th e ohio state university early head start partnership

2019–2020 Annual Report

The Ohio State UniversityEarly Head Start Partnership Program

2 l OSU-EHS Annual Report

from the director

It’s hard to believe five years have passed since The Ohio State University was awarded the initial Early Head Start Child Care Partnership grant. I am pleased to share that our collective good work has been approved to continue through July 31, 2024. As you will read in this 2019-2020 Annual Report, we continued to ensure that our partnerships between higher education, community agencies, eleven child care centers, and eight family child care home providers improved the quality of early childhood education and provided comprehensive services for 160 infants and toddlers in Columbus’ most vulnerable neighborhoods.

With the program year beginning in August 2019, our team worked diligently to enhance the lives of children and families. But our sixth year brought unprecedented challenges with a global pandemic and a national outcry to end systemic racism. This year has moved us to open conversations about race and inequality, pivot to working from home, and deliver services in new and unique ways. It has brought to light the urgency of quality early care and education for all children in a system that is fractured along racial and economic lines. Our EHS providers have struggled to keep their doors open while meeting COVID-19 requirements. Our EHS partners have curtailed their community services due to social distancing and CDC guidelines.

Amid this, there is hope. Our EHS families benefited from additional COVID-19 funding which provided desperately needed household supplies, essential personal items, and educational materials. Our teachers received creative hands-on activities and outdoor supplies. Through online solutions, our education team provided tailored, practice-based coaching with teachers to improve interactions in the classroom. We supported 400 educators with professional development to enhance their practices and further their careers. Our Family Specialists connected with caregivers to provide counseling services and resources including housing, workforce development, and financial security. We’re proud that 100% of EHS providers now have a 3-star rating or higher. And finally, all of us as Ohio State staff have committed to a renewed effort of challenging inequality. We remind ourselves to make decisions using an equity, not equality lens, and to prioritize the needs of those who deserve the most support.

Now more than ever we rely on the expertise, counsel, and support of our university and community partners. We are grateful for the guidance of our Policy Council and Governing Board who provide oversight for the program. And we are in awe of our teachers who during this pandemic continue to provide EHS infants and toddlers with safe, exceptional high-quality education and care.

As collaborators, our shared vision is to recognize that all children deserve the chance to learn, grow, and reach their full potential, and ensure that all children begin with equitable resources and opportunities. Please know how much all of you who play a part in our program are appreciated. We could not do this great work without you!

Sherrie Sutton, M.Ed. LPCC, DirectorThe Ohio State University Early Head Start Partnership Program

2 From the Director3 About the Program4 Provider Success6 Partner Support

8 Parent Engagement9 The Team

10 2019-2020 Budget11 Every Story Matters

table of contents

OSU-EHS Annual Report l 3

DID YOU KNOW?

EHS spent nearly $32,000 to help make life a little easier for those we served last year. We delivered potty training kits baskets for pregnant moms, and family baskets filled with household and cleaning supplies. We filled outdoor totes for our centers and family child care homes with outside summer play activities. We gathered personal care kits for women, and self-care items for our teachers. We made healthy snack packs for children and created home-based activities and literacy kits for our caregivers to continue education activities in the safety of their homes during COVID-19. Our Directions for Youth and Families partners provided parents with education focusing on challenging behaviors, and caregiver management strategies. They also purchased over $1,000 in gift cards and made nearly 200 deliveries of supplies, diapers, and wipes.

about the programMISSION:Through robust partnerships with university and community agencies, we improve the quality of early childhood education and comprehensive services for infants and toddlers in Columbus’ most vulnerable neighborhoods.

VISION:To ensure that all caregivers engage their children in life-long learning while strengthening their stability, economic outcomes, and well-being.

GOALS:• Increase opportunities for parents to become partners to encourage greater

involvement in the program and their child’s learning.

• Maintain existing community and university partners to provide high qualitycomprehensive services as well as identify any gaps to leverage newpartnerships.

• Create a professional development framework based on developmentallyappropriate best practices to enhance classroom quality and studentachievement.

• Implement data-driven decision making for continued quality improvementand growth.

