This week, the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families released a report, titled "Nation's Youngest Children Lose Health Coverage at an Alarming Rate." The report shows that nationwide, the rate of uninsured children under the age of 6 has significantly increased since 2016. This increase comes as a surprise after years of a steady decrease in the number of children who are uninsured.
In the report, Ohio is highlighted for not only having a higher uninsured rate than the national average, but also for having a substantial increase in the number of uninsured children under 6 from 2016 to 2018. Across the U.S., the national average of uninsured children under the age of 6 is 4.3%. However, in Ohio, the rate of uninsured children under the age of 6 is 5%, which amounts to 41,642 children being uninsured. The 2018 rate of uninsured children under the age of 6 is significantly higher than the 2016 rate of 3.6% (29,820 children).
Due to the significant amount of brain development during the first five years of a child's life, access to affordable health care is a critical component in ensuring that children are provided with a healthy foundation.
ICYMI: Early Educators Speak Up for Children
Groundwork spent the past year traveling the state to present the findings included in our Race & Rural Equity Report. During these presentations, we asked early education professionals about equitable outcomes and what it means to the children they serve. Watch the video we created for you to hear first-hand from these early education professionals on how we can provide equitable outcomes for children. Watch the Video.
Extended Application Deadline for the Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship
The deadline to apply to the Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship has been extended to 5PM on December 20th. If you have not had a chance to submit your application for the Fellowship, you have one more week before the application closes!
Beginning in 2020, early education and health professionals from across the state will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, engage with thought-leaders and policymakers to advance quality early learning and health, and take steps to create state-, local-, and community-level change for young children in Ohio. Fellows will engage in a hybrid curriculum designed to build upon leadership and communications skills, expand knowledge around the landscape of Ohio’s early childhood systems, and empower participants to take on leadership roles in their communities and the early education and health professions across the state.
The Fellowship will incorporate in-person sessions, expert presentations, online learning experiences, and small group regional exercises designed to drive change in local communities. By the end of the year, Fellows will have gained the knowledge and tools needed to enhance their capacity to influence healthy development and early learning policies that will improve outcomes for Ohio’s youngest children and their families.
Applications must be submitted by 5 PM on December 20, 2019.
Do you know someone who would be a great fit for the Fellowship? Please be sure to share the Fellowship with them!
Ohio Census Advocacy Coalition Receives Funding to Support Local Organizations During Census
The Ohio Census Advocacy Coalition (OCAC) was recently awarded funding from The George Gund Foundation and The Cleveland Foundation to support community outreach during the 2020 Census. This funding will go towards mini-grants for local, community-based organizations to support a full count during the Census. If your organization would like to be considered for a mini-grant, please tune into the OCAC webinar on Wednesday, December 18th from 11 am - 12 pm. In order to participate in the webinar, you will need to RSVP by no later than 5 pm on Monday, December 16th.
Additionally, WE COUNT! Early Childhood Census Campaign created a toolkit in 15 different languages to provide organizations and individuals with helpful tips and tricks when encouraging families with children under the age of 5 to participated in the 2020 Census. The toolkit is available for $150 and must be ordered by today, December 13th. Click here to read more about the toolkit.
Groundwork Steering Committee Looks Ahead to 2020
On Wednesday, the Groundwork Ohio Steering Committee met to discuss all of the upcoming projects and events Groundwork has in the works for 2020. During the meeting, the Steering Committee expressed support around Groundwork's priorities for next year and offered ways stakeholders can be more engaged. We have a busy year ahead of us, but we are excited to move full-steam ahead to support Ohio's youngest learners and their families!