Groundwork Ohio

10/15/2026

Throughout Groundwork Ohio’s Roadshow 2026, we’ve been traveling across the state to listen, learn, and hear directly from families about their experiences raising young children in Ohio.

During our stop in Scioto County, Amanda Spencer shared her family’s experience navigating health challenges and accessing early intervention services for her daughter, Olivia.

Stories like Amanda and Olivia’s are an important part of our Roadshow. What we hear from families, providers, and community leaders will help inform the policy priorities and recommendations we share with Ohio’s new governor and legislature in 2027.

We want to hear from you, too! Take our Roadshow policy survey to share what matters most to you and your family. Your voice is an important part of this conversation.

📝 Share your perspective: https://secure.everyaction.com/L_c133zRwkWL28DBWbmNJw2

10/15/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Auglaize and Shelby Counties on October 14 for another stop on Groundwork Ohio’s Roadshow!

We kicked off the day at the Auglaize County Educational Service Center, joining the Auglaize County Family & Children First Council meeting before bringing together community partners for a roundtable discussion about the needs of young children and families.

A special thank you to State Senator Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield), representing Ohio's 12th Senate District, and Cameron Warner from U.S. Congressman Jim Jordan's (R-OH-4) office for joining our roundtable conversation!

In the afternoon, we visited ROOTS Child Development Center in Jackson Center alongside the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA and State Senator Manchester. We were also joined by Shelby County Commissioner Julie Ehemann; Jackson Center Village Councilmembers Ross Ludwig, James Devine, and Luke Doseck; Jackson Center Economic Development Director/Zoning Officer Ed Maxwell; Jackson Center Village Administrator Drew Sosby; and Juli Smith of the Community Foundation of Shelby County Ohio.

Representatives from Plastipak and Airstream, whose contributions helped make this child care partnership possible, also joined us for the visit.

Thank you to the Auglaize County Family & Children First Council, Auglaize County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Sidney-Shelby County YMCA, for helping bring these important conversations together!

Every stop brings new perspectives and insights that will help shape our policy priorities for Ohio’s youngest children and families.

Julie Ehemann for County Commissioner Plastipak Airstream Auglaize County Board of Developmental Disabilities Village of Jackson Center County Commissioners Association of Ohio

10/15/2026

Kindergarten readiness is about more than academics! 📚

In our latest Amplified Reloaded podcast episode, Dr. Wendy Grove from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth discusses how kindergarten readiness takes a comprehensive look at child development, including academic skills, social-emotional development, physical well-being, and motor development.

She also reminds families that children don't need to enter kindergarten already knowing how to read, but reading together is a great way to support their learning and development.

🎧 Watch the full conversation: https://youtu.be/JGwnGdXbLvY

10/15/2026

Ohio has made progress in reducing infant mortality—but the Black/white disparity remains.

In this special guest blog, Stacy Scott challenges us to look beyond “risk behaviors” and address the real-world conditions that can make safe sleep difficult for families.
From narrative repair and design justice to material support and the Real Nights Plan, Scott offers practical tools for creating safer, more equitable outcomes for Black babies.

👉 Read the full blog and explore what it will take to transform infant health in Ohio:
https://www.groundworkohio.org/post/reimagining-safe-sleep-what-ohio-can-learn-from-dreaming-safe-sleep-futures

10/14/2026

Join us for The Morning Meeting tomorrow, Thursday, October 15, featuring Dr. Stacy Scott, a nationally recognized public health leader, infant safe sleep expert, and longtime advocate for reducing infant mortality.

With more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Scott has worked across communities and systems to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and advance safe sleep practices for babies.

📅 Thursday, October 15
⏰ 9:30 am
💻 Zoom

Register to join the conversation: https://bit.ly/4y7Wmaj

10/14/2026

🏠 What do housing challenges mean for Ohio’s youngest children and families?

On October 21, Groundwork Ohio’s Roadshow 2026 will visit Cuyahoga County to explore this question and hear directly from local leaders, providers, and community members.

Alongside co-hosts First Year Cleveland and the Coalition On Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO), we'll discuss housing affordability and availability, connections to maternal and infant health, and the mental health needs of families with young children.

Be part of the conversation! Learn more and Register today: https://secure.everyaction.com/RnY5Kmiit0yaFqXaON1kbg2

10/14/2026

October is Head Start Awareness Month!

Across Ohio, Head Start and Early Head Start provide young children and families with early learning, health and developmental screenings, nutrition, family support, and other services that support children during their earliest years.

This month, we’re recognizing the important role Head Start plays for more than 26,000 children and families across all 88 Ohio counties.

Learn more about Head Start in Ohio: https://www.groundworkohio.org/head-start-ohio-data

10/13/2026

There’s more than one way to vote in Ohio! 🗳️

🏢 Vote early in person
✉️ Vote by absentee ballot
🗳️ Vote at your polling place on November 3

The best voting plan is the one that works for YOU!

Make a plan to vote! Learn about your options and get ready for Election Day: https://www.groundworkohio.org/votebabyvote

10/13/2026

Such a great day in Cincinnati on October 7! You can read the full recap from our event here: https://www.groundworkohio.org/post/groundwork-ohio-roadshow-2026-hamilton-county

10/13/2026

📣 Good news for early childhood educators!

The bipartisan Supporting Early Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act has officially been signed into law!

For the first time, early childhood educators will be eligible for the same federal tax deduction available to K-12 teachers for out-of-pocket classroom expenses, including books, supplies, and learning materials.

Early childhood educators play an essential role in supporting young children’s learning and development, yet many spend their own money to provide materials for their classrooms.

This bipartisan legislation marks an important step toward recognizing and supporting the early childhood workforce.

🔗 Read more from First Five Years Fund: https://www.ffyf.org/2026/09/16/statement-seed-act-passes-into-law/

The bipartisan Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act is set to become law, marking a key bipartisan victory for early childhood educators and an important step forward for federal child care policy.