moves to the House for consideration. Vote for Ohio Kids Facebook Frame Spice up your Facebook profile and support #Vote4OhioKids by adding our customized frame to your profile picture. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates on the campaign! On Tuesday, April 10 at 11:30 am, the Health Policy Institute of Ohio is hosting a webinar on key findings and recommendations from their report, A New Approach to Reduce Infant Mortality and Achieve Equity: Policy Recommendations to Improve Housing, Transportation, Education and Employment. Click here to register.

This past Sunday, the Groundwork staff, like many other child advocates across the state, was excited to watch as Oprah shined a light on the prevalence of childhood trauma in the United States. The 60-Minutes segment focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which are traumatic events that have the potential to cause long-lasting negative effects. Much of Oprah's message reflected what many child advocates already know about the impact of childhood trauma, but this got us thinking--what is the impact of ACEs in Ohio? This week, Groundwork released an info sheet on ACEs in Ohio to help continue this conversation on the state level. We found that almost half of all children in Ohio have experienced at least one ACE, but black and Hispanic children are at much higher risk than their white peers. Nationally, 51% of Hispanic children and 61% of black children have had an adverse childhood experience, compared to 40% of their white peers. As the frequency and length of ACEs increase, so do the impacts on physical and mental health, academic achievement, and self-sufficiency. Ohio ranks 46th in the nation for kids with high levels of early childhood trauma-1 in 7 Ohio kids have experienced at least 3 ACEs, putting them at higher risk for long-lasting negative effects. The long-term physical health, mental health, and behavioral impacts of ACEs range from heart disease to depression to drug addiction. In light of Ohio's Opioid crisis, it wasn't surprising to see that experts have found a particularly meaningful link between ACEs and prescription drug abuse. Research shows that individuals who have experienced high levels of childhood trauma (five or more ACEs) are three times more likely to abuse prescription painkillers and 5 times more likely to inject drugs . Furthermore, the vast majority (80%) of opioid users seeking treatment had at least one adverse childhood experience. As we consider ways to reduce the long-term individual and societal impacts ACEs can have, we must focus on addressing the effects of ACEs, as well as preventing them from occurring in the first place. Because ACEs often have a multigenerational impact, the most effective solutions are those that engage families, like quality child care and voluntary, evidence-based home visiting. These programs promote healthy physical, emotional, and cognitive development of kids; effectiveness and self-sufficiency of parents; and safe, consistent family environments. Ohio has created a framework for a system of early childhood programs that have the potential to transform our state, but we still have a long way to go if we want to ensure that every child has the potential for life-long success. By making strategic investments to improve the accessibility and quality of programs like quality child care and evidence-based home visiting, we can reduce ACEs, while simultaneously offering a long-term solution for statewide issues like the opioid crisis. Ohio Commission on Infant Mortality Update Ohio's rates of infant mortality are significantly higher than the national average, despite increased awareness surrounding the issue over the past several years. The Ohio Commission on Infant Mortality, chaired by Senator Stephanie Kunze (SD-16) and Representative Sarah LaTourette (HD-76), met last week to discuss new research and programs to help us gain a clearer understanding of the causes of infant mortality, as well as the ways we can effectively intervene. Check out some of the resources shared at the meeting: HPIO Social Determinants of Infant Mortality Celebrate One, Community Development for All People, and CareSource Programs The Ohio Department of Education has released a working draft of the state’s five-year strategic plan for education: EachChild=OurFuture . Interested in giving feedback on the Department's plan? Click here to engage in one of 11 community conversations Philanthropy Ohio is hosting to provide input on Ohio’s Draft Strategic Education Plan. Children's Defense Fund Hires Executive Director Children's Defense Fund Ohio was excited to welcome its new Executive Director Tracy Nájera last week. We look forward to working with Tracy and continuing our relationship with Children's Defense Fund Ohio!

