Ohio Brings Nearly 700 Leaders Together to Tackle Foster Care, Infant Mortality and Early Education Crisis
Close to 700 state leaders and cross-agency teams from counties throughout Ohio convened at the second KIDS Summit to brainstorm solutions to improve outcomes for children and families.
The summit was organized by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth and centered on the theme “Driving Solutions: Collaboration, Efficiency, and Action”, and highlighted three priorities: infant mortality reduction, early care and education access expansion, and foster care entry reduction.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel were among the participants. Keynote speaker Maurice Clarett, emcee Jennifer Bullock and Groundwork Ohio, Findlay City Schools and the Department of Children and Youth representatives were also in attendance.
The diversity of participants represented policy perspectives, lived experiences, early childhood expertise and examples of local innovation, said organisers.
The summit underscored the need for inter-agency cooperation, between government departments, schools, community groups and others, to tackle issues that impact children.
The Department noted that the participants were urged to go beyond discussion and move towards solutions and action.
The event is part of Ohio’s broader initiative to improve early childhood services, support families and improve outcomes for children statewide.
