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Groundwork Ohio examined equity for Ohio’s children in the Early Childhood Race & Rural Equity Report by focusing on race, rural geography and socioeconomic status to tell a more complete story of the disparities experienced among Ohio’s youngest learners. Many more social factors, however, combine, overlap and intersect to impact child outcomes and student performance. One of these factors is gender. Our latest resource builds upon the Equity Report to further examine student performance through a race and gender equity lens. Early childhood education is a powerful prevention policy for Ohio's most at-risk kids. Comprehensive high-quality early childhood education has significant benefits for both males and females. At-risk children who have access to high-quality early childhood experiences within their first five years of life are more likely to be kindergarten ready, graduate from high school, and have higher earnings and better health AND are less likely to be held back a grade, be reliant on public assistance, and engage in criminal behavior. These improved outcomes not only position our youngest Ohioans for lifelong success, but providing high-quality, early childhood education for Ohio’s most at-risk children yields the greatest return on public investment, upwards of 13%. Check out our latest resource to learn more about early childhood equity at the intersection of race and gender. ACCESS THE FULL RESOURCE Happy 15th Anniversary to PNC Grow Up Great This week we are celebrating with our friends at PNC Bank on the 15th anniversary of their Grow Up Great initiative, which has been working since 2004 to help children from birth through age five develop a passion for learning that lasts a lifetime. On this exciting anniversary, PNC has announced an additional $150 million investment and is hosting the Great Big Book Drive through April 30, 2019! Every PNC branch will collect donations of new and gently used books for children birth to age 5. Donated books will be distributed to early learning organizations across PNC communities. Just look for the book donation bins that will be available at every PNC Bank branch! We are also excited to share a recent video from one of Ohio's own PNC Regional Presidents, David Melin, who spoke at TEDxDayton in February on the importance of investing in quality early learning for our most at-risk kids. Click below to check out the video! Thanks, as always, to our friends at PNC for their fierce, sustained commitment to Ohio kids! ACCESS THE FULL VIDEO Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague Announces ResultsOHIO Initiative Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague last week announced plans to establish the ResultsOHIO fund to support pay for success initiatives aimed at tackling Ohio’s most pressing public policy issues, including infant mortality. Groundwork Ohio applauds Treasurer Sprague’s commitment to support innovative strategies deeply grounded in evidence to address some of the greatest challenges facing our communities at a time where public resources are limited. By bringing together the strengths and resources of the public and private sectors, with rigorous accountability and discipline on moving outcomes, this new initiative can improve the health and well-being of our most vulnerable learners. Learn more If you attend the Ohio Early Childhood Conference, you will: Connect with like-minded early childhood professionals to share your challenges & discover solutions Learn from the nation's leading trainers, authors, and advocates on the business of family child care! Invest in your professional growth. As a small business owner, your expenses for registration fees and travel may be tax-deductible when itemizing your taxes. Check with your tax professional for details. Relax! Being an early childhood professional is hard work! We think you deserve some time for…You! Kalahari is the perfect chance to relax and have fun at the same time! Use the code "Groundwork" to get a $25 discount on your registration today. We hope to see you there! Register now!

COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Early Childhood Equitable Access Coalition today announced Governor Mike DeWine has proclaimed April 2019, as “ MONTH OF THE YOUNG CHILD ” and April 8-12, 2019, as “ WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD .” The proclamation coincides with a broader celebration of the Week of the Young Child™ sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which aims to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. “We are excited to join early educators and child advocates across the country in recognizing the critical foundation that must be laid in the early years of a child’s development and working to better meet the needs of all young children and their families,” said Kimberly Tice, Executive Director of the Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children, an affiliate of NAEYC and member of the Early Childhood Equitable Access Coalition. “We applaud the governor in further elevating early education issues by proclaiming the Week and Month of the Young Child here in Ohio.” Governor DeWine’s priorities for young children were recently detailed in his Executive Budget Proposal, including increased federal investments in Ohio’s early care and education, increased state funding to support the tripling of families served in evidence-based home visiting, increased state funding for early intervention services to support babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome and children poisoned by lead, and increased state funding for children’s services. “We look forward to working with Governor DeWine’s early childhood system cabinet agencies, the General Assembly, and statewide child-focused organizations to increase access for all children to quality education and services, especially for our most at-risk children,” said OCCRRA Chief Executive Director Todd Barnhouse. “The proposed funding increases in Governor DeWine’s executive budget proposal show his commitment towards the success of Ohio’s children and families.” The coalition remains committed to advancing its shared policy priorities throughout the legislative budget process to increase access to and improve the quality of early childhood education in Ohio. Their priorities include: Increasing rates for quality-rated providers to align with the federal guidance that recommends publicly funded child care providers be reimbursed at or above the 75th percentile of the most recent market rate to provide sufficient access for publicly funded children to quality care. Expanding the eligibility criteria from 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to 150% FPL to serve more at-risk children in a quality rated program that positions them for success early and drives outcomes throughout the lifespan. Increasing investments to support the early childhood education workforce in order to recruit and retain qualified professionals. Targeting quality center-based and home-based early childhood programs to open locations in areas of the state identified as “quality deserts” with little to no access for children to receive quality programming. The Ohio Early Childhoood Equitable Access Coalition includes the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA), Groundwork Ohio, the Ohio Association of Child Care Providers (OACCP), the Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children (Ohio AEYC), the Ohio Head Start Association, Inc. (OHSAI), and the Southwest Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children (SWOAEYC). The coalition seeks to unify early childhood educators behind a common policy agenda and mobilize stakeholders behind shared priorities to advocate for increased quality and access to early education programs in the FY20-21 state budget and beyond. Groundwork Ohio is a committed, nonpartisan advocacy organization formed in 2004 that advances quality early learning and development as the most transformative strategy to improve school outcomes, increase the life-long success of Ohio’s children, and lay a strong foundation for economic prosperity in the state of Ohio. To learn more about Groundwork Ohio visit www.GroundworkOhio.org and follow us on Twitter @GroundworkOhio and Facebook, www.facebook.com/GroundworkOhio. The Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA) and the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) network is a proven high functioning public-private partnership. Seven private non-profit CCR&R agencies serve as regional hubs throughout Ohio's 88 counties. These agencies provide professional development and technical assistance to local child care, early learning, and out of school time programs. In addition, these agencies provide support to providers, parents and the community. OCCRRA coordinates and ensures consistency among the seven CCR&R agencies, and is responsible for managing several statewide quality initiatives. To learn more about OCCRRA, visit www.occrra.org and follow us on Twitter @OhioCCRRA and Facebook, www.facebook.com/OhioCCRRA. The Ohio Association of Child Care Providers (OACCP) represents the Directors and Business Owners of over 600 licensed child care centers. Our members educate and care for over 50,000 of Ohio's youngest citizens, including private pay and publicly funded children, who are served in faith-based, for-profit and non-profit programs. To learn more about OACCP, visit www.oaccp.org and follow us on Twitter @OHOACCP and Facebook, www.facebook.com/OACCP. The Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children (Ohio AEYC) is state affiliate of NAEYC. We are a diverse community of professionals who are passionate about serving children age 0-8 including center directors & administrators, teachers (public, private & homeschool), state agency employees, family care providers, social workers, school administrators, early intervention specialists, college faculty & students. To learn more about Ohio AEYC, visit www.oaeyc.org and follow us on Twitter @OhioAEYC_ECE ‏and Facebook, www.facebook.com/oaeyc%20 The Ohio Head Start Association, Inc. is a professional membership organization whose work is dedicated to Leadership, Professional Development, Research and Advocacy. We are committed to high quality services for the most vulnerable children and families and foster positive change in our early childhood endeavors at the local, state and national levels. To learn more about the Ohio Head Start Association, Inc., visit www.ohsai.org and follow us on Twitter @OhioHeadStart and Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/headstartohio. The Southwest Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children (SWOAEYC) is a state affiliate of NAEYC who promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. To learn more about Southwest Ohio AEYC, visit www.swoaeyc.org and follow us on Twitter @swoaeyc and Facebook, www.facebook.com/Southwest-Ohio-AEYC-229890060304. ### Access the full press release.

