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!
