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By: Krista Allison, Sadie Bonifas, Molly Hagkull, and Liz Hibbs, Groundwork Ohio’s 2020 Early Childhood Leadership Fellows Follow Krista , Sadie , Molly , and Liz , on LinkedIn As members of Groundwork Ohio’s inaugural Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship in 2020, we four, along with Helen Mattheis and Camille Harris, comprised a small group tasked with creating action steps to address equity in early childhood. With the guidance of former Groundwork staff members Julia Jackels and Julia Hohner, we settled on creating what became The Early Childhood Equity and Justice Challenge , a 10-day challenge to foster awareness of race, culture, equity, and justice in the early childhood system. We recognize the need for all stakeholders in the early childhood space to create equitable practices that will dismantle systemic racism and advance social justice. Our challenge provides education around the many facets of racial equity (beyond just the opportunity gaps in school systems) with the goal of building empathy and empowerment for early childhood professionals so they may better serve all children and families. In April of 2022 we had our first opportunity to share this work as presenters at the Ohio AEYC virtual statewide conference. We created an OA approved, abridged 90-minute version of our challenge focusing on Day 2: How to talk to children about race. Through self-assessment, study of articles and data, analysis of classroom videos, reflection questions, conversation, and investigation of classroom resources, participants were able to acknowledge their current strengths and imagine areas for growth. We were pleased by the thoughtful engagement of the educators, and we look forward to facilitating our complete 15-hour course pending OA approval. We remain committed to the idea that Anti-Racist/Anti-Bias teaching and curriculum is a powerful step in the march toward a just and equitable world. We may not be able to fix the entire world, but we can encourage folks to start with their homes and their classrooms. Listening and watching early learning teachers participate together during our session with vulnerability and courage gives us hope for the future! Groundwork Ohio’s Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship provides emerging early childhood professionals with essential training and support needed to enhance their leadership skills and talents. Please visit https://www.groundworkohio.org/fellowship for program details.

Groundwork Ohio continues to ensure that Ohio’s next governor understands the current state of Ohio’s early childhood programs and the importance of prioritizing investments in Ohio’s earliest learners (see the Gubernatorial Reference Manual we’ve shared with candidates for a thorough overview of these areas). In addition to providing all candidates with current early childhood content, we are also meeting with any interested candidates as they work on their platforms. Just Monday, we had the opportunity to participate in a roundtable with gubernatorial candidate Rich Cordray, which was focused on Ohio early childhood education. Groundwork, along with one of our Co-Chairs, Robyn Lightcap with Dayton-Montgomery County Preschool Promise, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, Montgomery County Commissioner Debbie Lieberman, early childhood providers, school administrators, and parents, outlined the importance of providing working families with high-quality child care, high-quality preschool, and voluntary, evidence-based home visiting programs. Throughout this conversation, a common theme was the need to improve access to quality child care programs across the state. Ohio law mandates that 100% of programs must be rated (1-5 stars) by 2020 and 100% of programs must be highly-rated (3-5 stars) in our quality rating system, Step Up to Quality (SUTQ), in order to receive publicly funded childcare dollars. Despite this mandate, Ohio has made slow progress in getting children access to quality early childhood programs. According to a January 2018 briefing from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, only 20% of programs are highly rated and only 29% of programs are even rated at all. Unless Ohio’s next governor prioritizes increased investments in quality early childhood programs, we will not be able to lay the foundation for the economic success of our most at-risk kids and our state as a whole. As the gubernatorial campaign progresses, Groundwork looks forward to elevating this issue as well as issues surrounding early childhood health care with the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association through the Vote for Ohio Kids Campaign. If you’re interested in joining the coalition , sponsoring our effort , or learning more, visit our website —and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter ! Groundwork's Breakfast Briefings for Business Leaders Once again, thank you to everyone who made our Breakfast Briefings for Business Leaders a huge success! If you’re interested in reading Dr. Katharine Stevens’ report or referencing her presentation, you can access both resources here.