28%of Franklin County

children between 0-5 live in poverty

80%of EHS families earn

less than $800 per month

51%of Franklin County’s

African American children between

0-5 live in poverty



provider successFamil y Chil d Car e Providers Teri Allen, 3 starsTrina Averette, 5 stars Alana Barnett, 3 stars Hattie Hudson, 5 stars Esther Jefferson, 5 stars Marcia Jones, 3 stars Cheryl Odom, 5 starsLori Wilson, 4 stars

Child Care CentersColumbus Early Learning Center – Champion, 4 stars Columbus Early Learning Center – Main, 5 stars Creative Child Care – East, 5 stars Creative Child Care – North, 5 stars Fresh Start – Broad, 4 stars Fresh Start – Vaughn, 5 stars Kid’s Care Academy, 5 stars Schoenbaum Family Center, 5 stars South Side Early Learning Center, 5 starsStarting Point, 5 starsYMCA Future Scholars Learning Center, 4 stars

Step Up To QualityChild care quality, accessibility, and affordability are critical concerns for families, especially those experiencing poverty. In Ohio, child care quality is regulated and monitored through Step Up To Quality, a tiered rating system that compensates providers with additional funding as they earn additional stars (1-5). A star rating ensures that a provider offers a safe, caring, nurturing environment for children. We’re proud that 100% of our providers have a 3-star or higher rating.

Ready for SchoolThe EHS approach to school readiness means that children are ready for school, and families are ready to support their children’s learning. Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development are all essential ingredients of school readiness. These goals are aligned to the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards, Creative Curriculum®, and the Quality of Caregiver-Child Interaction for Infants and Toddlers.

Little Green Thumbs Our child care centers and family child care homes are best when they apply an always-learning, always growing mindset. And it’s paying off. Kid’s Care Academy received one of 10 national 2019 GroMoreGood Garden Grants sponsored by National Head Start and Scotts Miracle Gro Foundation. The center received $5,000 in addition to garden tools, watering cans, pots, seeds, soils and fertilizers, plants, and curriculum.

The gardens have educated the youngest and most at-risk learners on the importance of healthy nutrition, biodiversity, pollinators and sustainability. Because many center caregivers lost their jobs due to the pandemic, the fresh produce also helps families experiencing food insecurity.

of EHS providers100%

have a 3-star rating or higher (on a scale of 1-5)


2019-2020 SCHOOL READINESS GOALS• Approaches to Learning

Goal: Children will make discoveries and initiate learning on their own.

• Social & Emotional DevelopmentGoal: Children will engage in positive relationships with adults and peers.

• Language & LiteracyGoal: Children will participate in shared interactions with others.

• CognitiveGoal: Children will use appropriate skills to solve problems.

• Perceptual, Motor and Physical DevelopmentGoal: Children will develop motor skills to participate in self-care routines.

Training and TranslationDuring 2019-2020, the EHS Education Team facilitated 70 hours of professional development to nearly 400 participants translating to 60 Ohio Approved credit hours.

In October, EHS Education Coach Latoya Jackson (right), presented at the Zero-to-Three conference in Ft. Lauderdale. Her session, “Fostering High-Quality Conversations with Infants and Toddlers: Lessons from a Coaching Model for Teachers,” featured EHS family childcare provider, Marcia Jones and included teacher and student conversation data collected during a six-week project using a modified infant/toddler version of Dr. Stephanie Curenton's book, Conversation Compass.

Research CollaborationLast fall, EHS partnered with Ohio State’s Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy through a $10,000 seed grant to support new research activities and within the program. Crane researchers, along with Schoenbaum administrators and EHS leadership plan to pilot Crane-developed Read It Again! Infant Toddler Curriculum within EHS center and home-based providers. The research project will provide a rich context to examine a potentially powerful book-reading intervention for low-income infants and toddlers in EHS classrooms.

Educator ExcellenceEHS home child care provider Cheryl Odom was awarded Action for Children’s 2019 Early Childhood Educator of the Year. Cheryl (pictured middle with AFC staff) has had a 5-Star Step Up to Quality Rating since 2014 and is the only provider in Central Ohio with a National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC) accreditation. Cheryl received a $500 check and supplies for her classroom, including toys and games.