This week, Vote for Ohio Kids released fact sheets on High-Quality Child Care and High-Quality Preschool that help provide context and support to the strong agenda the campaign has put forward to ensure Ohio’s next governor prioritizes investments in early childhood education and healthcare. The fact sheets provide a broad overview of child care and preschool in Ohio, the benefits of participation in quality programs, the return on investment for the state, and our recommendations for Ohio’s next governor. The new fact sheets supplement our Early Childhood Experiences overview fact sheet that was released in February. New resources will be added to the Vote for Ohio Kids website regularly, so be sure to visit our Resources page often. In addition to the fact sheets that were released this week, Vote for Ohio Kids has assembled a Media Toolkit to help coalition members spread the word about the campaign. The Toolkit includes campaign information, a list of the ways to engage with the campaign, sample content to be shared on various platforms, and shareable images. If you haven’t yet, make sure you Join the Coalition and follow @Vote4OhioKids on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the latest campaign news. "Know the Gap, Close the Gap - Now and How" Groundwork Team, Last Friday, I was grateful to join over 500 of Dayton’s child advocates ranging from early childhood educators to superintendents to business leaders who gathered with a shared commitment to closing the achievement gap in Dayton and Montgomery County. Dayton’s focus on equity began with a report published in January 2017 by Learn to Earn Dayton called “Know the Gap, Close the Gap” , which told a powerful story about the county’s unacceptable achievement gap. For example, only 18.8% of African American children demonstrated readiness for kindergarten compared to 41% of white children in Montgomery County. As they work to expose this gap, the ultimate goal is to give every child an equal chance at success. Building on the progress launched through the report, this year’s Kindergarten Readiness Summit was appropriately called “Know the Gap, Close the Gap—Now and How.” Through the initial report and the thoughtful sharing and understanding of the story behind the data, the community is now coalescing around specific goals to achieve racial equity. For example, through further analysis, Learn to Earn Dayton determined that helping an additional 245 African American students demonstrate readiness would close the racial gap and overall proficiency in the county would increase from 34.9%-40.7% By establishing a measurable target, the community can now begin to strategically close this gap. The event's keynote speaker Dr. John Marshall, Chief Equity Officer for Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky, said it best: “Equity is not hard—it just has to be brave.” Inspired by the bravery of Learn to Earn, the City of Dayton, and Montgomery County, I am excited to dive deeper into Groundwork’s Race and Rural Equity data project , which will be shared as a report late this Spring. I am hopeful that this important work will encourage our state to follow the model of local communities like Dayton to work toward closing the achievement gap in Ohio once and for all. Sincerely, Lynanne Wolf Policy and Advocacy Associate, Groundwork Ohio

By: Lysette Arnold, Policy Assistant at Groundwork Ohio Follow Lysette on Twitter and LinkedIn Groundwork Ohio is excited to bring together members of our Family Action Network – a powerful and diverse coalition of Ohio families with young children from across the state – at the Ohio Statehouse on May 18th, 2022. At the event, Family Ambassadors, including parents, grandparents, foster parents, and kinship caregivers, will meet with their state policymakers to share their stories and build relationships. In preparation for the event, Groundwork Ohio has paired each of our Family Ambassadors with someone involved in a local community organization to help families navigate the Statehouse and prepare to share their stories with policymakers. These Community Ambassadors have many shared experiences with our families, but they are coming alongside Family Ambassadors to provide support to them through this journey at the Statehouse and in their communities. During the early stages of building our Family Action Network, we asked our Family Ambassadors, “What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of your family?” Their heartwarming responses were covered in my most recent blog post: Love, Blessed, Resilient: Getting to Know Ohio Families with Young Children . We also asked our Community Ambassadors, “What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of your community?” The similarities between our Family and Community Ambassadors is very telling of the experiences many Ohioans share. Similar to the Family Ambassadors, words like “Love” and “Resilient” were two of the most common words that came to Community Ambassadors' minds. Both Family and Community Ambassadors can agree that they and their communities have the resilience to overcome challenges. The love shared in the communities and among families is undeniable, as seen by the responses we collected. We would like to express our appreciation for our community partners for their support and enthusiasm toward our Family Action Network! We can’t wait to meet you at the Ohio Statehouse to assist you in guiding Ohio families through this exciting process. You’re invited to join members of the Family Action Network at the Ohio Statehouse on May 18th at 12:30 PM! Join early childhood professionals, community leaders, policymakers, and Ohio families at Groundwork Ohio’s Family Celebration. There will be kid-friendly entertainment, activities, popsicles, special guest speakers, and more! Learn more and RSVP: www.groundworkohio.org/celebration . To learn more about Groundwork Ohio’s Family Action Network at www.groundworkohio.org/familyaction .