We aim “to set [children’s] feet upon surer paths to health and well-being and happiness… Let no one believe that these are questions which should not stir a nation; that they are below the dignity of statesmen or governments. If we could have but one generation of properly born, trained, educated, and healthy children, a thousand other problems of government would vanish.” -President Herbert Hoover This week, Groundwork Ohio, along with PNC, PRE4CLE, Invest in Children, United Way of Summit County, and Summit Education Initiative, convened business leaders from Northeast Ohio to discuss the importance of early childhood education at our Breakfast Briefings in Cleveland and Akron. Katharine Stevens, Resident Scholar of Education Policy at the American Enterprise Institute, joined us once again to share her insights on early childhood education policy for our state. Her report, Workforce of Today, Workforce of Tomorrow: The Business Case for High-Quality Childcare published by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, outlines the multigenerational impact quality childcare can have on our economy. Stevens laid out the state of early childhood education in Ohio and outlined the ways we can improve child care and education (check out some of her presentation highlights below). The Breakfast Briefings concluded with a call to action for our business leaders and child advocates to work together and ensure Ohio kids are given a foundation for lifelong success. In order to focus these efforts, Groundwork Ohio and the Ohio Children's Hospital Association (OCHA) formally launched the Vote for Ohio Kids Campaign earlier this week. Vote for Ohio Kids is an effort dedicated to ensuring all 2018 gubernatorial candidates commit to making early childhood education and healthcare a top priority. As the campaign gains momentum, we are coalescing business, healthcare, and education leaders as well as child advocates to elevate these issues. To learn more about the campaign and join the coalition, visit VoteforOhioKids.org . Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay updated on the campaign! Workforce of Today, Workforce of Tomorrow Presentation Highlights

This past week, Michael Douglas of the Akron Beacon Journal highlighted one of the ways Ohio’s next governor will need to “step up to the plate” for Ohio kids . Among many daunting tasks, the next governor will inherit the state’s goal that 65% of the workforce will have a college degree or post-secondary certification by 2025 in order to match the increasing demand for higher levels of attainment. Ohio cannot afford to fall behind and the incoming governor will have to decide how to strategically invest in the state’s human capital to ensure that all Ohioans can continue to thrive. There is no easy fix to this problem, but thorough research over the past several decades offers one investment that can produce the outcomes Ohio desperately needs: high-quality early childhood experiences. As Groundwork’s own Executive Director Shannon Jones testified at last month’s Senate Education Committee hearing, early childhood education plays a crucial role in ensuring that Ohio’s kids have the proper foundation to succeed later in life. The current skills gap experienced by kids in both urban and rural communities prevents our most at-risk kids from reaching levels of attainment that will be most beneficial to them, and to the state as a whole. The foundation for skill development is established in the earliest years with 90% of brain development occurring between birth and age five. Not only do investments in early childhood align appropriately with brain science, human development, and working family needs, but this alignment provides the best returns on public investment . High-quality birth-to-five programs for disadvantaged children can deliver a 13% per year return on investment. As Ohio’s next governor strategically plans to meet Ohio’s 2025 attainment goal, it is essential that early childhood investments play a crucial role in meeting the needs of working families in Ohio and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the state’s workforce. Click here to learn more about Ohio’s 2025 Attainment Goal. From the Groundwork family to yours, we wish you a very happy President's Day weekend! This weekend, we will be remembering our nation's long history of leaders who have fought to make our country a better place--especially for our youngest citizens.