400educators

participated in 70 hours of EHS

professional development


partner supportEnsuring that infants and toddlers have equal access to early childhood education and comprehensive services, takes more than one organization. That’s why the heart of our model is a strong collaboration with many partners. During 2019-2020, these partners provided vital services to EHS families:

• Action for Children – offers training and technical assistance to child care providers and assists FamilyChild Care providers pursuing Step Up To Quality rating. Assists families with finding child care.

• Center for Healthy Families – provides comprehensive services for pregnant and parenting teens.Refers parenting teens to EHS for child care.

• Children’s Hunger Alliance – assists family child care providers in meeting and maintaining thenutrition requirements for the Ohio Healthy Programs designation.

• Columbus Public Health – assists child care centers in meeting and maintaining the nutritionrequirements for the Ohio Healthy Programs designation.

• Community Properties of Ohio (CPO) – provides subsidized housing and supportive services to theirresidents including linkage to EHS for child care.

• Directions for Youth and Families – provides social workers who recruit, enroll and offer support toEHS families by connecting them to community resources including housing stability, workforcedevelopment, continued education, and financial security.

• Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities – assists in early intervention and support ofchildren with developmental delays. Provides training and technical assistance to EHS providers.

• Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services – assists families in applying for andmaintaining Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC). Provides training for EHS directors, agency partners,and staff to support families.

• Franklin County Family and Children First/Help Me Grow – assesses children with developmentalconcerns and creates plans to help families find a successful learning environment for their child.

• Moms2B – provides comprehensive support for pregnant and parenting mothers and fathers throughtheir child’s first year of life. Works with EHS to gain the trust of families to encourage enrollment inchild care.

• Nationwide Children’s Hospital School Health and Mobile Care Units – provides children access towell-child checks, immunizations and sick visits through twelve Primary Care Centers located in theneighborhoods where our families live. Offers two mobile units to go to the EHS child care centers tokeep infants and toddlers healthy and up to date on well-child checks and immunizations.

• Nationwide Children’s Hospital Dental Clinic – provides EHS children with complete dental examsevery six months along with parent education regarding oral health.

• New Directions Career Center – provides comprehensive workforce development and careercounseling for women.

• Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology – places undergraduate students inEHS classrooms to help them gain classroom experience and learn about the effects of poverty. Alsopairs dietetic interns with child care centers and family child care providers to assist with familyengagement surrounding nutrition.

• Ohio State University College of Nursing – reviews children’s health histories to assure they are upto date and not in need of any follow up.

• Ohio State Department of Speech & Hearing – provides EHS children with hearing exams and follow up.• Ohio State University Nisonger Center – provides developmental screenings for infants and toddler

suspected of having a delay, serves as a child development resource, and supports families throughthe referral and evaluation process.

• Ohio State University College of Optometry – provides EHS children with eye exams and glasses.• St. Vincent Family Center – provides early childhood mental health assessment and referral services

to EHS providers and families.


“Diaper DrivesUnfortunately, one in three U.S. families can't afford enough diapers to keep their baby clean, dry, and healthy. To help EHS caregivers, Ohio State faculty, staff, and students from the Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, College of Social Work, and Wexner Medical Center's Clinical Trials Management Office (right) donated 11,500 diapers last year. Although most childcare centers require parents to provide disposable diapers, EHS provides diapers at all our locations. Last year we purchased 105,000 diapers.

Sharing KnowledgeThanks to the expertise of EHS board member and Ohio State’s College of Nursing Associate Professor, Susie Breitenstein, Kids Care Academy was able to operate as a well-equipped pandemic child care center during the early months of the outbreak. Last April, Dr. Breitenstein took temperatures of children and staff, taught administers how to take proper temperatures, donated medical equipment, and distributed masks to teachers and administrators.

Clearer FuturesAccording to the American Optometric Association, comprehensive eye exams are recommended to infants six months and older to prevent issues that may develop with age. Our partnership with Ohio State’s College of Optometry ensures that EHS children have a brighter and clearer future. The pilot program began last October at Columbus Early Learning Center (Champion location) and Kids Care Academy with 20% of EHS children prescribed glasses through special funding from the college.