Groundwork's Big Family Celebration is Just Days Away... RSVP Today! In just a few days, hundreds of Ohio families, caregivers, early childhood professionals, community leaders, policymakers, and advocates are gathering at the Ohio Statehouse for Groundwork Ohio's Family Celebration... and we want you to be there! Join us on Wednesday, May 18th at 12:30 PM on the West Plaza of the Ohio Statehouse for Groundwork's Family Celebration , where we will be celebrating Ohio families, caregivers, and our youngest children. At the Family Celebration, you'll join fellow Ohioans from across the state to show your support and cheer on members of our Family Action Network who are coming to the Statehouse to share their stories and experiences with state legislators. Did we mention there will be kid-friendly entertainment, activities, special guest speakers, and more? Be sure to let us know you're coming. RSVP today! Learn More & RSVP >> After you RSVP, be sure to invite your friends, family, and community members to join the Family Celebration! Download our promotional toolkit for content you can share on social media, email, and more. Upcoming Webinar: Join Us for a Discussion on Maternal Mental Health Maternal mortality and morbidity continues to be a major public health crisis in Ohio. However, discussions about the contributing factors to maternal mortality and morbidity often don't include maternal mental health. National and statewide data demonstrate that maternal mental health must be recognized as a part of the comprehensive picture of maternal health and well-being. On Wednesday, May 25th at 11:00 AM EST , please join Groundwork Ohio's Center for Maternal and Young Child Health for an in-depth conversation on maternal mental health and its connection to maternal mortality and morbidity. During the virtual discussion, you'll hear from a distinguished panel of providers, experts, advocates, and storytellers who will share the unique ways they are supporting the mental health of pregnant and mothers in their communities. Register for the Webinar >> Get to Know Groundwork: Cherrelle Turner, Director of the Center for Family Voice Over the past few months, as part of our "Get to Know Groundwork" series, we've introduced you to members of the incredible Groundwork Ohio team. This week, we're excited to introduce you to our newest team member: Cherrelle Turner, Director of the Center for Family Voice at Groundwork Ohio! As Director of the Center for Family Voice, Cherrelle drives the Center’s work to elevate the voices of families with young children in early childhood policy and advocacy to achieve programmatic, policy, and practice changes at local, regional, and state levels. Read our Q&A with Cherrelle to learn more about why she's a passionate early childhood advocate and what her vision of the future is for Ohio's youngest children and their families! G et to Know Cherrelle >> What Word Comes to Mind When You Think About Your Community? Groundwork Ohio recently asked members of our Family Action Network, "What's the first word that comes to mind when you think about your family?" The heartwarming and sincere responses they shared with us, which we recently shared in a blog , reflect the overwhelming love and strength of Ohio families with young children. The responses from our Family Action Network got us thinking: How do Ohioans describe their communities? So we asked people involved in family-serving organizations to tell us the first word they think of when they think about their community. Check out Groundwork Ohio's new blog to read more about what they had to say! Read the Blog >> Groundwork Ohio Shares Early Childhood Dashboard Preview with National Experts This week, Groundwork Ohio met with Child Care Aware® of America’s (CCAoA’s) Research and Data team. CCAoA works with a national network of more than 400 child care resource and referral agencies and other partners from across the nation to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Shannon Jones, Groundwork Ohio's President & CEO, and Reem Aly, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, provided the CCAoA team with a demonstration of Groundwork's Early Childhood Dashboard Preview and had a great discussion on measuring what matters and data transparency. Groundwork Ohio also shared plans for development of the comprehensive Early Childhood Dashb oard to be released in 2023. We want to hear from you! Groundwork Ohio is gathering feedback on our Dashboard Preview to inform development of the 2023 Dashboard. We invite you to explore our Dashboard Preview and share your reactions and feedback . Explore Our Dashboard Preview >> New Report Examines the State of Babies in Ohio and Nationwide Where children are born can affect their chances for a strong start in life. Babies need good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences to foster their healthy brain development and help them realize their full potential. Ohio is home to 404,275 babies. So how are babies and their families faring in our state? Check out the newly-released State of Babies Yearbook 2022 from ZERO TO THREE's Think Babies to learn how Ohio measures up on indicators related to Good Health, Strong Families, and Positive Early Learning Experiences. Read the Report >> Opinion: Pre-K is Powerful When Done Right. Here’s How. Why Is the Maternal Mortality Rate Rising in America? Senate Democrats shop revamped child care reconciliation proposal U.S. Health Department launching maternal mental health hotline for new and expecting moms Rise in perinatal and postpartum depression needs to be tackled Want to increase your impact?  Share this message with family, friends, and colleagues now!

