Child care is essential to Ohio's economic growth. As Ohio works to maintain its recent @CNBCnow #1 ranking for business, @OhioChamber President & CEO @stevestivers points to "child care deserts" as a barrier to workforce participation in this recent @daytondailynews article. In Ohio, more than half of Ohio families live in a child care desert. Affordable, accessible child care is critical to supporting working families and strengthening Ohio's workforce. #childcareworks #childcare #ohio Read the article👇

🤖 If Sulayman could vote, he’d vote for Transformers! 🚗 We love seeing the creativity and imagination of Ohio’s youngest voices through our #VoteBabyVote coloring page! A big thank you to Sulayman for sharing his pick! 🎨 What would the little ones in your life vote for? Download our coloring page, invite your child to draw or write their answer, and email a photo of their masterpiece to [email protected]. We may feature it on our social media, too! 🔗 Get your coloring page: groundworkohio.org/votebabyv… Young children can’t vote—but their voices matter! #VoteBabyVote #groundworkohio

📍 Groundwork Ohio Roadshow 2026: Cuyahoga County! While one part of our team hosted a community roundtable in Cleveland, another continued our Roadshow visits with stops at MY KIDS CHILDCARE in Mentor and Shells Childcare and Learning Center in Maple Heights! During these site visits, we had the opportunity to hear directly from early childhood educators and providers about their work supporting young children and families, the challenges facing child care programs, and opportunities to strengthen Ohio's early childhood system. Thank you to State Sen. @KentKSmith (D-Euclid), State Rep. Darnell Brewer (D-Cleveland) (@RepBrewer) and Qianna Tidmore from the @OhioAEYC_ECE for joining us, and to both child care programs for welcoming our team! 🔗 Learn more about Roadshow 2026: groundworkohio.org/roadshow #GroundworkOhioRoadshow2026 #CuyahogaCounty #EarlyChildhood #EveryStopEveryStory

📍 Groundwork Ohio Roadshow 2026: Cuyahoga County! On October 21, we were in Cleveland for a community roundtable alongside our co-hosts, @FirstYearCLE and @COHHIO. Our conversation focused on housing affordability and availability and the connections to maternal health, infant health, and mental health. We heard from local leaders, advocates, and community members about the challenges facing families with young children and opportunities to better support them. In the afternoon, we visited Parma Preschool to learn more about its early childhood programs and how they support young children and families in the community. A special thank you to Senate Minority Leader @nickieantonio (D-Lakewood) and Brad from U.S. Rep. @RepShontelBrown's (D-OH-11) office for joining us, and to all our participants and Parma Preschool for welcoming us! What we heard in Cuyahoga County will help inform our statewide Roadshow report and future policy recommendations for Ohio’s youngest children and families. 🔗 Learn more about Roadshow 2026: groundworkohio.org/roadshow #GroundworkOhioRoadshow2026 #CuyahogaCounty #EarlyChildhood #EveryStopEveryStory

Yesterday, our Groundwork Ohio Roadshow brought us to Marion County, where we gathered with our Early Learning Advisory Council to discuss priorities for Ohio’s youngest children. Together, we explored ways to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care, strengthen the early childhood workforce, and improve early intervention services for infants, toddlers, and families. A special thank you to the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities for hosting us and helping make these important conversations possible! We're grateful to our Early Learning Advisory Council members for sharing their expertise as we work to make Ohio the best place to be a young child. #GroundworkOhioRoadshow2026 #EveryStop #EveryStory #DrivingChange

This week on The Morning Meeting, we’ll be joined by Shawna Rohrman, PhD, Director of the Cuyahoga County Office of Early Childhood/Invest in Children and a member of Groundwork Ohio’s Early Learning Advisory Council. Shawna will discuss her work, the importance of coordinated early childhood services, and opportunities to better support young children and families. 📅 Thursday, October 22 | 9:30 am 🔗 Register here: secure.everyaction.com/Ofdui…

