Empowering Ohio’s Future: Join Groundwork Ohio’s Advocacy for Early Childhood Development
Are you passionate about making sure children get started on the right foot in life? Consider joining the advocacy efforts of Groundwork Ohio.
According to the website, Groundwork Ohio is a nonpartisan, statewide advocacy organization dedicated to improving early childhood health and education outcomes for children from birth to age 5. It promotes high-quality early care, policy changes, and investment to support families, aiming to make Ohio a premier state for child development.
Key aspects of Groundwork Ohio include:
- Policy & Advocacy: Focuses on early learning, healthcare access, and preventing early childhood trauma.
- Family Action Network (FAN): Empowers parents and caregivers to participate in policy decisions.
- Coalition Building: Connects partners across the state to advocate for young children and economic stability.
- Research-Based Initiatives: Utilizes data to highlight the importance of investing in early childhood, such as the Heckman equation. Developed by Nobel Laureate economist James Heckman, the equation demonstrates that investing in high-quality early childhood programs for disadvantaged children results in the highest returns for society, reducing long-term social costs in education, health, and the justice system, per www.heckmanequatiom.org.
People can advocate for Groundwork Ohio by joining the Family Action Network (FAN), attending free webinars/virtual meetings, participating in the Momentum Institute, or completing the RAPID survey. Advocates can also utilize advocacy toolkits to engage with policymakers, donate to support initiatives, or join advisory councils.
Here are specific ways to get involved:
- Family Action Network (FAN): Parents and caregivers of children aged 0-5 can join to share their stories and influence policy.
- Advocacy Training & Toolkits: Access resources to help you contact state legislators, build relationships with policymakers, and understand key issues.
- Weekly “Morning Meetings”: Participate in virtual, weekly meetings to stay informed on early childhood policy and connect with advocates.
- Events and Advocacy Days: Attend the Momentum Institute or Advocacy Day at the Statehouse to engage directly with leaders.
- Action Alerts & Surveys: Sign up for their newsletter and complete surveys to provide data that informs policy.
- Donations: Support the organization financially to advance early childhood education and health initiatives.
The Ohio Groundwork RAPID survey is a partnership with the national RAPID Survey Project that collects, in real-time, actionable data from Ohio parents and caregivers of children ages 0-5. It focuses on economic security, childcare, and health to inform policy, with findings showing high rates of difficulty finding child care, with nearly 60% finding it unaffordable.
Key details about the Groundwork Ohio RAPID survey include:
- Purpose: To amplify the voices of parents, particularly regarding the needs and well-being of young children, to drive policy and advocacy efforts.
- Target Audience: Parents and caregivers with at least one child between the ages of zero and five.
- Key Topics: Economic security, maternal and child health, and early learning.
- Impact: Survey data has highlighted that 1 in 3 Ohio parents struggle to find childcare, with nearly 60% reporting it is not affordable. Additionally, nearly 1 in 5 parents reported missing a well-child visit, often due to work conflicts or cost.
- Data Collection: The survey is conducted on an ongoing basis to provide timely information.
- Incentive: Participants may receive a $5 gift card for their time.
The data collected helps to inform policymakers, advocates, and the public about the challenges facing Ohio families.
The Groundwork Ohio Advocacy Toolkit is a comprehensive digital resource designed to empower early childhood professionals, families, and community members to advocate for policies supporting children from birth to age five. It provides actionable tools, such as finding legislators, crafting, and then delivering testimony.
Key components of the toolkit include:
- Legislator Engagement: Step-by-step guides on how to contact, email, and schedule site visits with Ohio legislators to showcase the importance of early childhood programs.
- Advocacy Training: Resources for effective communication, including tips for writing op-eds, delivering testimony, and using data to support arguments for early learning and health.
- Actionable Resources: Tools to help stakeholders advocate for Groundwork Ohio’s priorities, which include early care and education, health care access, and trauma prevention.
- Family & Community Focus: Information aimed at empowering families and professionals to share their personal stories to influence policy.
The toolkit is designed to turn advocacy into a movement by providing the necessary support for effectively influencing public policy in Ohio.
Groundwork Ohio offers a comprehensive approach to improving the lives of young children and their families statewide by promoting robust advocacy efforts and providing essential resources. Whether through the Family Action Network, the RAPID survey, or the Advocacy Toolkit, Groundwork Ohio equips individuals and communities with the tools they need to make a lasting impact. By becoming an advocate, participating in events, or donating, you can help shape a future where every Ohio child has access to high-quality early education and healthcare.
Join Groundwork Ohio in their mission to create a brighter tomorrow for the youngest members of our society. Together, we can ensure that Ohio becomes a leader in early childhood development and support.