This week, ten Ohioans officially declared their candidacy to be Ohio's next governor. Groundwork has already reached out to each of them to share our updated Gubernatorial Reference Manual , which includes a thorough overview of early childhood development, the case for investing in early care and education, and ways Ohio can support our most vulnerable kids. As candidates solidify their policy platforms, we encourage you to check out the manual and express your support of Ohio's early childhood initiatives with each of them. A full list of filed candidates can be found on our website here . Groundwork is committed to elevating the conversation around early childhood development and educating the candidates on this important topic. Be sure to check out our Vote for Ohio Kids page regularly and join us as we engage with all of those who wish to lead our great state. Update: Big Wins for Ohio Kids! We did it! In the early hours of this morning, the U.S. Senate and House passed a budget bill that was later signed by the president. The bill included several wins for Ohio kids including: MIECHV is Re-authorization: The budget agreement included a five-year extension of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. This means that at-risk parents can continue to work with voluntary home visiting providers to become their baby’s best teacher and caregiver in 27 Ohio communities across the state and that additional state investments in Ohio evidenced-based home visiting will be supported. Increased Funding for the CCDGB: The budget also includes a historic $5.8 billion increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) over two years. This amount, which doubles current discretionary funding, would expand child care assistance to nearly 230,000. Thank you to everyone who has worked tirelessly over the past days and weeks to ensure that these worthy programs, among others, were protected in the bill. A special thanks to Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) who have been vocal supporters of these programs. In addition to the big wins on Capitol Hill, Ohio's own statewide Kindergarten Readiness Assessment was preserved due to an amendment to SB 2016 offered by the bill's sponsor, Senator Matt Huffman (R-Lima). Groundwork has been a leader in preserving a statewide kindergarten readiness assessment. We appreciate the hard work of Senator Huffman and the chairwoman, Senator Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering), in listening to our concerns and for being committed to working with all stakeholders to continually improve this important assessment. Have you seen this report on Ohio's workforce crisis? Groundwork Ohio was pleased to work in collaboration with a team of cradle-to-career initiatives, college access organizations, and educational groups to bring attention to Ohio's need to improve attainment statewide. Ensuring Ohio Can Compete: Meeting Ohio's 2025 Attainment Goal.

Groundwork Team, We are happy to share in celebrating good news for Ohio’s youngest children in both federal and state policy arenas that we have been actively engaged in since the Fall of 2017, including regular communication with our Ohio congressional delegation and the Ohio state legislature. Our advocacy and the coordinated efforts of our national and state leaders have been critical to ensuring the well-being of our youngest children. Today, we thank you for your continued commitment to Ohio kids and for your support in achieving the following wins for Ohio kids: MIECHV is Reauthorized : The Senate’s bipartisan budget agreement announced today included a five-year extension of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. This means that at-risk parents can continue to work with voluntary home visiting providers to become their baby’s best teacher and caregiver in 27 Ohio communities across the state and that additional state investments in Ohio evidenced-based home visiting will be supported. Ohio utilizes a portion of MIECHV funds for research, evaluation and professional development. A 5 year reauthorization with stable funding over time allows for innovation as we continue to become even more effective in reaching our most at-risk babies and parents. To read Groundwork’s most recent communication sent to Senator Portman and Senator Brown yesterday, calling for MIECVH reauthorization, click here . Increased Funding for the CCDGB : The Senate’s bipartisan budget agreement also includes a historic $5.8 billion increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) over two years. This amount, which doubles current discretionary funding, would expand child care assistance to nearly 230,000. One of our national partners in this work, CLASP, estimates that 7,640 additional Ohio children will now have access to child care assistance. This hard-fought victory is a chance to realize the opportunities included in the 2014 reauthorization of CCDBG to improve the quality of child care for our most vulnerable children. Groundwork applauds this effort that elevates the importance of child care assistance for working families. To read Groundwork’s most recent communication to the Ohio delegation sent January 30th calling for increased CCDBG funding, click here . Statewide Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Preserved : During the 6th hearing on the Ohio Public School Deregulation Act (SB 216) this afternoon before the Ohio Senate Education Committee, the bill sponsor, Senator Matt Huffman (R-Lima), offered amendment 132-1270 which removes proposed changes to the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) from the bill. The sponsor noted that there is currently a group of stakeholders discussing the KRA and the consideration of changes would be premature. No objections to the amendment were made and it was entered into the bill. Groundwork has been a leader in preserving a statewide kindergarten readiness assessment. During deliberations over SB 216 over the past four months, we have shared the concern that decisions concerning the administration of a statewide kindergarten readiness assessment require additional time and consideration among a wide group of stakeholders. We appreciate the hard work of the bill sponsor, Senator Matt Huffman, and the chairwoman, Senator Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering), in listening to our concerns and are committed to working with all stakeholders to continually improve this important assessment. To read Groundwork Ohio’s most recent testimony on SB 216, please click here . It is no surprise that much work remains to be done. While we are grateful for the leadership of Ohio's Senators, Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), in prioritizing kids during the budget process, the House and Senate now must come to an agreement and pass a spending bill by the end of Thursday in order to keep the government open . Similarly, we continue to engage with stakeholders on Ohio's Kindergarten Readiness Assessment as SB 216 moves through the state legislative process. Thank you for all you have done to contribute to these important efforts--we know many people have been engaged in this work for a long time. We will keep you posted as progress continues! Warm personal regards, Shannon Jones Executive Director Groundwork Ohio

