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This week, Groundwork Ohio hosted a leadership training for the Ohio Department of Health's Ohio Equity Institute (OEI) teams on how policy and practice can improve social determinants of health in communities across the state. OEI teams are tasked with developing upstream strategies specific to their communities that positively impact women and reduce infant mortality rates. During the training, the teams participated in hands-on exercises that challenged them to think critically about the barriers women in their community face and develop specific strategies to address those barriers. Teams also had an opportunity to hear from a panel of leading experts on the social determinants of health and benefit from technical assistance as they work to implement their action plans. We are excited to see how OEI teams apply the tools and expertise gained during the training to lift up the women and children in their communities! Interested in learning more about trainings provided by Groundwork Ohio? Contact us . Join the largest and fastest-growing network of programs serving children in need. First Book and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) are supporting educators in the region who serve kids in need by creating access to affordable and free books and resources--everything from new, relevant books to free educator resources, school supplies, technology, winter coats and socks. Sign up for immediate, ongoing access to new books and resources. Registration is always free! Register now . Who can join First Book? Anyone touching the lives of children and families in low-income communities should sign up now... schools, early childhood programs, military family support programs, shelters, clinics, libraries, and more are encouraged to join! (Not sure if you're eligible? Check here .) For a limited time, you can also use this coupon for $25 off books from the Marketplace and Book Bank! Learn More FAO is also providing Social-Emotional Learning Book Kits to schools throughout Appalachian Ohio. The Kit includes six books that address social-emotional learning themes that are relevant to elementary school students and represent 1st-3rd reading and content levels, though some of the books include Kindergarten in their target age range. The books come with reading guides that teachers can use in their classrooms as they guide their students through the books. It also includes a trauma-informed toolkit, a resource developed by First Book in response to the demand from classroom educators for strategies they can use to address student trauma in their classrooms. Educators and service providers interested in accessing the free book series may contact FAO at 740.753.1111 or info@ffao.org. Join the Groundwork Team... We're Hiring! Interested in joining our awesome team? Groundwork is seeking a full-time Policy Associate to support our statewide effort to ensure that every child has the best chance for lifelong success. Check out the full job description here . Please submit a resume and cover letter for consideration to lwolf@groundworkohio.org. Additional writing sample and professional references may be requested after an initial review of the application. All applicants will get written notification via email of whether or not they will be invited to an interview. Upcoming Event: An Equitable Start for Children The United Way of Greater Cincinnati knows that although most children are given the same starting point in life, ultimately their lived experiences determine their opportunity to succeed. United Way Success By 6®, with partners like you, helps to bridge the gap to ensure that every child gets a stronger start to a successful future. Join United Way on November 12 at Xavier University to: Broaden your understanding of how inequities show up in early childhood with a panel featuring local and state (OH & KY) experts Learn more about the future direction of United Way Success By 6® and how our work must change together to ensure an equitable start for children Make connections and be inspired by the collective power of your partnership with United Way Success By 6® Breakfast and free parking provided. Questions? Contact Carol.Hilliard@uwgc.org. The Groundwork staff hopes to see you there! Register Now The Administration for Children and Families Wants YOUR Input This week, the Administration for Children and Families posted a request for information on improving access to affordable, high-quality child care in the US. We encourage you to share your experience, expertise, and knowledge of the challenges in your communities to help inform future action by ACF and work toward improving our child care system for Ohio's children and families. Improving Access to Affordable, High-Quality Child Care As part of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) commitment to supporting working families and promoting the healthy development and well-being of children, ACF is seeking input from the public and interested stakeholders on strategies to improve access to high quality, affordable child care in the U.S. Child care is one of the biggest expenses a family faces and can be a barrier to work. The average cost of center-based infant child care in 28 states is more than college tuition. At the same time, child care settings are a place of learning and education for children from the time they are infants and toddlers through their school-age years. Access to high-quality learning opportunities lays the foundation for children’s development and, ultimately, their success in school and in life. Unfortunately, many families do not have access to the affordable, high-quality child care their children need. This Request for Information seeks public comment on: Identifying emerging and innovative practices to improve access to high-quality child care Identifying regulatory and other policies that unnecessarily drive up the cost of care or limit parents’ choice of different child care options Identifying ways to improve funding of child care and other related early education programs to support quality and create a more streamlined, equitable, and sustainable financing framework for future generations. Information collected through this request may be used by ACF in the development of future rulemaking and technical assistance, formation of legislative proposals and research agendas, and/or strategic planning. Comments can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal here by December 2, 2019. Two Weeks Left to Apply for the Groundwork Advisory Committee Groundwork Ohio is seeking applications for our 2020-2021 Advisory Committee. Members of the Advisory Committee are trusted to provide insights on the needs of young children and families in Ohio and advance Groundwork’s mission to champion high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies. We are committed to ensuring committee membership reflects the diversity of race, geography, gender, age, experience, expertise, and more that exists within Ohio’s child-serving systems. Members of the Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee: Provide valuable field input and expertise to help inform Groundwork’s understanding of policy implications Serve as a resource for Groundwork research projects and advocacy efforts based on field and systems experience in the early childhood sector Support Groundwork by promoting engagement opportunities, attending events, and facilitating connections with other child advocates Participate in quarterly in-person meetings Contribute organizational time and resources to Groundwork and support efforts to advance our mission. We hope you will consider applying to serve on the Advisory Committee and share your valuable insights with our team! Applications are due by November 1, 2019. Apply now.