Hundreds of Ohioans Gather at Statehouse to Celebrate Families with Young Children, Launch of Groundwork Ohio’s Family Action Network Gov. DeWine, State Policymakers, and Community Leaders Welcome Groundwork’s Family Action Network, Encourage Families to Elevate Their Voices in Policymaking Process COLUMBUS, OH – Yesterday at the Ohio Statehouse, Groundwork Ohio officially launched its Family Action Network , a powerful and diverse statewide coalition of Ohio families with infants, toddlers, and young children who will engage with policymakers on the issues that matter most to them and their families. At the Family Action Network launch event, roughly 700 Ohioans – including parents, grandparents, foster parents, kinship caregivers, their young children, community partners, and policymakers – gathered in the Capitol Atrium to share their stories with state legislators and celebrate the power of family voices. At the launch event in the Capitol Atrium, families were greeted with welcoming remarks from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who encouraged families and caregivers to elevate their voices, share their stories, and engage in the policymaking process. “As the number one people in the lives of children, you play a vital role in Ohio’s future, and you are a valuable source of information about family issues,” said Governor Mike DeWine in his recorded remarks . “I encourage you to share your stories and your concerns with Ohio’s policy and lawmakers whenever you have that opportunity, but especially today during this celebration of families.” “All too often, policymakers don’t truly understand the challenges Ohio families are facing today. Ohio families deserve a seat at the table when it comes to the policies and programs that affect the healthy development of their young children,” said Shannon Jones, President and CEO of Groundwork Ohio . “Policymakers must listen to families, value their voices, and respect families as the experts of their own stories and experiences.” “Parents and caregivers are powerful agents of change. Groundwork Ohio is honored to invest in the leadership of Ohio families through our powerful statewide Family Action Network,” said Cherrelle Turner, theDirector of the Center for Family Voice at Groundwork Ohio “We look forward to continuing to partner with families to elevate their voices and empower them to engage in advocacy and policymaking – whether in their own communities or at the Statehouse.” During the launch event, members of the Family Action Network also had the opportunity to hear a bipartisan panel of state policymakers discuss the importance of constituents meeting with policymakers to share their voices and experiences. Following meetings with state legislators, early childhood stakeholders, community leaders, advocates, and policymakers joined the Family Action Network in the Statehouse for Groundwork’s Family Celebration. Built with families and young children in mind, the Family Celebration featured children’s entertainment, music, and popsicles, as well as guest remarks from Director Lydia Mihalik of the Ohio Department of Development and Franklin County Commissioner Erica C. Crawley. The inaugural Family Action Network includes families from every region of the state, including rural, suburban, and urban areas. Groundwork Ohio will continue to engage these families and grow the Family Action Network, providing accessible opportunities for them to inform policy development and engage in advocacy opportunities. VIDEO: Hear from members of Groundwork Ohio's Family Action Network and other Ohio families on why policymakers must listen to families with young children. To learn more about Groundwork Ohio’s Family Action Network, please visit www.groundworkohio.org/familyaction # # # Groundwork Ohio is a committed, nonpartisan public-policy research and advocacy organization formed in 2004 that champions high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies from the prenatal period to age five, that lay a strong foundation for Ohio kids, families, and communities. Learn more about Groundwork Ohio at groundworkohio.org and connect with us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and YouTube .