Groundwork Team, This week, we announced the official launch of our Ohio Early Childhood Race and Rural Equity project, funded by a half a million dollar grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation over the next two years. The project will include a thorough analysis of current statewide equity metrics and a series of community-facing events to share data and solicit responses, learnings and best practices from local stakeholders. Currently, analysis shows us that only 40% of Ohio children enter Kindergarten ready to learn. However, a deeper analysis shows us that a mere 23.9% of black students and 23% of Hispanic students enter Kindergarten ready to learn. These disparities remain even when controlling for poverty. As we begin to explore this gap, it is indisputable that some kids are getting left behind more often than others. By measuring equity and raising awareness around the problem, we can begin to close these gaps so that all children, regardless of race and geography, have a promising future. We look forward to updating you as the project progresses! Warm personal regards, Shannon Jones Executive Director Groundwork Ohio P.S. Click here to read the full press release Laying the Groundwork for Higher Attainment With only 40% of Ohio kindergartners entering the classroom ready to learn, it is not surprising that only 43% of Ohio’s workforce has a degree or credential necessary for the jobs available today. In two short years, it’s estimated that 65% of the jobs will require more than a high school diploma. Ohio is facing a workforce crisis and state investment in high-quality early childhood education is a necessary first step to creating a successful workforce of tomorrow. To further elevate this issue, Groundwork took the lead on the early childhood education portion of a data walk at the statehouse this week, Ensuring Ohio Can Compete: Meeting Ohio's 2025 Attainment Goal. Nearly 300 legislators, education advocates, and business leaders joined together to stress the importance of addressing Ohio's workforce crisis by increasing accessibility and quality of education for Ohio kids. After the data walk, Shannon Jones, Executive Director of Groundwork Ohio, presented testimony to the Senate Education Committee. The evidence is clear: brains are built, not born. Infants and toddlers who do not have access to high-quality learning environments will likely enter kindergarten unprepared to learn. We need to make investments much earlier than our formal compulsory K-12 system recognizes in order to address the needs of our most at-risk kids. Graduates of early childhood program show greater educational gains as adults The Economic Relevance of Early Development Quantifying the Life-cycle Benefits of a Prototypical Early Childhood Program

Groundwork Ohio is pleased to announce it has received a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) of Battle Creek, Michigan to complete a comprehensive data and communications project that examines outcomes from birth through career readiness with a special focus on racial and rural inequities impacting Ohio’s children. WKKF is a leader in supporting both early childhood education and racial equity. The Ohio Early Childhood Race and Rural Equity project is funded by a half a million dollar grant from the Foundation to begin January of 2018 through December of 2020. Currently, analysis shows us that only 40% of Ohio children enter Kindergarten ready to learn. However, a deeper analysis shows us that a mere 23.9% of black students and 23% of Hispanic students enter Kindergarten ready to learn. These disparities remain even when controlling for poverty. “Because we know that Kindergarten readiness predicts future education and career success, these numbers are an urgent problem for Ohio’s future economic prosperity,” said Shannon Jones, Executive Director of Groundwork Ohio. “Only 43% of the Ohio adult workforce have a credential or degree leading to meaningful employment, despite the fact that by 2020, 65% of all jobs will require education beyond a high school diploma. As we begin to explore this gap, it is indisputable that some kids are getting left behind more often than others,” said Jones. Click here to read the full press release.