📍 Groundwork Ohio Roadshow 2026: Stark & Portage Counties! On October 15, we visited Stark and Portage Counties for conversations about child care, Ohio's workforce, and the needs of young children and families. In Stark County, we joined the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce for *Child Care & the Workforce: One Year Later!* Thank you to Julie Abiecunas of JRC, Jeff Dafler of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, and our panel moderator, Angela Moses of the Early Childhood Resource Center, for helping make this event possible! 👏 Thank you to our panelists: - Liz Hibbs, Early Childhood Education Alliance - Asha Boone, Stuckey Learning Center - Justin Evans, Precious Cargo - State Sen. Jane Timken (R-Jackson Township) We also appreciated staff from U.S. Sen. Jon Husted's office joining us! In Portage County, we hosted a community roundtable with the Portage County Health District and United Way of Portage County, hearing directly from local leaders and early childhood professionals about challenges facing families and opportunities for stronger support. Thank you to everyone who participated in both counties! These conversations will help inform our statewide Roadshow report and future policy recommendations. 🔗 Read the recap: groundworkohio.org/post/grou… #GroundworkOhio #Roadshow2026 #ChildCare #EarlyChildhood #Everystop #EveryStory #DrivingChange @JRCcares @CantonChmbr @early_alliance @JaneTimkenOH @JonHusted @uwportage

🎉 Happy two year work anniversary to Vanessa Butler! For the past two years, Vanessa has brought her passion, leadership, and ability to connect advocates across Ohio to #TeamGroundwork! Her dedication to building relationships and strengthening the early childhood movement continues to make a difference for Ohio's youngest children and families. 👏Thank you, Vanessa, for all you do! #GroundworkOhio

📍 Groundwork Ohio Roadshow 2026: Auglaize & Shelby Counties! On October 14, we met with local leaders, policymakers, and community partners to discuss the needs of young children and families. We began the day at the Auglaize County Educational Service Center, joining the Auglaize County Family & Children First Council meeting and hosting a community roundtable with support from the Auglaize County Board of Developmental Disabilities. State Sen. Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield) and Cameron Warner from U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan’s (R-OH-4) office joined the conversation. In the afternoon, we visited ROOTS Child Development Center in Jackson Center alongside the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA, members of the Jackson Center Village Council, and other local officials to learn about an employer-supported child care partnership made possible in part by Plastipak and Airstream. 🔗 Read the full recap: groundworkohio.org/post/grou… #GroundworkohioRoadshow2026 #EveryStop #EveryStory #DrivingChange #ohio #childcare @SusanManchester @Jim_Jordan @Airstream_Inc @OHCounties @CFShelbyCounty

Planning to vote absentee? There’s ONE WEEK left to request your absentee ballot. The deadline is October 27. Don't wait. Find official information and make your request: ow.ly/VYJc50ZZ0j9 #VoteBabyVote #ReadyToVoteOhio

October is Head Start Awareness Month! 💙 For Darcy and her husband, Head Start has been an important source of support as they raise their two grandsons. Their 4-year-old grandson is enrolled in Head Start, where he is learning, growing, and receiving services that support his development. From speech therapy and a family advocate to food assistance, Head Start provides comprehensive services that support both children and their families. Darcy’s story is just one example of the difference Head Start makes for families across Ohio, providing young children with early learning opportunities and connecting families with resources and support. #HeadStartAwarenessMonth #HeadStart #EarlyChildhood

📍 Groundwork Ohio Roadshow 2026: Hamilton County! On October 7, our Groundwork Ohio Roadshow brought us to Cincinnati for conversations focused on child care affordability, workforce challenges, and the needs of young children and families across Hamilton County. Thank you to U.S. @RepGregLandsman (D-OH-1) for joining us and to our incredible panelists for contributing to these conversations! Our policymaker panel was moderated by Groundwork Ohio President & CEO Lynanne Gutierrez: -Hamilton County Commissioner @DeniseDriehaus -State Rep. Karen Brownlee (D-Cincinnati) -State Sen. Louis W. Blessing III (R-Colerain Township) -Mary Maune, Hamilton County Commission on Women & Girls Our practitioner panel was moderated by Dean Woodring of @4CforChildren: -Gladys Ahovi, Ohio Valley Goodwill -Louise Brock, Domestic Workers Alliance -Patricia Gleason, @learning_grove -Emily Graeter, @CincyChamber Thank you to everyone who contributed to these conversations. What we heard in Hamilton County will help shape our understanding of the challenges and priorities facing Ohio families with young children. 🔗 Read our full Hamilton County Roadshow recap: groundworkohio.org/post/grou… #GroundworkOhio #Roadshow2026 #HamiltonCounty #EarlyChildhood #ChildCare @votekarenb @LBlessing308 @NYDomWkrs @HCCWG_Ohio