A qualified early educator—one who knows how to create a dynamic learning environment—is at the center of a high-quality early learning experience. Critical economic and societal benefits of a quality early childhood are determined by the long-term development of a trained and supported workforce. Only the most effective educators and staff can ensure that the littlest learners in their care have the early experiences they need to succeed in school, graduate on time, and thrive later in life. On average, early educators earn a wage of about $9.86 per hour—putting them toward the bottom of the wage-earning percentile across all occupations, which leads to high rates of employee turnover. When early educators leave, it disrupts the consistent, nurturing environment that developing children need to thrive. Employers are also left with the additional economic burden of constantly recruiting and training new staff members to ensure safe learning environments. By providing necessary supports for the wellbeing and financial stability of the early education workforce, retention rates increase, child outcomes improve, and the whole state benefits. As Groundwork embarks on more extensive data collection and grassroots mobilization with early educators, we look forward to sharing additional information and opportunities with you... stay tuned! Access the full fact sheet. Weren't able to join us for our Early Childhood Mental Health webinar series? Access the slideshows and recordings of the webinars on our website! Access the Recorded Webinars Join the Groundwork Team... We're Hiring! Interested in joining our awesome team? Groundwork is seeking a full-time Policy Associate to support our statewide effort to ensure that every child has the best chance for lifelong success. Check out the full job description here . Please submit a resume and cover letter for consideration to lwolf@groundworkohio.org. Additional writing sample and professional references may be requested after an initial review of the application. All applicants will get written notification via email of whether or not they will be invited to an interview. Upcoming Event: An Equitable Start for Children The United Way of Greater Cincinnati knows that although most children are given the same starting point in life, ultimately their lived experiences determine their opportunity to succeed. United Way Success By 6®, with partners like you, helps to bridge the gap to ensure that every child gets a stronger start to a successful future. Join United Way on November 12 at Xavier University to: Broaden your understanding of how inequities show up in early childhood with a panel featuring local and state (OH & KY) experts Learn more about the future direction of United Way Success By 6® and how our work must change together to ensure an equitable start for children Make connections and be inspired by the collective power of your partnership with United Way Success By 6® Breakfast and free parking provided. Questions? Contact Carol.Hilliard@uwgc.org. The Groundwork staff hopes to see you there! Register Now The Administration for Children and Families Wants YOUR Input This week, the Administration for Children and Families posted a request for information on improving access to affordable, high-quality child care in the US. We encourage you to share your experience, expertise, and knowledge of the challenges in your communities to help inform future action by ACF and work toward improving our child care system for Ohio's children and families. Improving Access to Affordable, High-Quality Child Care As part of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) commitment to supporting working families and promoting the healthy development and well-being of children, ACF is seeking input from the public and interested stakeholders on strategies to improve access to high quality, affordable child care in the U.S. Child care is one of the biggest expenses a family faces and can be a barrier to work. The average cost of center-based infant child care in 28 states is more than college tuition. At the same time, child care settings are a place of learning and education for children from the time they are infants and toddlers through their school-age years. Access to high-quality learning opportunities lays the foundation for children’s development and, ultimately, their success in school and in life. Unfortunately, many families do not have access to the affordable, high-quality child care their children need. This Request for Information seeks public comment on: Identifying emerging and innovative practices to improve access to high-quality child care Identifying regulatory and other policies that unnecessarily drive up the cost of care or limit parents’ choice of different child care options Identifying ways to improve funding of child care and other related early education programs to support quality and create a more streamlined, equitable, and sustainable financing framework for future generations. Information collected through this request may be used by ACF in the development of future rulemaking and technical assistance, formation of legislative proposals and research agendas, and/or strategic planning. Comments can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal here by December 2, 2019. Join the Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee Groundwork Ohio is seeking applications for our 2020-2021 Advisory Committee. Members of the Advisory Committee are trusted to provide insights on the needs of young children and families in Ohio and advance Groundwork’s mission to champion high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies. We are committed to ensuring committee membership reflects the diversity of race, geography, gender, age, experience, expertise, and more that exists within Ohio’s child-serving systems. Members of the Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee: Provide valuable field input and expertise to help inform Groundwork’s understanding of policy implications Serve as a resource for Groundwork research projects and advocacy efforts based on field and systems experience in the early childhood sector Support Groundwork by promoting engagement opportunities, attending events, and facilitating connections with other child advocates Participate in quarterly in-person meetings Contribute organizational time and resources to Groundwork and support efforts to advance our mission. We hope you will consider applying to serve on the Advisory Committee and share your valuable insights with our team! Applications are due by November 1, 2019. Apply now.