Groundwork Ohio this week announced Myra Jones-Taylor as keynote speaker for our upcoming Laying the Groundwork: Early Childhood Awareness and Education Summit on May 8, 2019 at the Athletic Club of Columbus. Myra Jones-Taylor is the Chief Policy Officer at ZERO TO THREE, the national leader on infant-toddler policy and program development. There, she oversees the Policy Center, which includes federal and state policy and advocacy; leads the development and implementation of the organization’s policy agenda, priorities and strategies; and serves as the principal spokesperson for the organization on public policy matters with policymakers, the media, funders and partner organizations. The Laying the Groundwork Summit will convene more than 300 early childhood leaders from across the state to bring awareness to the importance of investments in early childhood education, especially evidence-based home visiting and high-quality child care and preschool. Advocacy Day participants will have the opportunity to meet directly with legislators to ask that they support investments in quality early education during the upcoming FY 20-21 budget. Read the Full Press Release. Learn to Earn Dayton's 10th Annual Readiness Summit Each spring educators, community leaders, elected officials and representatives of social service organizations from across the Dayton region come together for a day-long Readiness Summit. Today, we are honored to join those child advocates for Learn to Earn Dayton's 10th Annual Readiness Summit. Groundwork will be sharing data from the Ohio Early Childhood Race and Rural Equity Report, providing an advocacy training workshop for stakeholders who want to further engage in state policy, and collecting feedback from attendees on the barriers their communities face to achieving equitable outcomes for Ohio kids! If you'll be at the Summit, be sure to come visit us! Governor DeWine Announces Increased Investment in Family and Children Services This week, Governor Mike DeWine recommended a $74 million annual increase for Family and Children Services in the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for the upcoming 2020-2021 budget biennium. “For too long our state has been last in the nation for state support of foster care. As budgets are strained by an influx of children needing care because one or more of their parents has substance use disorder, our foster care system is at a critical juncture. Ohio’s children deserve better.” said Governor DeWine. “This budget is an investment in our children. Not only are we expanding proven programs, but we are providing the resources and flexibility to local children services agencies so they can focus more on caring for children.” Learn More Policy Director Lynanne Gutierrez Announced as Keynote Speaker for Eastern Ohio Education Partnership Council Meeting The 2019 EOEP Regional Council meeting will bring the eastern Ohio community together to review local data and show how it impacts students - cradle to career. Groundwork Ohio will be sharing findings from the Ohio Early Childhood Race and Rural Equity Report and collecting stories from attendees about the barriers the community faces to achieving equitable outcomes for kids. WHEN: Tuesday, March 26, 2019 | 7:30 a.m. - Noon WHERE: The Raymond John Wean Foundation 147 W. Market Street, Warren, Ohio 44481 If you wish to attend, please register by March 22nd at the latest! Register Parents As Teachers Annual Report Fewer babies dying amid push to reduce infant mortality in Franklin County Gov. Mike DeWine proposes more money for roads, children in State of the State speech We can reduce child poverty Good Returns on Child Care Day care is one of the most important economic issues of our time

Columbus, Ohio: Groundwork Ohio today announced Myra Jones-Taylor as keynote speaker for their upcoming Budget Advocacy Day on May 8, 2019 at the Athletic Club of Columbus. Myra Jones-Taylor is the Chief Policy Officer at ZERO TO THREE, the national leader on infant-toddler policy and program development. There, she oversees the Policy Center, which includes federal and state policy and advocacy; leads the development and implementation of the organization’s policy agenda, priorities and strategies; and serves as the principal spokesperson for the organization on public policy matters with policymakers, the media, funders and partner organizations. Prior to ZERO TO THREE, Myra served as the founding Commissioner of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, a cabinet-level state agency responsible for early care and education, home visiting, early intervention and child care licensing in the state, serving more than 50,000 children from birth through age five. During her time as Commissioner, the state agency was awarded $50 million in new federal grants and increased access to high-quality preschool to 3- and 4-year-olds by 25 percent. Myra received her doctorate in American studies and anthropology from Yale University. She has the honor of being both an Ascend Fellow and a Pahara Fellow at the Aspen Institute. She is an active board member of national organizations committed to equity and supporting the needs of young children and families, including All Our Kin and LIFT Communities. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband and two children. Groundwork Ohio’s Budget Advocacy Day will convene more than 300 early childhood leaders from across the state to bring awareness to the importance of investments in early childhood education, especially evidence-based home visiting and high-quality child care and preschool. Advocacy Day participants will have the opportunity to meet directly with legislators to ask that they support investments in quality early education during the upcoming FY 20-21 budget. Groundwork Ohio is a committed, nonpartisan advocacy organization formed in 2004 that advances quality early learning and development as the most transformative strategy to improve school outcomes, increase the life-long success of Ohio’s children, and lay a strong foundation for economic prosperity in the state of Ohio. To learn more about Groundwork Ohio visit www.GroundworkOhio.org and follow us on Twitter @GroundworkOhio and Facebook, www.facebook.com/GroundworkOhio . ZERO TO THREE works to ensure all babies and toddlers benefit from the family and community connections critical to their well-being and development. Since 1977, the organization has advanced the proven power of nurturing relationships by transforming the science of early childhood into helpful resources, practical tools and responsive policies for millions of parents, professionals and policymakers. For more information, and to learn how to become a ZERO TO THREE member, please visit zerotothree.org , facebook.com/zerotothree , or follow @zerotothree on Twitter .