Student InvestmentEHS internships give college nutrition students the chance to test-run the knowledge they’ve gained. Through the guidance of Children’s Hunger Alliance and Columbus Public Health experts, seven dietetic interns spent fall semester working with providers reviewing menu selections and creating family engagement activities to better educate EHS parents on healthy meal choices at home.

CHILDREN IN THE OSU-EHS PROGRAM:

181 children received well-child checks

0% infant mortality rate within

the OSU-EHS program

181children received dental screenings

103 completed hearing exams

10%had developmental delays

251 number of children and

families served

179 of infants and toddlers

received vision screenings

100% average monthly

enrollment


Nationwide Children’s Hospital Mobile Care staff provides EHS children and their siblings' well-child checks, immunizations, and sick visits through our mobile unit that brings health care to child care

centers. We are committed to offering these free opportunities to those in our community who are in most need and are proud to collaborate with a program that continues to thread diversity, equity, and

social justice throughout their services while promoting access to quality health care.

Mary Kay Irwin, EdD, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Director, School Health Services, Community Wellness


Our comprehensive approach finds us not only working with children—but also with their caregivers. It’s one reason why EHS parents serve on committees, participate in classes and workshops on child development, and volunteer in the program. Policy Council is made up of parents who have children enrolled in program along with community representatives. These members are directly involved in decisions that improve overall program operations and gives them the opportunity to build leadership skills and advocacy experience in the field of early childhood education.

>Last year, EHS parents volunteered 9,916 hours to the program. <The Conscious Discipline Parent Education Curriculum strengthens the school-home connection by enabling our centers and family child care providers to offer caregivers solutions for social-emotional learning, discipline, and self-regulation challenges. It is a proven, research-based, comprehensive approach that empowers parents with skills that create a happier, safer, and healthier home environment.

Our partner, The Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy co-hosted a policy discussion at the Statehouse last fall to discuss quality in early childhood learning environments. The day included EHS parent and Policy Council Chair Allyson Eads (far left), who spoke about the critical need for affordable care for working families.

parent engagement

“9,916volunteer hours by EHS parents to the program

80%of EHS caregivers are employed

88%of EHS children live in single-parent homes

The partnership with Ohio State has been extremely beneficial for our children, families and our staff. The EHS program has provided us a support system that other owners dream of. We have so

many resources that saves our administration countless hours. The coaches for our teachers assist with lesson planning, professional development, and strategies to increase outcomes.

Parent advocates assist our caregivers with housing, referrals and support for the entire family not just the childen in the program.

As an owner and director I feel supported and encouraged to create an environment for families that can not afford quality care. Although we have valued service providers in the community, the partnership with Ohio State is different in that they respect the philosophy of our program

and make it clear that our mission is their mission too.

– Necole Sykes, owner Fresh Start Learning Academy



the team

Leadership

Michelle Dunlap, Grant and Fiscal Manager Don Fuzer, Principal InvestigatorLatoya Jackson, Education CoachStacy Orbaker, Education CoachSherrie Sutton, DirectorMelanie Tracy, Service Integration Coordinator Lisa Welsh, Lead Educational Specialist Jessica Woodruff, Data Analytics & Compliance Manager Erin Woodson, Data and Project Coordinator

Policy Council

Allyson Eads, ChairCaprice Hill, Co-ChairBrie Sparks, SecretaryJennifer Johnson, Community Representative Kamiyah MitchellMariyah Mitchell

Board

Melissa Martinez Bondy, LLPBricker & Eckler, PartnerSenior Attorney, Education Law

Yolanda Burgess, Chair Former OSU EHS ParentExecutive Assistant, SPPlus Corporation

Bernadette Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN Ohio State Vice President for Health Promotion, Chief Wellness Officer and College of Nursing Dean

Pat Bebo, M.S.EHE Assistant Dean for Outreach and Engagement, and Ohio State Extension Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences

Susie Breitenstein, PhD, RN, FAANAssociate Professor, Ohio State College of Nursing and Director, Community Outreach and Engagement

Melissa Johnson, BAManaging Director, Cameron Mitchell Premier Events and Ohio State EHE Adjunct Faculty, Hospitality Management