This week, the Administration for Children and Families posted a request for information on improving access to affordable, high-quality child care in the US. We encourage you to share your experience, expertise, and knowledge of the challenges in your communities to help inform future action by ACF and work toward improving our child care system for Ohio's children and families. Improving Access to Affordable, High-Quality Child Care As part of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) commitment to supporting working families and promoting the healthy development and well-being of children, ACF is seeking input from the public and interested stakeholders on strategies to improve access to high quality, affordable child care in the U.S. Child care is one of the biggest expenses a family faces and can be a barrier to work. The average cost of center-based infant child care in 28 states is more than college tuition. At the same time, child care settings are a place of learning and education for children from the time they are infants and toddlers through their school-age years. Access to high-quality learning opportunities lays the foundation for children’s development and, ultimately, their success in school and in life. Unfortunately, many families do not have access to the affordable, high-quality child care their children need. This Request for Information seeks public comment on: Identifying emerging and innovative practices to improve access to high-quality child care Identifying regulatory and other policies that unnecessarily drive up the cost of care or limit parents’ choice of different child care options Identifying ways to improve funding of child care and other related early education programs to support quality and create a more streamlined, equitable, and sustainable financing framework for future generations. Information collected through this request may be used by ACF in the development of future rulemaking and technical assistance, formation of legislative proposals and research agendas, and/or strategic planning. Comments can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal here by December 2, 2019. Groundwork is hosting a webinar series this fall focused on Early Childhood Mental Health. Join us to learn more about early childhood mental health and expand your understanding of your role in elevating this critical work! The third webinar of the series, "Ohio Early Childhood Mental Health: Perspectives from the Field," will be held this Wednesday, October 9, 2019 from 1-2 PM with the Ohio Association for Infant Mental Health. Register Here Weren't able to join us for the first two webinars of the series on Developmental Milestones and Public Policy? Access the slideshows and recordings of the webinars on our website! Access the Recorded Webinars Join the Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee Groundwork Ohio is seeking applications for our 2020-2021 Advisory Committee. Members of the Advisory Committee are trusted to provide insights on the needs of young children and families in Ohio and advance Groundwork’s mission to champion high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies. We are committed to ensuring committee membership reflects the diversity of race, geography, gender, age, experience, expertise, and more that exists within Ohio’s child-serving systems. Members of the Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee: Provide valuable field input and expertise to help inform Groundwork’s understanding of policy implications Serve as a resource for Groundwork research projects and advocacy efforts based on field and systems experience in the early childhood sector Support Groundwork by promoting engagement opportunities, attending events, and facilitating connections with other child advocates Participate in quarterly in-person meetings Contribute organizational time and resources to Groundwork and support efforts to advance our mission. We hope you will consider applying to serve on the Advisory Committee and share your valuable insights with our team! Applications are due by November 1, 2019. Apply now. Groundwork Team Dives In at ZERO TO THREE Annual Conference The Groundwork staff traveled down to sunny Florida this week to participate in ZERO TO THREE's annual conference and dive into the vast and ever-expanding world of early childhood development. We've spent two days with experts from around the country in early childhood policy and advocacy and are looking forward to spending today networking, soaking in information, and sharing our own experience integrating equity into early childhood advocacy here in Ohio! State Initiatives to Increase Child Lead Screenings Groundwork Ohio’s Policy Associate Vanessa Butler moderated a session on “State Initiatives to Increase Child Lead Screenings” at the 2019 Ohio Healthy Homes Network Fall Forum, featuring a presentation from Chris Alexander, Health Planning Administrator of the Ohio Department of Health. Learn more about the impact of lead poisoning on young children. "Segregated from the Start" A new study released this week from the Urban Institute found that infants and toddlers participating in early childhood education face far more racial and ethnic segregation in their classrooms than children participating in kindergarten and first grade classrooms. The study explains that early childhood classrooms are twice as likely to be 100 percent black or Hispanic and have greater participation by black children than other racial and ethnic groups. Additionally, the study found that among all of the various types of early childhood education programs, home-based programs are 30 percent more likely to be segregated than center-based programs. The results of the study demonstrate that in order to achieve quality and equity, early childhood programs must begin with ensuring classrooms are racially and ethnically diverse. Access the full report.

This week, Groundwork staff and stakeholders had the opportunity to participate in three incredible convenings with child advocates from other states and early childhood experts across the nation. National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers Convening As Groundwork continues planning for a strategic initiative to increase access to high-quality, evidence-based interventions for Ohio's most at-risk babies and toddlers, we are supported by the Pritzker Children's Initiative and the BUILD Initiative through the National Collaboration of Infants and Toddlers. This week in Atlanta, GA, Groundwork Ohio Executive Director, Shannon Jones, and Policy Director and Legal Counsel, Lynanne Gutierrez, were joined by an Ohio state team including a local early childhood collaborative leader, statewide mental health and addiction advocate, pediatrician, statewide disability advocate, and representatives from the Ohio Department of Medicaid and the Governor's Office of Children's Initiatives. Ohio shared experiences and best practices with other states planning a prenatal-to-three initiative and had access to national Medicaid experts to explore how Medicaid and managed care procurement could advance a vision for young children. Elevating State Policies For and With the Early Education Profession: Taking Stock, Moving Forward The Alliance for Early Success convened more than 200 people from 24 states for its Early Childhood Workforce Conference in Milwaukee, WI. This conference brought individuals from more than 20 national organizations and included more than 50 early educators! Groundwork Policy Associate, Vanessa Butler, was joined by Senator Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard); Misti Norman, Director and Owner of Heavenly Kids Center for Learning, a five-star quality rated child care facility in Columbus; and Leshia Lyman, Vice President of Success By 6 and Area Communities for United Way of Greater Cincinnati. The Ohio team had the opportunity to learn from other states and national organizations including Child Care Aware and Bipartisan Policy Center, who facilitated the team's strategic planning to elevate the Ohio early childhood workforce. 