$48 million awarded to Ohio for kindergarten readiness

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced on Wednesday that the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services is receiving a $48 million federal grant to go towards increasing access to quality early childhood education and care. 

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“The largest group of Ohioans living in poverty are children aged five and under,” said Governor DeWine. “This grant allows Ohio to better serve these children by creating stronger cross program coordination and higher quality programming in publicly funded childcare, public preschools, early intervention and home visiting that form a strong foundation for successful learning.”

The Preschool Development Grand - Birth to Five, which comes directly from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will focus on the following: 

• Increasing access and family engagement in early childhood care and education
• Expanding of child care for those with special needs, English language learners, and those experiencing homelessness.
• Creating long-term and sustainable local, state, and federal funding for early childhood education programs.
• Expanding marketing and outreach to increase family awareness of their potential eligibility and access to child care options.
• Preparing early childhood care and education professionals with culturally appropriate trauma training, credentialing, and parent supports.
• Making sure family members and other caretakers are key partners in grant activities, policy development, and new initiative

The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services will work alongside the Ohio Departments of Education, Health, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Medicaid and Developmental Disabilities to administer the grant. 

“The plans for this grant are expansive,” said ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder. “It will fund a needs assessment to determine the best way to provide safe and enriching early child care and education for young children with physical disabilities and emotional needs. It will also address workforce needs, family engagement, and the impact of trauma on the mental health of children, all to help them achieve their God-given potential.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on Dec. 12, 2022. 

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