Tune in today as Governor Mike DeWine delivers his first State of the State address at the Ohio Statehouse at 12 pm. Governor DeWine, who made strong commitments to investing in quality early education programs throughout his campaign, says that his State of the State address will maintain a similar focus. "I don't think you'll find any great surprises. We're going to talk about the things we've been talking about. Early childhood development. We're going to talk about the lead paint problem. Health issues," said Governor DeWine. "I've outlined what we think should be the agenda of this administration and those are things we're going to talk about." If you can't watch the address live, be sure to follow Groundwork Ohio on Facebook and Twitter --we will be sharing live updates throughout. Access the Live Stream Join the Conversation on Social Media Child advocates from around the state will be sharing their response to Governor DeWine's State of the State address on social media--make sure your voice is heard! Check out some of the sample tweets below or debrief with the Ohio Children's Budget starting at 2 PM by following #StateofOHKids on Twitter! State of the State Sample Tweets Today, @GovMikeDeWine delivers his first #StateOfTheState, outlining the top priorities for his administration over the coming year--especially his plans for investing in Ohio's youngest learners! Investing in quality #earlyed will make the #StateofOhio stronger for all of us! Tweet This >> @GovMikeDeWine delivers his first #StateOfTheState today and we can't wait to hear him reaffirm his plans for investing in Ohio's littlest learners. Quality #earlyed programs improve outcomes for our most at-risk kids & offer a large return on state investment--upwards of 13% Tweet This >> Tune in to today's #StateOfTheState where @GovMikeDeWine will be sharing his plans for investing in quality #ECE in Ohio. We are lucky to have a governor who understands the huge impact quality early learning can have for kids & for our state as a whole! http://ow.ly/Fgxl30nVcy5 Tweet This >>

"Follow the science, and act early to improve the lives of children at risk, or living in the toxic stress of severe poverty. DeWine has made such efforts a leading priority. The task now is ensuring that the first state budget of his tenure includes the necessary commitment.” -Akron Beacon Journal Editorial Board Diverse stakeholders from across Ohio have made their priorities clear--it's time to invest in quality early learning. Groundwork Ohio is committed to advancing these priorities in the upcoming FY 20-21 budget process and has been hard at work meeting with legislators to share the ways they can support quality early education programs for our most at-risk kids in the upcoming budget. Check out our latest legislator-focused resource to learn more about Groundwork's budget priorities and the strong case for investing in quality early learning in Ohio. Access the full resource Where do Ohio babies stand? The 12 million infants and toddlers in the U.S. are our next generation of parents, leaders, and workers. Yet far too many face persistent hardships that undermine their development. This week, ZERO TO THREE released the State of Babies Yearbook: 2019. This first of its kind Yearbook compares national and state-by-state data on the well-being of America's babies to help policymakers and advocates advance policies and budgets that put babies and families first. Check out the State of Babies Yearbook Register February 2019 Edition

Thanks to all of our friends, colleagues, Advisory Committee members, and legislative staff who came out to our happy hour last night! The evening was filled with great food, bowling, and, most importantly, conversations about how Ohio can improve the access and quality of early learning experiences in our state. We look forward to continuing to build these relationships throughout the upcoming budget process and beyond to ensure that all kids have the support they need to reach their full potential! View the event gallery. ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall Committed to Quality Child Care in Upcoming Budget Groundwork Ohio applauds the state's new Director of Job and Family Services, Kimberly Hall, who last week shared her commitment to advancing quality and expanded eligibility for Ohio's publicly funded child care. Director Hall shared that the department will request an increase in eligibility from 130% to 150% of the federal poverty level, and will support Governor DeWine's commitment to dedicate funds to increasing quality in Ohio's child care programs. "That makes many more people able to participate and have that benefit," Director Hall said. "It comes with a price tag, though, because you're adding more people into it. But it enables folks to ensure that quality care for their children." Learn more. Ohio Gov. DeWine previews an education agenda in Wilmington speech Elizabeth Warren Proposes Universal Child Care How Onsite Child Care Helps Teachers Juggle Parenthood and Work Democratic Education Leaders to Focus on Child Care Screen time for kids under 2 more than doubles, study finds