2019 Regional Grassroots Assembly for Child Care & Early Education Groundwork Ohio Policy Associate, Julia Jackels, attended the Grassroots Movement for Child Care and Early Education Regional Assembly in Detroit, MI this week. The Assembly provided an opportunity for parents, grandparents, caregivers, educators, advocates, mental health providers, and other early childhood stakeholders to share personal experiences and explore issues impacting their communities. A product of this year's Assembly included a call to action and policy strategy to be implemented and mobilized across the nation. We are excited to bring everything we learned this week back to Ohio and are grateful to have such strong leaders inside and outside of state government to help us advance systems and policies that transform outcomes for young children in our state. Groundwork is Hosting a Fall Webinar Series on Early Childhood Mental Health Groundwork is hosting a webinar series this fall focused on Early Childhood Mental Health. Join us to learn more about early childhood mental health and expand your understanding of your role in elevating this critical work! The third webinar of the series, "Ohio Early Childhood Mental Health: Perspective from the Field," will be held on October 9, 2019 from 1-2 PM with the Ohio Association for Infant Mental Health. Register Here Join the Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee Groundwork Ohio is seeking applications for our 2020-2021 Advisory Committee. Members of the Advisory Committee are trusted to provide insights on the needs of young children and families in Ohio and advance Groundwork’s mission to champion high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies. We are committed to ensuring committee membership reflects the diversity of race, geography, gender, age, experience, expertise, and more that exists within Ohio’s child-serving systems. Members of the Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee: Provide valuable field input and expertise to help inform Groundwork’s understanding of policy implications Serve as a resource for Groundwork research projects and advocacy efforts based on field and systems experience in the early childhood sector Support Groundwork by promoting engagement opportunities, attending events, and facilitating connections with other child advocates Participate in quarterly in-person meetings Contribute organizational time and resources to Groundwork and support efforts to advance our mission. We hope you will consider applying to serve on the Advisory Committee and share your valuable insights with our team! Applications are due by November 1, 2019. Apply now. Share Your Insights with the Governor's Office of Workforce Transformation Earlier this month, the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation (OWT), headed by Lt. Governor Jon Husted, released an In-Demand Jobs survey, which will be used to direct the state’s workforce development efforts in the coming years. This is a great opportunity to advance conversations on the state-level around supporting those working in the early learning and development space and we urge you to complete the survey and to share it with friends and colleagues in the field. With a large groundswell of participation from employers of Ohio's early education workforce, we can make workforce development efforts in the early learning and development space a top priority for the OWT moving forward. The survey only takes a few minutes to complete and requires: Your organization's federal EIN (survey can be completed once for each EIN) The positions you’ll be hiring for in the coming years ( access early education workforce codes here before starting the survey ) Forecast Area (statewide, region, or county—you can select multiple forecast areas if necessary) The number of employees you’ll be hiring in each position over the next five years. Minimum education level Desired level of experience Required credentials Required skills You’ll be asked to fill out a separate section for each type of position (e.g. director, lead teacher, assistant teacher, home visitor, etc.). The survey deadline is September 30, 2019. Complete the Survey Questions about completing the survey? Contact Vanessa Butler at VButler@GroundworkOhio.org. Ohio Department of Health Releases New Lead Hazard Removal Hotline The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has unveiled a new hotline to support those who are Medicaid eligible, pregnant, and/or have a child under 19 by connecting them to resources for home lead testing and removal. Please utilize this new hotline 1-877-532-3723 for assistance. Governor DeWine and Ohio Children's Hospital Association Hosts Pediatric Mental Health Summit Yesterday, Governor DeWine, in partnership with the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, hosted “Building Resiliency: A Pediatric Mental Health Summit." More than 700 people statewide attended the day-long event, where they were connected with experts and tools to help them identify and respond to trauma and support the mental health needs of children in their communities. Recordings of the live event will be available soon on www.OhioChannel.org.

The Ohio Department of Medicaid has been seeking feedback from stakeholders about their experience with managed care and ideas for improvement as they conduct managed care procurement. We believe the Department, through its agency leadership and the opportunity afforded by managed care plan procurement, is uniquely positioned to advance our state’s kids, families and communities by investing in the healthy development of Ohio’s most at-risk young children. But to do so effectively, the Department must focus with intensity on our youngest and most vulnerable moms and babies. Read and share our comments to learn about how we can leverage Medicaid to advance healthy early childhood development. Read Groundwork's Comments Groundwork is Hosting a Fall Webinar Series on Early Childhood Mental Health Groundwork is hosting a webinar series this month focused on Early Childhood Mental Health. Join us to learn more about early childhood mental health and expand your understanding of your role in elevating this critical work! The second webinar of the series, "Ohio Early Childhood Mental Health: A Policy Overview," will be held September 26, 2019 from 1-2 PM with presenter Cindy Oser. About the Presenter Join us for the Sept. 26 Webinar Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage and learn about Early Childhood Mental Health from Groundwork Ohio! Join the Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee Groundwork Ohio is seeking applications for our 2020-2021 Advisory Committee. Members of the Advisory Committee are trusted to provide insights on the needs of young children and families in Ohio and advance Groundwork’s mission to champion high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies. We are committed to ensuring committee membership reflects the diversity of race, geography, gender, age, experience, expertise, and more that exists within Ohio’s child-serving systems. Members of the Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee: Provide valuable field input and expertise to help