COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Wednesday that the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services is receiving a $48 million federal grant to go toward increasing access to quality early childhood education and care.
The Preschool Development Grant - Birth to Five comes directly from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and will focus on the following:
- Increasing access and family engagement in early childhood care and education.
- Expanding 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 childcare 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 initiatives
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 largest group of Ohioans living in poverty are children aged five and under,” DeWine said. “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.”
Details on how to apply for the grant are available at the ODJFS website at this link: jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/Preschool-Development-Grant-B-5-2019.stm