COLUMBUS – More than 100 Head Start parents, educators, program leaders, and early childhood advocates from 29 organizations across Ohio gathered at the Ohio Statehouse today for the first-ever Head Start Day at the Statehouse, hosted by the Ohio Head Start Association, Inc. (OHSAI) in partnership with Groundwork Ohio.
Under the theme Uniting for Children and Ohio’s Future, participants called on state leaders to prioritize young children and families in the next state budget and strengthen Ohio’s early childhood system. The event featured a keynote address by nationally recognized early childhood policy expert Dr. Cynthia Osborne, powerful video stories (WORKFORCE – https://youtu.be/PKU7DD5w_e0) (CHILDREN – https://youtu.be/ewFqTCjeZg8)from Head Start parents, and the presentation of the Champion for Ohio’s Future Awards to six state leaders.
“Head Start works for Ohio – it powers our workforce, strengthens parents and children, and anchors communities in every corner of the state,” said Julie Stone, Executive Director of the Ohio Head Start Association. “As our teams met with 45 legislators today, we asked them to keep the Ohio Department of Children and Youth strong in the new administration and to keep Head Start at the table as Ohio shapes its early childhood policy.”
Head Start and Early Head Start programs serve more than 26,000 children and families across all 88 Ohio counties, while OHSAI’s 59-member programs employ more than 7,000 Ohioans. In addition to preparing children for kindergarten, Head Start connects families with health, dental, and developmental screenings, supports parents as leaders, and provides reliable child care that helps parents participate in the workforce. Without Head Start, Ohio’s child care gap would grow by 37 percent.
As Ohio prepares for a new gubernatorial administration and the FY2028–2029 state budget, Head Start leaders are calling for continued investment in young children and strong partnerships between state agencies and early childhood providers. Today’s meetings gave families and educators an opportunity to share their experiences with the policymakers whose decisions will shape Ohio’s early childhood system.
“Head Start teaches them. They mold them into what they can be, and kids are getting the foundation for not just now, but their whole life.” — Omar Hartley, Head Start parent
During the morning program, OHSAI presented its inaugural Champion for Ohio’s Future Awards to six state leaders recognized for their commitment to Ohio’s youngest children and families: State Representatives Andrea White (R-Kettering), Jodi Salvo (R-Bolivar), and Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus); State Senators Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield) and Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati); and Ohio Department of Children and Youth Director Kara Wente. Each honoree was introduced by a Head Start program from their district.
“Head Start is an essential part of Ohio’s early childhood system, supporting healthy development, strengthening families, and helping parents participate in the workforce,” said Lynanne Gutierrez, President and CEO of Groundwork Ohio. “As Ohio prepares for a new administration and state budget, we have an important opportunity to build on that foundation. The experiences shared by Head Start families today remind us that the most effective policies begin with listening to the people they impact. We look forward to working with state leaders and our Head Start partners to advance policies that give every young child in Ohio the opportunity for a strong start.”
“These six leaders have stood up for Ohio’s youngest children and the families raising them, and today we are proud to say thank you,” added Stone. “The decisions Ohio makes in the coming months will shape how our state supports its children for years to come, and we are committed to working alongside our legislators and state partners to make sure every child in Ohio has the strong start they deserve.”
As Ohio’s next administration and General Assembly prepare to shape the FY2028–2029 state budget, OHSAI will continue working with policymakers, Head Start providers, and families to strengthen Ohio’s early childhood system and ensure that investments in young children remain a statewide priority.