inform Groundwork’s understanding of policy implications Serve as a resource for Groundwork research projects and advocacy efforts based on field and systems experience in the early childhood sector Support Groundwork by promoting engagement opportunities, attending events, and facilitating connections with other child advocates Participate in quarterly in-person meetings Contribute organizational time and resources to Groundwork and support efforts to advance our mission. We hope you will consider applying to serve on the Advisory Committee and share your valuable insights with our team! Applications are due by November 1, 2019. Apply now. Cleveland's PRE4CLE Celebrates its Fifth Year in Providing High-Quality Preschool! As part of Cleveland's plan to expand access to high-quality preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds, PRE4CLE is celebrating several wins, including increasing preschool enrollment by 72%, reaching more than 25,000 families, and obtaining $57 million in new state funding to support its great work. For a more in-depth overview of PRE4CLE's victories, click below. Learn More New Ohio Lead Advisory Committee Aimed to Develop Effective Abatement Responses Last Friday, Governor DeWine announced a new statewide Lead Advisory Committee , which will advise the state on lead poisoning prevention and abatement efforts. The creation of the advisory committee aligns with the state's priority of increasing lead abatement efforts and making homes safe for young children and families, especially in high-risk communities, and is supported by a $25 million investment. This investment includes: more than $4.8 million annually to advertise lead-free homes to families, base and remediate lead contamination, and demolish lead-blighted homes; $225,000 to increase the capacity of lead hazard control workers; and $5 million per year for a lead abatement tax credit for eligible individuals, allowing for an income tax credit of up to $10,000 for home lead abatement. Committee membership includes Marcia Egbert, Senior Program Officer for Human Services of The George Gund Foundation and member of Groundwork’s Steering Committee and Patricia Barnes, co-chair of the Ohio Lead Free Kids Coalition. Learn More

Earlier this month, the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation (OWT), headed by Lt. Governor Jon Husted, released an In-Demand Jobs survey, which will be used to direct the state’s workforce development efforts in the coming years. This is a great opportunity to advance conversations on the state-level around supporting those working in the early learning and development space and we urge you to complete the survey and to share it with friends and colleagues in the field. With a large groundswell of participation from employers of Ohio's early education workforce, we can make workforce development efforts in the early learning and development space a top priority for the OWT moving forward. The survey only takes a few minutes to complete and requires: Your organization's federal EIN (survey can be completed once for each EIN) The positions you’ll be hiring for in the coming years ( access early education workforce codes here before starting the survey ) Forecast Area (statewide, region, or county—you can select multiple forecast areas if necessary) The number of employees you’ll be hiring in each position over the next five years. Minimum education level Desired level of experience Required credentials Required skills You’ll be asked to fill out a separate section for each type of position (e.g. director, lead teacher, assistant teacher, home visitor, etc.). The survey deadline is September 30, 2019. Complete the Survey Questions about completing the survey? Contact Vanessa Butler at VButler@GroundworkOhio.org. Groundwork Ohio Announces Fall Webinar Series on Early Childhood Mental Health Groundwork is excited to host a new webinar series focused on Early Childhood Mental Health. Join us to learn more about early childhood mental health and expand your understanding of your role in elevating this critical work! The first webinar of the series, "Ohio Early Childhood Mental Health: What do developmental milestones tell us?" by the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI), will be held on September 19, 2019 from 1-2 PM. About the Presenters Join us for the Sept. 19 Webinar The second webinar, "Ohio Early Childhood Mental Health: A Policy Overview," will be held September 26, 2019 from 1-2 PM with presenter Cindy Oser. About the Presenter Join us for the Sept. 26 Webinar Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage and learn about Early Childhood Mental Health from Groundwork Ohio! Join the Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee Groundwork Ohio is seeking applications for our 2020-2021 Advisory Committee. Members of the Advisory Committee are trusted to provide insights on the needs of young children and families in Ohio and advance Groundwork’s mission to champion high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies. We are committed to ensuring committee membership reflects the diversity of race, geography, gender, age, experience, expertise, and more that exists within Ohio’s child-serving systems. Members of the Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee: Provide valuable field input and expertise to help inform Groundwork’s understanding of policy implications Serve as a resource for Groundwork research projects and advocacy efforts based on field and systems experience in the early childhood sector Support Groundwork by promoting engagement opportunities, attending events, and facilitating connections with other child advocates Participate in quarterly in-person meetings Contribute organizational time and resources to Groundwork and support efforts to advance our mission. We hope you will consider applying to serve on the Advisory Committee and share your valuable insights with our team! Applications are due by November 1, 2019. Apply now. Updates from Groundwork Partners We work closely with early learning and development organizations across the state who are dedicated to ensuring Ohio's young children get the strong start they need to succeed. Check out what some of our awesome partners are up to this month! Introducing Learning Grove On August 23rd, Cincinnati Early Learning Centers and Children, Inc. announced that they will merge and form a new agency, Learning Grove. The organizations hope to increase the impact they have in the region by serving more children, supporting more families, investing in our workforce and advocating for the success of every child. Learn more. No Small Matter Screening in Central Ohio Action for Children and South Side Early Learning have partnered to host a free screening of No Small Matter, a documentary that shares powerful stories and stunning truths about the human capacity for early intelligence and the potential for quality early care and education to benefit America’s social and economic future. Following the film, there will be a brief Q&A with Producer Greg Jacobs about the film and the promise of early learning. Register now to attend the screening on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 7-9 PM at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Join Every Child Succeeds to Celebrate 20 Years of Supporting Families Every Child Succeeds is celebrating 20 years of helping new moms and their families raise successful thriving children in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Join ECS in celebrating by participating in their Strollerthon 5K/1-Mile Family Stroll on October 19 at Otto Armleder Park in Cincinnati. Register here.