Elena Moore, MSWOhio State College of Social Work MSW Academic Counselor and Program Coordinator, CCAMPIS/ACCESS

Obie Stillwell, BAFormer Ohio State Football Player, ABC 6 Sports Commentator, and Business Strategist, Landid

Andrew Wapner, DO, MPH Assistant Professor, Ohio State College of Public Health Director, Center for Public Health Practice and Director, Master of Public Health Program for Experienced Professionals OSU-EHS Annual Report l 9


Over half of the EHS annual 3.6 million budget was distributed last year to our providers. These locations received funding for classroom environments, education curriculum and materials, books, toys, and playground equipment to improve the quality of education they offered.

Audit Opinion on Each Major Federal ProgramAn Independent Auditor’s Report, submitted through the Office of Sponsored Programs by PricewaterhouseCoopers concluded that The Ohio State University complied, in all material respects, with the types of compliance requirements referred to in the OMB Uniform Guidance that could have a direct and material effect on each of its major federal programs for the year ended June 30, 2020.

EARLY HEAD START BUDGET FY20 EARLY HEAD START EXPENSES FY20

2019-2020 budget

57%

15%

0%2%

1%

25%


57%

1%

25%

0%

2%

15%

PROVIDERS

OTHER DIRECT COSTS

PERSONNEL & FRINGE

TRAVEL & MILEAGE

SUPPLIES

CLINICAL SERVICES

* 0% is equal to less than 1% of total usage

OBJECT CLASS CATEGORIES FEDERAL TTA NON-FEDERAL

SHARE TOTAL

Personnel $453,576 $32,585 $0 $486,161

Fringe $143,330 $10,297 $0 $153,627

Travel $0 $7,248 $0 $7,248

Equipment $0 $0 $0 $0

Supplies $24,959 $0 $0 $24,959

Providers & Clinical Services $1,817,300 $2,600 $720,507 $2,540,407

Mileage $5,196 $0 $0 $5,196

Other $4,000 $4,300 $0 $8,300

Total Direct Charges $2,449,081 $57,030 $720,507 $3,226,618

Indirect Charges $367,362 $8,555 $0 $375,917

TOTALS $2,816,443 $65,585 $720,507 $3,612,535

57%

0%

16%

1%

0%

0%

26%

PROVIDERS

OTHER DIRECT COSTS

PERSONNEL & FRINGE

TRAVEL

MILEAGE

SUPPLIES

CLINICAL SERVICES

57%26%

0%0%

1%

0%

16%

Full CircleTeenage sisters and mothers Kamiyah (right) and Mariyah (below) Mitchell went to high school, worked, and took care of their young sons. Regardless of the challenges, the young women wanted more for themselves and their families. Early Head Start helped both boys attend Fresh Start Learning Academy so their moms could graduate. With guidance from center owner Necole Sykes and Directions For Youth and Families staff, they created a solid plan for a successful future, and Mariyah and Kamiyah moved from fast food to Fresh Start – literally. As Child Development Associates (CDA) in their boy’s school, the moms were able to improve their teaching practices and earning potential.

To expand their leadership skills, Kamiyah and Mariayh have been members of Policy Council which is comprised of EHS parents who provide insight and direction for the program. They also participated in the Chicago Parent Program, a nationally known program that helps culturally and economically diverse caregivers develop evidence-based parenting skills. Not only are Kamiyah and Mariayh a part of their sons' early education, but they are also teaching other children to prepare them for school and life as well.

every story matters

“Over the years, EHS has displayed excellent leadership skills in working with our staff, families, and community.

EHS professional development for our teachers has resulted in improved performance in data use, academic instruction, behavior supports and innovative learning

strategies in early childhood.

The EHS staff are effective communicators who have deep foundational knowledge of curriculum,

assessments, and teaching pedagogy. This has allowed our staff to lead and provide critical insight to student

and family development.

– Melissa Johnson, Program Manager,Starting Point Learning Center

The Ohio State UniversityEarly Head Start Partnership Program

175 E 7th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 / 614-292-7680 / go.osu.edu/goodstart

th e ohio state university early head start partnership

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