Groundwork Ohio Launches Family Action Network at the Statehouse This week at the Ohio Statehouse, Groundwork Ohio officially launched its Family Action Network , a powerful and diverse statewide coalition of Ohio families with infants, toddlers, and young children who will engage with policymakers on the issues that matter most to them and their families. At the Family Action Network launch event, roughly 700 Ohioans – including parents, grandparents, foster parents, kinship caregivers, their young children, community partners, and policymakers – gathered to share their stories with state legislators and celebrate the power of family voices. Parents and caregivers are powerful agents of change. Groundwork Ohio is honored to invest in the leadership of Ohio families through our powerful statewide Family Action Network. We look forward to continuing to partner with families to elevate their voices and empower them to engage in advocacy and policymaking – whether in their own communities or at the Statehouse. Learn More >> Governor Mike DeWine Addresses Groundwork's Family Action Network During the launch of Groundwork Ohio's Family Action Network at the Ohio Statehouse, families and their young children were welcomed by a very special guest: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine! In recorded remarks shared with the Family Action Network, Governor DeWine encouraged families to elevate their voices, share their stories, and engage in the policymaking process. “As the number one people in the lives of children, you play a vital role in Ohio’s future, and you are a valuable source of information about family issues,” Governor Mike DeWine told families in his recorded remarks . “I encourage you to share your stories and your concerns with Ohio’s policy and lawmakers whenever you have that opportunity, but especially today during this celebration of families.” Thank you, Governor DeWine, for welcoming our Family Action Network to the Ohio Statehouse! Watch Governor DeWine's Remarks >> Groundwork, YWCA-Columbus Host Forum on Young Children & Families As part of the launch of Groundwork Ohio's Family Action Network, Groundwork Ohio and YWCA-Columbus co-hosted the Collaborative for Young Children Forum at the Sheraton Columbus Hotel at Capitol Square. The Forum was a unique opportunity for early childhood stakeholders, including organizational leaders, early childhood professionals, advocates, and families, to hear remarks from guest speakers like Jamie Carmichael, the Ohio Department of Health’s first Chief Health Opportunity Advisor, and Columbus City Councilmember Elizabeth Brown. Following the Forum, early childhood stakeholders marched to the Statehouse to join Groundwork's Family Celebration and show their support for members of the Family Action Network. We thank YWCA-Columbus, our guest speakers, early childhood professionals, advocates, and families for participating in the launch of our Family Action Network! Upcoming Webinar: Join Us for a Discussion on Maternal Mental Health On Wednesday, May 25th at 11:00 AM, during National Mental Health Awareness Month and Ohio’s Maternal Mortality Awareness Month, please join Groundwork Ohio's Center for Maternal & Young Child Health for a virtual conversation on maternal mental health and its relationship to and maternal mortality and morbidity. Maternal mortality and morbidity is a major public health crisis in Ohio. However, discussions about the contributing factors to maternal mortality and morbidity often don't include maternal mental health. National and statewide data demonstrate that maternal mental health must be recognized as a part of the comprehensive picture of maternal health and well-being. The webinar will feature community-based organizations, providers, advocates, and people with lived experience who will share the unique ways they are supporting the mental health of pregnant Ohioans and mothers in their communities and advancing equity. Register for the Webinar >> New Resource on National Baby Formula Shortage No parent or caregiver should worry about being able to feed their infant. Yet due to a national shortage of baby formula, parents and caregivers across the country are increasingly anxious about whether they can meet their child's nutritional needs. This week, Groundwork Ohio partnered with the Center for Community Solutions and the Children's Defense Fund-Ohio to release a fact sheet on the national baby formula shortage. The fact sheet provides families and community organizations with timely information and important resources in response to the growing crisis. Learn More >> Farewell and Best Wishes to a Member of the Groundwork Ohio Team! This week, we're bidding farewell to Chelsea Kiene, Groundwork Ohio's Director of Communications & Stakeholder Engagement. While we are sad to see Chelsea go, we congratulate her on her new role at The Columbus Foundation! If you'd like to stay connected with Chelsea, you can contact her on LinkedIn . If you have a Groundwork Ohio request and aren't sure whom to contact, you can email our team at info@groundworkohio.org . Connect with Chelsea on LinkedIn >> Why baby formula is in short supply — and who is most at risk Ohio asks for federal help on infant formula shortage for 61K low-income babies The case for revolutionizing child care in America The US routinely fails its babies — Here’s how to fight for their future Want to increase your impact?  Share this message with family, friends, and colleagues now!