This week, the Groundwork staff was thrilled to welcome the newest addition to our team--Julia Jackels! Julia joins Groundwork as our newest Policy Associate to support the development and implementation of Groundwork’s policy agenda, priorities and strategies through effective communication, advocacy, research, and data analysis. Julia holds a B.A. in Political Science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. During her time at Miami, Julia served as an intern in the District Office of Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, John Boehner. Most recently, Julia served as the Legislative Assistant to the Government Relations team at Roetzel & Andress where she provided legislative support on state-level issues impacting clients. We hope you'll join us in welcoming Julia to the Groundwork team! Groundwork Ohio Announces Fall Webinar Series on Early Childhood Mental Health Groundwork is excited to announce a new webinar series focused on Early Childhood Mental Health. Understanding early childhood mental health is key to preventing and treating the mental health problems of very young children and their families. It also helps guide the development of healthy social and emotional behaviors. Join for this webinar series learn more about early childhood mental health and expand your knowledge of your role in elevating this critical work! The first webinar of the series, "Ohio Early Childhood Mental Health: What do developmental milestones tell us?" by the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI), will be held on September 19, 2019 from 1-2 PM. About the Presenters Join us for the Sept. 19 Webinar The second webinar, "Ohio Early Childhood Mental Health: A Policy Overview," will be held September 26 from 1-2 PM with presenter Cindy Oser. About the Presenter Join us for the Sept. 26 Webinar Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage and learn about Early Childhood Mental Health from Groundwork Ohio! Ohio Benefits Releases New Early Childhood Services Eligibility Self-Assessment The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) in partnership with Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), Ohio Department of Education (ODE), and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) have designed and developed an Early Childhood Services Eligibility Self-Assessment tool. The tool, which consists of a brief survey, lets parents know which early childhood services they are likely eligible for and provides direct links to more information and referral opportunities. We hope you will share this new tool with families as a great first step in understanding what resources are available to best support early learning and healthy development for their young children. Simply copy and paste the following URL in your browser to access the tool: https://ssp.benefits.ohio.gov/ Note: If you share the webpage as a hyperlink, it will come up with an error message--be sure to instruct families to copy and paste the link to access the site. Registration Open For Building Resiliency: A Pediatric Mental Health Summit​ Registration for Building Resiliency: A Pediatric Mental Health Summit is now open. The Summit is free and open to adults across the state who touch the lives of children, such as parents, coaches, school personnel, counselors, and health care professionals. Attendees will learn how to spot the signs and symptoms of trauma in children and tangible strategies to address it from experts in mental health, health care education, and other fields. The summit will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at the Sinclair Conference Center in Dayton. Register Access the August 2019 Early Childhood in the News Roundup

Columbus, Ohio : Today, Groundwork Ohio announced the appointment of Julia Jackels as its newest Policy Associate. “I am excited to join Groundwork’s team in supporting a cause that I have always cared deeply about. I believe Groundwork’s mission to invest in Ohioans at an early age will lead to greater opportunities for our youth and a stronger Ohio,” said Jackels. Julia holds a B.A. in Political Science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. During her time at Miami, Julia served as an intern in the District Office of Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, John Boehner. Most recently, Julia served as the Legislative Assistant to the Government Relations team at Roetzel & Andress where she provided legislative support on state-level issues impacting clients. The hiring of an additional policy associate at Groundwork Ohio comes at a crucial time as awareness around quality early childhood education and development is rapidly growing across the state. “Over the past year, Groundwork has made significant progress in fostering support for policies that improve children’s early learning and healthy development. Julia’s skills and experience will further enhance our ability to engage families, providers, community leaders, and policymakers in our work to improve outcomes for young children and lay a strong foundation for economic prosperity in Ohio,” said Shannon Jones, Executive Director, Groundwork Ohio. Groundwork Ohio is a committed, nonpartisan public-policy research and advocacy organization formed in 2004 that advances quality early learning and healthy development as the most transformative strategy to increase the life-long success of Ohio’s children and lay a strong foundation for economic prosperity in Ohio. To learn more about Groundwork Ohio visit www.GroundworkOhio.org and follow us on Twitter @GroundworkOhio and Facebook, www.facebook.com/GroundworkOhio . ###

What if early childhood educators had all the resources they need to support quality learning and healthy development for young children? What if they were valued, respected, and fairly compensated for the work they do? Ohio's Power to the Profession Network (P2P) , launched by the Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children, is part of a national movement to ensure early childhood educators at all levels of the profession are valued, respected, and well-compensated. Through convening members of the early childhood workforce across the state of Ohio, P2P is able to foster a network of educators, as well as allow opportunities for individuals to build authentic relationships. Last Friday, nearly 100 early educators from across the state came together for the third Ohio P2P convening. Embedded throughout the day were opportunities for robust group discussion where educators reflected on current practices that are enhancing learning environments for young children, opportunities to better serve our littlest learners, and ways we can work to advance the early education profession in the coming years. Interested in learning more about the Power to the Profession movement? Check out the Ohio AEYC website or participate in the next P2P webinar on September 13th. P.S. Keep an eye out for some new early education workforce-focused advocacy resources... coming soon from Groundwork Ohio! Dayton Daily News: How Medicaid can help protect kids from lead poisoning The following is an excerpt from "How Medicaid can help protect kids from lead poisoning" by Kaitlin Schroeder of the Dayton Daily News. The full article can be accessed here . Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced last week that the Ohio Department of Medicaid is now federally approved to enhance and expand Medicaid’s lead abatement program in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health... With this approval, Medicaid will have greater flexibility to fund Ohio Department of Health lead hazard control projects in homes where a Medicaid-eligible child or pregnant woman lives, and to remove lead hazards in residential properties within targeted areas of the state... Shannon Jones, executive director of Groundwork Ohio, which advocates on early childhood issues, said the best intervention is to prevent children from lead poisoning in the first place. But because of how common older housing is, she said it is important that the DeWine administration’s approach also includes helping children with lead poisoning get help early, well before they are school age. “What we know about the interventions and about the brain science around young children is we have to get there much earlier for the intervention to be really maximized,” Jones said. Access the full article. Ohio Benefits Releases New Early Childhood Services Eligibility Self-Assessment The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) in partnership with Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), Ohio Department of Education (ODE), and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) have designed and developed an Early Childhood Services Eligibility Self-Assessment tool. The tool, which consists of a brief survey, lets parents know which early childhood services they are likely eligible for and provides direct links to more information and referral opportunities. We hope you will share this new tool with families as a great first step in understanding what resources are available to best support early learning and healthy development for their young children. Simply copy and paste the following URL in your browser to access the tool: https://ssp.benefits.ohio.gov/ Note: If you share the webpage as a hyperlink, it will come up with an error message--be sure to instruct families to copy and paste the link to access the site. Free Online Trainings on the Impact Substance Abuse on Pregnancy & Early Childhood The Ohio Department of Health this week shared a series of free trainings on substance abuse disorder and its impact on pregnancy and early childhood development. Click any of the options below to access the free training modules and be sure to share with friends and colleagues in the field: Substance Use: Risks and Effects in Pregnancy and Early Childhood Development Substance Exposed Infants, Part 1: Supporting Pregnant and Post-Partum Women’s Use of Medication-Assisted Treatment and Psychotropic Medications Substance Exposed Infants, Part 2: Impact of Perinatal Substance Use on Infants Substance Exposed Infants, Part 3: Developing and Implementing Plans of Safe Care for Substance Exposed Infants Registration Open For Building Resiliency: A Pediatric Mental Health Summit​ Registration for Building Resiliency: A Pediatric Mental Health Summit is now open. The Summit is free and open to adults across the state who touch the lives of children, such as parents, coaches, school personnel, counselors, and health care professionals. Attendees will learn how to spot the signs and symptoms of trauma in children and tangible strategies to address it from experts in mental health, health care education, and other fields. The summit will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at the Sinclair Conference Center in Dayton. Register How Medicaid can help protect kids from lead poisoning FAMILY FOCUS: Finding the right child care for your family The lost children: Advocates fear census will undercount kids

This past Tuesday, Governor DeWine announced in a press release that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Health approved a plan for the Children’s Health Insurance Program “ to enhance and expand Medicaid’s lead abatement program in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health .” The approval comes after Ohio’s operating budget for fiscal years 2020-2021 appropriated $5 million over the biennium to fund lead abatement initiatives for Medicaid and health departments. The approval of this strategy as a public health initiative is an important step forward for the health and development of Ohio kids, as lead poisoning has such detrimental effects on young children. Lead poisoning affects almost every system in the body and is especially harmful during the first few years of a child’s life, due to the disruption in foundational brain development. This announcement is just one example of Governor DeWine’s efforts to deepen investments in lead abatement, especially in high-risk dwellings. Prior to Tuesday’s CMS approval, several barriers were in place that prevented the Department of Health from effectively administering lead abatement programs. Some of those barriers included home owners being required to pay a cost toward lead abatement projects, requiring homeowners to provide proof of homeowner’s insurance, as well as showing birth certificates of children living in homes to prove their ages. Now, Medicaid will have more flexibility to fund lead abatement programs through the Department of Health, particularly in the homes of pregnant women and children who are eligible for Medicaid ( learn more ), as well as focus on areas across the state that are “high risk” ( learn more ). It is also aligned with Governor DeWine’s original plan to combat lead poisoning of young children. All Children Count! Big Table Event Check out the Big Table: All Children Count! on Wednesday, August 28th 8:30 - 10:00 am to come together as a community to ensure a complete count of all Ohioans - especially our children - in 2020. This event will take place at the Martin de Porres Center, 2330 Airport Dr. Columbus, OH 43219. Learn More Encourage Congress to Increase Federal CCDBG Funding Federal funds play a critical role in supporting early learning in Ohio--about 20% of Ohio's child care funding comes from the federal Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Congress is currently considering an increase to that fund, which could significantly benefit Ohio's littlest learners. We encourage you to elevate the importance of federal investments in early learning with your US Representative (look up your representative here) and Senators Brown and Portman by sending a letter expressing your support for increased CCDBG funding. Simply download our letter template , fill in the highlighted fields, and drop it in the mail! Early Head Start program awarded $18 million grant Kids With Lead Poisoning Will Get Early Help in These States Star rating for child care Ohio gets OK to expand Medicaid program to remove lead from homes Medicaid-approved changes remove barriers for Ohio's lead clean-up program 'This is a huge victory': Toledo officials praise lead abatement expansions