“Early childhood is the bedrock of human capital. The essential skills that we’ll use later in life are dependent upon a strong groundwork being laid early." - Dr. Katharine Stevens This week, Groundwork Ohio hosted Breakfast Briefings for Business Leaders in Dayton and Cincinnati. These briefings were centered around the important work of Dr. Katharine Stevens, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute who has earned a Ph.D. in education policy from Columbia University, a M.Ed. from Teachers College, an MBA from Columbia Business School, and a B.A. in US history from the University of Chicago. Dr. Stevens' most recent publication, " Workforce of Today, Workforce of Tomorrow ," outlines the business case for quality early childcare and education. Business leaders from Cincinnati and Dayton came together this week to talk about the importance of recognizing quality early childhood education as an investment in Ohio's future workforce. As Dr. Stevens aptly pointed out, the workforce of today needs childcare and the workforce of tomorrow is in childcare--and our business community can take the first step in making quality early childhood education a priority in Ohio. Groundwork wants to extend a big thank you to our partners in Cincinnati (United Way of Greater Cincinnati (Success By 6), Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Clermont Chamber of Commerce, Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and Cincinnati Business Committee) and Dayton (Learn to Earn Dayton, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, and Dayton Preschool Promise) for helping make these events a success! Follow Groundwork's continued mobilization of Ohio's business community in the coming months by keeping up with our newsletter and following us on Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram . Ohio’s goal is that by 2025, 65% of all working-age adults will have a degree or credential. Currently, just 44% of Ohioans have a 2- or 4-year degree or a work-related certificate. Join us for a day focused on raising educational attainment to ensure Ohio can compete. Speakers will include Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof, State Senator Peggy Lehner, Chair of the Ohio Senate Education Committee, Jim Tressel, President, Youngstown State University, and Eric Hanushek, Stanford University economist. After the event, Sen. Lehner will chair a Senate Education Committee hearing on "Connecting the Dots from Cradle-to-Career" where Groundwork Executive Director Shannon Jones will testify along with other business and community leaders. Click here for more details. Click here to join the waiting list for the event. The Social Determinants of Infant Mortality This week, Groundwork Ohio Executive Director Shannon Jones spoke about the social determinants of infant mortality at the Ohio Conference of Community Development. Ohio's rates of infant mortality are significantly higher than the national average, despite increased awareness surrounding the issue over the past several years. Shannon highlighted the work Ohio has done to try to reduce infant mortality and how social determinants, like housing, play a key role. Click the link below to learn more in HPIO’s report on infant mortality and social determinants. A new approach to reduce infant mortality and achieve equity: Policy recommendations to improve housing, transportation, education and employment

Dear Groundwork Team: I am happy to welcome Julia Hohner as Groundwork Ohio's new Communications and Policy Associate. Although Julia only started as a full-time staff member last week, she isn't new to Groundwork. This past summer, Julia spent six weeks as an intern at Groundwork where she volunteered at advocacy day and assisted in grant research, the development of a streamlined social media plan, and the creation of the Governor’s Reference Manual. Before starting full-time at Groundwork, Julia worked as a graduate assistant in John Carroll University’s Center for Service and Social Action where she managing several service-learning programs. Prior to her time at John Carroll, Julia worked as a Retreat Associate at CrossRoads Ministry, an urban justice-based retreat center in Louisville, Kentucky. Julia has a B.S. from John Carroll University and will be completing a M.A. in Nonprofit Administration this coming June. We are happy to have her on the Groundwork team! Shannon Jones Executive Director As an extension of the Health Policy Institute of Ohio's third policy briefing on the connections between education and health, "The importance of early learning," two new fact sheet were released this week: "Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports" and "Suspensions and expulsions among young children" . These fact sheets outline critical factors in promoting quality early learning in Ohio and give recommendations for continued improvement. The Ohio Department of Education has launched a new digital resource for parents and educators! The INFOhio Early Learning Portal provides a variety of websites and apps that have been tested and approved by early learning and literacy experts. The portal aims to help kids aged 3-5 prepare for school and their future during this critical early learning period. Access the portal here. Ohio’s goal is that by 2025, 65% of all working-age adults will have a degree or credential. Currently, just 44% of Ohioans have a 2- or 4-year degree or a work-related certificate. Join us for a day focused on raising educational attainment to ensure Ohio can compete. Speakers will include State Sen. Peggy Lehner, Chair of the Ohio Senate Education Committee, Jim Tressel, President, Youngstown State University, and Eric Hanushek, Stanford University economist. After the event, Sen. Lehner will chair a Senate Education Committee hearing on "Connecting the Dots from Cradle-to-Career" where Groundwork Executive Director Shannon Jones will testify along with other business and community leaders. Click here to register for the event.