Groundwork Ohio Launches Family Action Network at the Statehouse Last week at the Ohio Statehouse, Groundwork Ohio officially launched its Family Action Network , a powerful and diverse statewide coalition of Ohio families with infants, toddlers, and young children who will engage with policymakers on the issues that matter most to them and their families. At the Family Action Network launch event, roughly 700 Ohioans – including parents, grandparents, foster parents, kinship caregivers, their young children, community partners, and policymakers – gathered to share their stories with state legislators and celebrate the power of family voices. Parents and caregivers are powerful agents of change. Groundwork Ohio is honored to invest in the leadership of Ohio families through our powerful statewide Family Action Network. We look forward to continuing to partner with families to elevate their voices and empower them to engage in advocacy and policymaking – whether in their own communities or at the Statehouse. Check out all of our videos on our YouTube channel! Learn More >> ICYMI: Watch our Webinar on Maternal Mortality and Maternal Mental Health This week, Groundwork Ohio's Center for Maternal and Young Child Health convened an excellent lineup of speakers to discuss maternal mental health and the relationship between maternal mental health and maternal mortality. During the webinar, speakers and panelists discussed the unique ways they are supporting the mental health of pregnant Ohioans and mothers in their communities and advancing equity. Maternal mortality and morbidity is a major public health crisis in Ohio. However, discussions about the contributing factors to maternal mortality and morbidity often don't include maternal mental health. National and statewide data demonstrate that maternal mental health must be recognized as a part of the comprehensive picture of maternal health and well-being. Missed our webinar? Watch the recorded webinar to catch up on the discussion! Watch The Recorded Webinar >> Get to Know Groundwork: Cherrelle Turner, Director of the Center for Family Voice In our latest installment of our "Get to Know Groundwork" series, we are introducing you to Cherrelle Turner, Director of the Center for Family Voice. Cherrelle joined Groundwork Ohio in May and we're thrilled to welcome her to the team. As Director of the Center for Family Voice, Cherrelle will drive the Center’s work to elevate the voices of families with young children in early childhood policy and advocacy to achieve programmatic, policy, and practice changes at local, regional, and state levels Read our Q&A with Cherrelle to learn more about why she's a passionate early childhood advocate and what her vision of the future is for Ohio's youngest children and their families! Get to Know Cherrelle >> Apply to Join the Groundwork Ohio Team! Groundwork Ohio is hiring for THREE exciting roles within our growing organization. The deadline to apply to the listed positions is Friday, June 10. Apply today to join an amazing and dynamic team! Director, Communications Director, Advancement Manager, Advancement View Our Job Postings >> ICYMI: New Resource on National Baby Formula Shortage No parent or caregiver should worry about being able to feed their infant. Yet due to a national shortage of baby formula, parents and caregivers across the country are increasingly anxious about whether they can meet their child's nutritional needs. Last week, Groundwork Ohio partnered with the Center for Community Solutions and the Children's Defense Fund-Ohio to release a fact sheet on the national baby formula shortage. The fact sheet provides families and community organizations with timely information and important resources in response to the growing crisis. The fact sheet is now available in Spanish . Learn More >> Farewell and Best Wishes to a Member of the Groundwork Ohio Team! This week, we're bidding farewell to Kelsey E. Hopkins, Groundwork Ohio's Prenatal-to-Three Manager. While we are sad to see Kelsey go, we congratulate her on her new role at The Ohio State University College of Social Work. If you'd like to stay connected with Kelsey, you can contact her on LinkedIn . If you have a Groundwork Ohio request and aren't sure whom to contact, you can email our team at info@groundworkohio.org . Connect with Kelsey on LinkedIn >> Infant formula: the superfood you never think about Addressing the Nation's Infant Formula Crisis 4 Reasons the U.S. Economy Needs Comprehensive Child Card Want to increase your impact?  Share this message with family, friends, and colleagues now!