🏢 How are Ohio businesses supporting working families? A recent resource from Groundwork Ohio and the @OhioChamber of Commerce, Business Innovation in Child Care: Case Studies Across Ohio, highlights innovative approaches across the state. In Stark County, six employers are providing up to $200 per month, per child, toward child care costs through the Alliance Employment Promise, while helping providers offer more flexible hours. 🔗 Read more about the Alliance Employment Promise: ow.ly/Xhrn50ZYb3x

🛝 If Joanna could vote, she’d vote for extra play time at school! More time to play? We think plenty of little ones would agree! We love seeing Ohio’s youngest voices come to life through our #VoteBabyVote coloring page! A big THANK YOU to Joanna for sharing what matters most to her! 🎨 What would the little ones in your life vote for? Download our coloring page, invite your child to draw or write their answer, and email a photo of their masterpiece to [email protected]. We may feature it on our social media, too! Get your coloring page: groundworkohio.org/votebabyv… Young children can’t vote—but their voices matter! #VoteBabyVote #ReadyToVoteOhio

📍Groundwork Ohio Roadshow 2026: Lucas County! On October 6, our Groundwork Ohio Roadshow brought us to Laurie’s Place in Toledo for two panel discussions exploring the needs of young children and families across Lucas County. Our first panel focused on prenatal and infant health, featuring State Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo), Julia Myers of Toledo Day Nursery, Emily Scheuer of the Health Council of Northwest Ohio, and Kendra “Kec” Siville of the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department. The conversation was moderated by Adrienne Bradley of ProMedica. Our second panel explored early care and education, preschool, and kindergarten readiness, featuring Toledo City Council President Vanice Williams, owner of First Light Childcare Center; Julie Haas of Mom’s House; and Kevin Mullan of KPM Consulting. The discussion was moderated by Rev. John C. Jones, President & CEO of HOPE Toledo and Groundwork Ohio Board Member. In the afternoon, we visited Harbor for a provider roundtable joined by State Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania). We discussed early intervention, behavioral health, and supports for mothers and children navigating recovery. We also toured the facility and heard directly from mothers receiving services about their experiences. Thank you to everyone who joined us to share perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing young children and families in Lucas County! 🔗 Read our full Roadshow recap: groundworkohio.org/post/grou… #GroundworkOhioRoadshow #EveryStory #EveryStop #DrivingChange @phh4Toledo @PaulaHicksHuds1 @OhioSenateDems @HopeTolPromise @ToledoLucasHD @ToledoCouncil @JoshWilliamsOH @OHRGOPCaucus

📬Want to vote from home? Absentee voting may be an option for you—but don't wait until the last minute to get started. Ohio's deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 27. Find official information about requesting and returning an absentee ballot: ohiosos.gov/elections/electi… #VoteBabyVote #ReadyToVoteOhio

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: secure.everyaction.com/L_c13…

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 @SusanManchester (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. Representatives from Plastipak and @Airstream_Inc whose contributions helped make this child care partnership possible, also joined us for the visit. Thank you to our co-hosts, 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. #GroundworkohioRoadshow2026 #EveryStop #EveryStory #DrivingChange #ohio #childcare @OHCounties @CFShelbyCounty

Kindergarten readiness is about more than academics! 📚 In our latest Amplified Reloaded podcast episode, Dr. Wendy Grove from the @OhioDCY 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: youtu.be/JGwnGdXbLvY