Columbus, Ohio: Groundwork Ohio, the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA), Ohio Association of Child Care Providers (OACCP), Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children (Ohio AEYC), and Southwest Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children (SWOAEYC) today announced the formation of the Ohio Early Childhood Equitable Access Coalition, a coalition of early childhood educators unified behind a common policy agenda and committed to mobilize stakeholders behind shared priorities to advocate for increased quality and access to early education programs in the FY20-21 state budget and beyond. “Recognizing the unique barriers children of color and those living in Ohio’s Appalachian region face is a crucial first step to working toward equity for all Ohio kids,” said Groundwork Ohio Executive Director Shannon Jones. “Quality child care for our most at-risk kids is the proven intervention to prevent gaps in early learning and development from occurring and reducing disparities in educational and health outcomes throughout the life course.” The coalition’s shared policy priorities to increase access to and improve the quality of early childhood education in Ohio include: Increasing rates for quality-rated providers to align with the federal guidance that recommends publicly funded child care providers be reimbursed at or above the 75th percentile of the most recent market rate to provide sufficient access for publicly funded children to quality care. Expanding the eligibility criteria from 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to 150% FPL to serve more at-risk children in a quality rated program that positions them for success early and drives outcomes throughout the lifespan. Increasing investments to support the early childhood education workforce in order to recruit and retain qualified professionals. Targeting quality center-based and home-based early childhood programs to open locations in areas of the state identified as “quality deserts” with little to no access for children to receive quality programming. Together, the Coalition aims to influence state decision makers and elevate bipartisan policy discussions to demonstrate the demand for greater access to quality child care programs. The Coalition will also offer a series of advocacy trainings led by Groundwork Ohio to mobilize early education providers, administrators, and teachers to advocate for increased access to and funding for quality early learning programs with specific focus on achieving equity for children of color and those living in Ohio’s rural Appalachian region. Learn more about the Equitable Access Coalition . Ohio Business Leaders Call for Action to Fight Child Care Crisis This week, ReadyNation , the business leaders' affiliate of the Council for a Strong America , wrote to members of Congress urging action to expand access to quality, affordable child care across the nation. The letter, calling for strong Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funding and support for other initiatives that expand access to quality care, referenced ReadyNation's recent report that sheds light on the nation's child care crisis. Of the 50 business leaders who signed on to the letter, 5 hail from the Great State of Ohio: Candace Kendle (Former Chair & CEO, Kendle International), John Pepper (Retired Chairman & CEO, Procter & Gamble), Jim Spurlino (President, Spurlino Materials), Al Stroucken (Retired Chairman & CEO, O-I / Owens-Illinois, Inc.), and James Zimmerman (Retired Chairman & CEO, Macy's, Inc.). We applaud the important work these leaders are doing at the state and federal levels to ensure Ohio is a great place for all kids to grow, learn, and thrive! Read the full letter. Access the full report. Groundwork Advisory Committee Primed for 2019 Advocacy The Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee, consisting of early education experts from across the state, convened this week to discuss our 2019 projects and priorities. The Committee looks forward to engaging with Ohio's General Assembly and the DeWine Administration to ensure sound policies and investments for kids in the FY 20-21 budget and beyond and is committed to achieving equity for Ohio's kids--especially our infants and toddlers, children of color, and those in our rural Appalachian region.​ Fordham Institute Releases Ohio Education By the Numbers The Thomas B. Fordham Institute has released the latest "Ohio by the Numbers" brief on the state of education. The facts and figures contained within offer an overview of Ohio’s students; where they go to school; their achievement on national and state exams; and their readiness for success in college and career. This edition includes the most recent data available as of December 2018, including enrollment and state exam results from the 2017-18 school year and from the 2017 round of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Access the full report. Pre-to-3: Place-based early literacy initiatives giving families a sense of community pride Why paid family leave is about more than taking care of babies Day Care for All New Report Lists How States Plan to Use Increased Federal Funding for Child Care Child Care Provides Nearly $100 Billion Economic Impact, New Report Finds America’s Insanely Expensive Child Care Is a Serious Economic Problem The 'transformative power' of reaching children before kindergarten

