Black History Month: Celebrating Black Babies, Toddlers, and Their Families
In honor of Black History Month, we invite Ready, Set, Soar Ohio coalition members to join us in celebrating Black babies, toddlers, and their families! We remain committed to advancing policies that support the healthy development of Ohio's Black infants and toddlers and promoting equity so that every child can have a strong start in life.
We encourage you to check out the following resources to learn more about promoting equity and supporting Black children's healthy development:
Event: Medicaid Maternal Health and Pregnancy Coverage
On Thursday, February 17 at 1:00 PM ET, you're invited to join the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families for the latest installment of their Medicaid Learning Lab series.
During this virtual event, experts will discuss the basics of Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pregnant and postpartum people, including federal requirements, state options, and an overview of recent efforts to extend postpartum coverage beyond 60 days.
With so much attention focused on maternal health and the need to address racial health inequities for moms and babies, this is an important opportunity to gain a firm understanding of the building blocks of maternal health coverage in Medicaid and how they can be leveraged to improve health outcomes.
New Study Shows Direct Link Between Poverty and Babies' Brain Development
Previous research has shown that growing up in poverty has an impact on children's brain development. But a new study goes a step further, demonstrating the cause-and-effect link between poverty and the brain development of very young children.
The groundbreaking study shows that anti-poverty intervention can change babies' brain development. According to the study, "after one year, infants of mothers in low-income households receiving $333 in monthly cash support were more likely to show faster brain activity, in a pattern associated with learning and development at later ages."
The study – Baby's First Years – is the first study in the U.S. to assess the impact of poverty reduction on family life and the cognitive, emotional, and brain development of infants and toddlers.
Job Opportunity: Director of the Center for Maternal and Young Child Health
Groundwork Ohio is seeking applicants to join their growing team as the Director of the Center for Maternal and Young Child Health. Applications are due Friday, February 11, 2022.
Groundwork's Center for Maternal and Young Child Health is focused on building and transforming systems that improve maternal and young child health, promote health equity, and prioritize prevention through policy development, research, and collaboration.
The Director of the Center for Maternal and Young Child Health will oversee Center activities and drive the Center’s work to improve outcomes for women, young children, and their families.
Job Opportunity: Community Engagement Coordinator, Center for Family Voice
Groundwork Ohio is now accepting applications for an exciting new role as the Community Engagement Coordinator for Groundwork's Center for Family Voice. Applications are due Wednesday, February 16, 2022.
Groundwork Ohio's Center for Family Voice is dedicated to authentically engaging Ohio parents and families with young children in the policies and practices that impact the healthy development of their children.
The Community Engagement Coordinator for the Center for Family Voice will provide critical assistance to the Center Director and support implementation of Center activities and the Center’s work to elevate the voices of families with young children in early childhood policy to achieve programmatic, policy, and practice changes.
The National WIC Association | National Policy Conference
Monday, February 14 through Thursday, February 17
Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies | Using Cost Estimation to Inform Child Care Policy
Tuesday, February 15 at 3:00 PM ET
The BUILD Initiative | Child Welfare and Early Childhood: Cross-Systems Collaboration to Improve Outcomes for Young Children and Their Families
Wednesday, February 16 at 2:00 PM ET
The Alliance for Early Success | The Benefits of Cash During Baby’s First Years: A Look at New National Research and New State Policy
Wednesday, February 16 at 3:00 PM ET
Prosperity Now | A Brighter Future with Baby Bonds: How States and Cities Should Invest in Our Kids
Thursday, February 17 at 12:30 PM ET
Georgetown University Center for Children and Families | Medicaid Learning Lab
Thursday, February 17 at 1:00 PM ET
Institute for Child Success | 2022 Virtual Nurturing Developing Minds Conference And Research Symposium: Strengthening Families
Friday, February 25 at 9:30 AM ET
Candelen | Addressing Anti-Bias and Anti-Racist Practices in Early Childhood Education
Saturday, February 26 at 11:00 AM ET