Groundwork is grateful to be on the newly appointed Ohio Early Childhood Advisory Council that met this week. Delivering and building upon the promises of Governor DeWine’s Opportunity for Ohio Kids Agenda, members were provided with a reflective update and celebration of Ohio’s FY 2020-2021 budget investments in young children and families. Leadership from the Governor’s Office of Children’s Initiatives and the early childhood cross-agency team shared their vision for implementing the incredible investments in critical interventions to improve outcomes for young children. Among all the great news and developments shared, we were thrilled to hear the updated numbers of children having access to quality rated child care programs through “Step Up to Quality.” At the end of July 2019, 71% of children served by publicly funded child care are accessing at least a 1-star rated program! Please share with us in celebrating the accelerated growth over the past year as a result of your persistent commitment to quality improvement alongside our state and local leaders! If you have any questions about the meeting, feel free to reach out to Lynanne Gutierrez , Policy Director & Legal Counsel. Intern Insights: Comparing Early Education Around the World A month ago when I started this internship, I had no idea what child care systems looked like in Ohio, let alone across the world. After I read about Ohio’s different forms of early childhood education, I started to read about what it looks like in other countries. As I’ve researched, I’ve found a wide variety of systems, some more comprehensive than others. But even as child care systems have varied, I’ve found that most countries share a fundamental understanding: that an investment in early childhood education and care systems benefits the country in a multitude ways.... Check out the full blog . Encourage Congress to Increase Federal CCDBG Funding Federal funds play a critical role in supporting early learning in Ohio--about 20% of Ohio's child care funding comes from the federal Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Congress is currently considering an increase to that fund, which could significantly benefit Ohio's littlest learners. We encourage you to elevate the importance of federal investments in early learning with your US Representative (look up your representative here) and Senators Brown and Portman by sending a letter expressing your support for increased CCDBG funding. Simply download our letter template , fill in the highlighted fields, and drop it in the mail! Why the U.S. Has Long Resisted Universal Child Care The success of Cleveland Rising Summit will rest first and foremost on reducing regional poverty: Brent Larkin Feeling the squeeze, American parents struggle to afford child care and student loan debt What Can D.C.’s Universal Pre-K Program Teach Us? Report: Costs in most states exceed subsidies for child care Program to reduce infant mortality subsidizes costs for pregnant women From Big Bird to Big Grants: How Sesame Workshop Became a Fundraising Jeggernaut

A month ago when I started this internship, I had no idea what child care systems looked like in Ohio, let alone across the world. After I read about Ohio’s different forms of early childhood education, I started to read about what it looks like in other countries. As I’ve researched, I’ve found a wide variety of systems, some more comprehensive than others. But even as child care systems have varied, I’ve found that most countries share a fundamental understanding: that an investment in early childhood education and care systems benefits the country in a multitude ways. Take France, for example. France has one of the most comprehensive child care systems in the world, providing universal preschool for all children ages three and above. But France isn’t perfect by any means. While they have a decent public child care system set up for kids under the age of three, parents are commonly faced with years-long waitlists. This significant shortcoming is offset by France’s long history of supporting family policies as they’ve been embraced as fundamental to the French welfare system since the late 18th century. No matter how many changes have been made to the child care system, it has remained a pillar of French government. The French child care system has allowed the women’s labor force participation to climb at a steady rate, while the US’s remains fairly stagnant. Although France’s system has its flaws, its continuing commitment to child care policies have lead the way for other countries. Even in countries with less extensive systems, early childhood education and care has become a priority. Mexico has a much more varied system of early childhood care centers to fit its large and diverse population. Despite efforts of the government to increase enrollment of younger kids in preprimary schools, the numbers remained relatively low for younger kids. To combat this issue, Mexico announced that three years of preprimary education starting at age three would be mandatory for all children. This was monumental as Mexico was the first country to ever make preprimary education mandatory. It’s had monumental effects with enrollment rates increasing 42.5% from 2000 to 2017. By making preschool compulsory, Mexico has started to bridge the large gap that exists between education in urban and rural settings and has begun creating a more equal starting point for all kids going into primary school. While Mexico still has a lot of work to create a more comprehensive system, the policies they’ve put into place have already started to solve social issues that have existed for decades. Korea is another country where investment in early childhood education is relevant, although in a different way than most other countries. Korea has a relatively comprehensive child care system, but for many parents, it’s not enough. A vast majority of kids attend private schools called hagwons after their normal classes. A recent study found that 82% of five year olds and 36% of two year olds receive private education at one of these centers. Hagwons are not without their fair share of criticism, with many saying that these centers prevent young children from spending time with their family. And while the rigorous schedule may be too tough for young children, it works with older children. South Korea ranked ninth overall in the world on the PISA test. While the effects that hagwons have on younger children need to be studied more before they become even more prevalent for young kids, investing in them yields positive results in overall intelligence. For Korea, investing in the combination of private and public school education has successfully made their kids some of the smartest in the world. Each of these systems has their individual strengths and weaknesses, but they’re united by something we seem to be missing: a commitment to early childhood education. After just hours of research, it became clear to me that investing in early childhood care and education is an incredibly smart decision. I don’t have any brilliant suggestions to where we should invest, but I think at least part of the solution lies in expanding programs that Ohio already has like Step Up to Quality and Help Me Grow. I think that giving early childhood centers the resources they need to get a five star rating and giving incentives for child care providers to expand into areas where children are particularly vulnerable is a good place to start from. At the end of the day, I don’t think we need a magic idea that’s going to solve the issues surrounding early childhood education, we just need to commit to doing better. And we have a good reason to. By investing in early childhood education, we’re investing in us, in our future, and in a brighter Ohio. Alisha Mohsin joins us this summer before beginning her senior year at Columbus Academy. She leads a variety of student organizations including Mecca Club, Service Board, and United Columbus Academy. Through her leadership in these clubs, she hopes to change the culture of the school and create a more inclusive community for students with diverse backgrounds.