This week, Groundwork staff met with Ohio Development Services Agency Director Lydia Mihalik to discuss the importance of ensuring a complete count of Ohio’s youngest children during the upcoming 2020 census. The census plays a critical role in determining the allocation of billions of federal dollars that promote healthy growth and development during early childhood, including $795 million at stake in the Child Care Development Fund, Head Start and Early Head Start, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program . The magnitude of resources at stake is increased dramatically as we consider the long-term impact of census counts on state funding over the coming decade. Further, the census informs advocacy for state and local investments in evidence-based early childhood interventions as we seek to close gaps between federal resources and the needs of Ohio’s at-risk young children. Unfortunately, the undercounting of children under the age of five has been a pervasive issue in decennial censuses. An estimated 1 million young children were undercounted nationally as a result of the census conducted in 2010. In 2020, it is predicted that communities with large, young child populations are at high risk of being undercounted yet again. The Children’s Defense Fund of Ohio estimates that over 100,000 of Ohio’s young children are at risk of not being counted in the 2020 census . To make matters worse, children in low-income households, children of color and Appalachian children stand to be disproportionately undercounted while also having the most to lose as vital programs face census-related reductions in funding. Groundwork expressed our support for the Development Services Agency in identifying solutions and funding measures to ensure that no federal dollars available to meet the critical needs of our most at-risk young children are left on the table as a result of the upcoming 2020 census. Interested in learning more about efforts to ensure a complete census count in Ohio? Check out the Ohio Census Advocacy Coalition . Akron Supports Teachers & Ready Students At the beginning of this week, the GAR Foundation announced a new initiative in collaboration with the Early Childhood Resource Center, Summit Education Initiative, and Kent State University’s Center for Public Policy and Health. The new initiative, STARS: Supporting Teachers and Ready Students, will engage 23 local child care and preschool programs over two years, offering professional development and training on high-quality and engaged learning techniques, as well as guiding administrators as they strive to achieve star ratings in Ohio’s early education Quality Rating and Improvement System, Step Up to Quality (SUTQ). “High-quality learning starts with teachers,” said Kirstin Toth, senior vice president of GAR Foundation. “We know that helping young children get the right start is the most important investment we can make in the educational continuum. Sixty percent of children who show up at Akron Public Schools’ kindergartens are not ready to learn. If we want to see systemic progress in early learning, the system needs an infusion of quality professional development, resources, and support for those caring for and teaching our youngest learners.” Akron’s rate of children who enter kindergarten demonstrating readiness is consistent with the state's, but children of color in Summit County still fare far worse than their white peers. Only 20.7% of black children in the county are ready for kindergarten, compared to 54.2% of their white peers . Investing in quality early education opportunities is the proven intervention to prevent gaps in early learning and development from occurring and reduce long-term disparities in education and health outcomes. “Children who begin kindergarten on track for success are more than twice as likely to read on grade level during the first years of school,” added Laura DiCola, Summit Education Initiative’s Early Childhood Strategy Leader and member of Groundwork Ohio’s Advisory Committee. "The coalitions bring kindergarten and preschool educators together with community partners to develop targeted, data-informed strategies to improve school readiness in a specific neighborhood or community. Summit Education Initiative is eager to strengthen this work with deep engagement from the STARS centers." Learn more about the STARS Initiative . Raising Awareness in the 133rd General Assembly The Groundwork policy team is still hard at work raising awareness among legislators about the importance of investing in quality early learning programs during the upcoming FY 20-21 budget. This week, we met with Senators Craig, Hackett, and Hoagland as well as staff from the offices of Senators Hill, Rulli, and Williams! Learn more about how you can advocate for Ohio's youngest learners in the upcoming budget process. The Starting Line: Can governors deliver on their early childhood campaign promises? Three ways high-quality preschool can improve the health of children Laundromats Fold In Learning Spaces For Busy Families Cleaner Classrooms and Rising Scores: With Tighter Oversight, Head Start Shows Gains Ebel: Working to reduce infant mortality in Licking County Closing the achievement gap before it starts Ohio continues to fight infant mortality, racial gap in birth outcomes