This week, Groundwork Ohio presented to a joint meeting of United Way of Summit County's executive and public policy committees. United Way of Summit County's bold goals, which include ensuring that 65% of Akron Public Schools third-graders are reading at or above grade level and increasing the 4-year high school graduation rate for Akron Public Schools to 90% with 60% college/career ready, are closely linked to the proven outcomes of providing quality early childhood education. Groundwork shared its 2018 strategies and offered its expertise in the field of early childhood education to support United Way of Summit County's bold goals and to create a meaningful relationship between the two organizations. MIECHV is a cornerstone of evidence-based public policy with bipartisan support that provides funding for states, territories, and tribal entities—including Ohio—to develop and implement voluntary, evidence-based home visiting programs that improve outcomes for at-risk children and families. Learn more here. Ohio’s goal is that by 2025, 65% of all working-age adults will have a degree or credential. Currently, just 44% of Ohioans have a 2- or 4-year degree or a work-related certificate. Join us for a day focused on raising educational attainment to ensure Ohio can compete. Speakers will include State Sen. Peggy Lehner, Chair of the Ohio Senate Education Committee, Jim Tressel, President, Youngstown State University, and Eric Hanushek, Stanford University economist. After the event, Sen. Lehner will chair a Senate Education Committee hearing on "Connecting the Dots from Cradle-to-Career" where Groundwork Executive Director Shannon Jones will testify along with other business and community leaders. Click here to register for the event. Ohio Business Leaders, Did You Know... Only 40% of Ohio children enter kindergarten ready to learn? This results in only 43% of our adult workforce having a post-secondary degree or credential qualifying them for an available job. Learn why the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and our business community care about the indisputable connection between kindergarten readiness and career readiness by joining us at one of our Breakfast Briefings for Business Leaders. Click here to learn more and register.

Each month, Groundwork Ohio reads the latest and greatest resources on early education and health from a wide variety of sources. Below is a compilation of the most important articles we have read throughout May 2022. OH IO NEWS The Columbus Dispatch Ohio asks for federal help on infant formula shortage for 61K low-income babies Groundwork Ohio Strength, Hope, Love: Celebrating Ohio Communities, Families, and Young Children Hundreds of Ohioans Gather at Statehouse to Celebrate Families with Young Children NATIONAL NEWS American Heart Association What expectant moms need to know about mental health during and after pregnancy BizWomen Child care benefits key to bringing women back to the workforce CBS New York U.S. Health Department launching maternal mental health hotline for new and expecting moms CNN The United States is in a maternal health crisis, Goldman Sachs wants to change that The Guardian ‘Birthing while Black’ is a national crisis for the US. Here’s what Black lawmakers want to do about it The Hechinger Report More employers offering child care benefits to lower-wage workers The Hill Opinion: The US routinely fails its babies — Here’s how to fight for their future The New York Times Opinion: Pre-K is Powerful When Done Right. Here’s How. Child care benefits could help ease the worker crunch, an advocacy campaign says. NPR The case for revolutionizing child care in America POLITICO Senate Democrats shop revamped child care reconciliation proposal US News & World Report Child Care Industry Struggling Two Years Into the Pandemic USA Today Hundreds of day cares are closed today as educators go on strike. Here's why Vox Why baby formula is in short supply — and who is most at risk The Washington Post Rise in perinatal and postpartum depression needs to be tackled Yahoo News Why Is the Maternal Mortality Rate Rising in America? #ECE #WhatWeRead #May2022 #InTheNews