Groundwork Ohio

Thank you, Congressman Greg Landsman, for joining us in Hamilton County and for taking the time to hear directly from local leaders, providers, and advocates about the challenges facing young children and families. We appreciate you being part of our Roadshow 2026 conversation!

Great to stop by the Groundwork Ohio Roadshow for an important conversation about child care and what we need to do to support providers, children, and their families.

Join us for The Morning Meeting this Thursday, October 8, at 9:30 am on Zoom!

This week, we’ll be joined by Alicia Leatherman, Chief Executive Officer for The Childhood League Center.

☕Grab your coffee and join us for the latest updates, insights, and conversation on the issues impacting Ohio’s young children and families.

Register to join us: https://secure.everyaction.com/Ofdui3RysEyJ7ED5pYCATQ2

During our Roadshow visit to Lucas County on October 6, we spent time at Harbor in Toledo, where we sat down with staff and providers to learn more about the services they provide for mothers, babies, young children, and families.

Our roundtable conversation touched on early intervention, health care, infant and early childhood mental health, recovery, and the challenges providers and families are navigating in the region.

We also learned more about Harbor’s supports for mothers navigating recovery, including programs that allow mothers to remain with their babies and young children while receiving treatment and access child care and other services on site. We had the opportunity to speak directly with mothers in the program and hear about their experiences.

Thank you to the Harbor team for welcoming us and sharing their experiences, and to Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) for joining the conversation and hearing directly from providers about the needs of young children and families in Lucas County.

Josh Williams for Ohio Harbor

On October 6, our Groundwork Ohio Roadshow 2026 brought us to Lucas County, where we gathered at Laurie’s Place in Toledo for conversations focused on the experiences and needs of young children and families across the region.

Our first panel focused on prenatal and infant health, with 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. Thank you to Adrienne Bradley of ProMedica for moderating the conversation.

Our second panel turned to early care and education, preschool, and kindergarten, featuring Toledo City Council President Councilwoman Vanice S. Williams, owner of First Light Child Care Center; Julie Haas of Mom's House of Toledo; and Kevin Mullan Mullan Mullan of KPM Consulting. Thank you to Rev. John C. Jones President & CEO of HOPE Toledo and Groundwork Ohio Board Member for moderating the discussion.

Thank you to all of our speakers for sharing their perspectives and helping us better understand what families, providers, and communities are experiencing in Lucas County.

Today is the last day to speak up for Head Start.

The federal public comment period closes today, October 6. This is your final opportunity to weigh in on proposed changes that could impact Head Start programs, children, and families in Ohio and across the country.

It only takes a few minutes to submit a comment and make your voice heard.

Submit your comment before the deadline: https://bit.ly/4xuyuNU

Voting in Ohio starts TODAY!

Early in-person voting is now underway for the November 3 General Election.

Now it’s time to answer the next question:

How will YOU vote?

☑️ Early in person
☑️ By absentee ballot
☑️ On Election Day

Choose the option that works for you and make your plan.

➡️ Find your early voting location: https://bit.ly/3UGD5im

➡️ Request an absentee ballot to vote by mail: https://bit.ly/4qZCtjZ

Last week, Groundwork Ohio President & CEO Lynanne Gutierrez joined early childhood leaders from across the country for the 2026 Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center's Research to Policy Summit.

During a panel reflecting on state policy progress over the past decade, Lynanne emphasized the importance of centering families in the policies and systems intended to serve them:

“You don’t design a system for families without families.”

At Groundwork Ohio, we put that into practice through our Family Action Network, creating opportunities for parents and caregivers to share their experiences and help inform policy and systems change.

The panel also explored lessons from the past 10 years and the work ahead to build stronger systems for young children and families.

Watch the conversation and learn more about the report: https://pn3policy.org/summit-recording/2026-prenatal-to-3-research-to-policy-summit/

⏰ Last chance to speak up for Head Start.

Tomorrow, October 6, is the deadline to submit a public comment on proposed changes to Head Start standards.

Take a few minutes today to tell federal officials why strong standards and comprehensive Head Start services matter for Ohio’s children and families.

📣 Submit your comment: https://bit.ly/4xuyuNU

We’re taking the conversation on the road! 🚗

Join Groundwork Ohio and 4C for Children for an upcoming Roadshow community forum. Hear from community leaders and practitioners, share perspectives from your community, and help elevate what young children and families need to thrive.

The conversation will help inform our statewide Roadshow report.

Register now: https://bit.ly/4gwJHsa