As we delve into access and outcome data on Ohio's youngest learners, Groundwork recognizes that Ohio Babies Carry the Biggest Burden . Not only are Ohio's rates of preterm birth and infant mortality far above the national average, but eligible infants and toddlers are also less likely to access child care, especially in a quality setting. Only 12.9% of infants and toddlers are served in a high-quality rated program. With this in mind, Groundwork Ohio convened our state's leading experts on infants and toddlers this week to discuss the opportunities Ohio has to serve additional 0-3-year-olds in quality programs. This work emerges as Groundwork embarks on a strategic partnership with the Pritzker Children's Initiative, whose goal is to serve one million additional infants and toddlers across the country by 2023. Learn more about our 0-3 focused work . Highlighting Local Success: Preschool Teachers Bond, Learn in Summit County Program In 2017, Summit Education Initiative (SEI) developed and launched its CLASS Act Scholars of Summit County program to increase kindergarten readiness through teacher development and professional support. SEI designed the program to elevate, celebrate and support the quality of preschool teacher professional practices in Summit County, Ohio. For nine months, the CLASS Act Scholars program connects preschool teachers from a variety of learning settings to build relationships, deepen knowledge and learn how to interact more intentionally with children. Scheduled to graduate in May 2019, the program’s Class 2 of scholars are working through their “Making the Most of Classroom Interactions” coursework, which includes 10 instructional sessions. Like last year’s program, the curriculum aligns with CLASS® (Classroom Assessment Scoring System), a research-based observation tool. The course instruction, in addition to individual coaching and peer-to-peer support, helps drive positive results for each of the 20 participating scholars. Not only does this program help improve high-quality interactions between teachers and students in preschool classrooms, but also it reinforces the critical role early childhood educators play in the lives of students and the health of a community. Every scholar (19) who graduated from the program in May 2018 reported that the CLASS Act Scholars experience impacted or significantly impacted their professional practice, knowledge and thinking, as well as the quality of their specific classroom practices. ( View the entire Class 1 Summary at this link .) “It was inspiring to see how deeply last year’s scholars bonded together as a group to grow and learn from each other,” said Laura DiCola, Early Childhood Strategy Leader for SEI and Member of Groundwork Ohio’s Advisory Committee. “Like last year, this year’s group of scholars come from a variety of different preschool settings and are very diverse in educational background, professional experience and student demographics.” To view a list of current and past CLASS Act Scholars and their preschools, visit www.seisummit.org/class . Participate in Save the Children Action Network's 2019 Advocacy Summit Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) has identified that Ohio is an important state when it comes to early childhood education policy. That means SCAN is looking for local activists who want to learn more about making a difference on local education issues. The Advocacy Summit is an amazing way to start building these skills and connect with the issue. Interested in participating? Learn more here or apply by February 8th ! Groundwork Ohio's policy team kept busy this week meeting with members of the General Assembly to "lay the groundwork" for our upcoming budget advocacy and participate in Representative Emilia Sykes' listening session on infant and maternal mortality. Beacon Journal/Ohio.com editorial board: DeWine knows money matters in educating students burdened by poverty Benefits of pre-k do not fade with age Beacon Journal/Ohio.com editorial board: Ohio can do more for its poor OPINION: How current policy hurts our youngest citizens Column: New governor opens term with commitment to children DeWine pledges to improve children’s lives in his first visit to Northeast Ohio as governor

This week, Groundwork Ohio announced a unique partnership with the Pritzker Children’s Initiative (PCI) to promote prenatal-to-three issues, policies and opportunities in the state of Ohio. As we delve deeper into the issues Ohio’s youngest learners face, we find that Ohio Babies Carry the Biggest Burden . “When we zero in on 0-3-year-olds, we find that state investments in evidence-based home visiting, quality child care and other mental and physical health interventions that support a child’s healthy development do not match the need of Ohio’s at-risk babies,” said Shannon Jones, Executive Director of Groundwork. “In fact, our most vulnerable infants and toddlers are the least likely to be accessing these interventions that will position them for lifelong success.” This partnership with PCI will support the planning of a strategic campaign to educate statewide policymakers and advance policies that serve vulnerable 0-3-year-olds in Ohio and will position Groundwork Ohio to work toward the implementation of this planned under the continued support of PCI. (Read full press release here .) This work comes at a critical time as Ohio’s new Governor Mike DeWine works toward fulfilling the plans laid out in his Opportunity for Every Ohio Kid agenda. This week, Governor DeWine took several preliminary steps toward reaching those goals through a series of executive orders and the announcement of an advisory council to make budget recommendations on evidence-based home visiting. (Read Groundwork’s response to the announcement here .) Participate in Save the Children Action Network's 2019 Advocacy Summit Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) has identified that Ohio is an important state when it comes to early childhood education policy. That means SCAN is looking for local activists who want to learn more about making a difference on local education issues. The Advocacy Summit is an amazing way to start building these skills and connect with the issue. Interested in participating? Learn more here or apply by February 8th ! Poll: Early Childhood Education "Safe Issue" for Both Parties Julian Castro Promises 'Pre-K for the U.S.A' in Announcing Presidential Bid Editorial: DeWine puts kids at forefront Editorial: DeWine's early focus is where it should be: on children, opioids Gov. DeWine unveils plans to help pregnant women, new moms

Groundwork Ohio is pleased to welcome Vanessa Butler, our newly appointed Policy Associate! Vanessa has maintained a professional career dedicated to public service. Prior to joining Groundwork, Vanessa served as the Civil Fellow for the Ohio State University’s Student Legal Services. She also previously served as a Deputy Auditor for the Board of Revision in the Franklin County Auditor’s office for five years. In addition, she has held internships that helped mold her professional foundation, such as a legislative internship in the office of former Senator Ray Miller, an internship in the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office civil division, as well as an externship in the Columbus City Schools’ legal office. Vanessa holds a B.A. in Political Science from Denison University and a Juris Doctorate from Capital Law School. While in law school, she maintained her commitment to service in the school’s community. She served as President of the Black Law Student Association, as well as Vice President of the Christian Legal Society. She was also recognized as a Marshall Brennan Fellow, a recipient of the David D. White Scholarship, as well as a past participant of the Columbus Bar Association’s Minority Clerkship Program. Through the Minority Clerkship Program, Vanessa clerked for the Ohio State University’s Student Legal Services. She currently serves on the board of directors for the W.O.R.T.H. Foundation, a non-profit organization geared toward providing civic and leadership-based initiatives for the Columbus community. Vanessa was also recognized in the 11th edition of Who’s Who in Black Columbus. We are thrilled to have Vanessa as part of the Groundwork team! Understanding quality in Ohio's early learning programs Ohio's Step Up to Quality Rating and Improvement System outlines evidence-based standards and practices that improve outcomes for kids. But what does quality look like at Ohio's early learning centers? Check out what the YMCA Hilltop Educare Center is doing to ensure quality early education. Groundwork Ohio on The Sound of Ideas This week, Groundwork Ohio was featured on Ideastream's "The Sound of Ideas" Monday morning show with Governor-elect DeWine's Director of Children's Initiatives LeeAnne Cornyn and PRE4CLE's Executive Director Katie Kelly. Check out the show here. Democrats, Independents Want Early-Childhood Funding, And Don't Care Who Gets Credit Mike DeWine Advancing Campaign Promise To Serve Ohio Children High-quality pre-K doesn't get most lead-poisoned children ready for kindergarten Reducing infant mortality starts with listening to women in this city Advice for Gov. DeWine Early Education in the DeWine Administration & Youth Podcast "Making Our Own Stories"