If you are an employer of business leader

Advocate to elected officials and government for quality early education as a component of future workforce development. Offer early education and care benefits such as pre-tax flexible spending accounts or reimbursement for nearby quality care.

Earmark corporate charitable giving funds as investments in early education and care services and quality improvement initiatives such as the Early Childhood Education Alliance, Inc., Early Childhood Resource Center, or a nonprofit early childhood program.

If you are an elected or public official

Local funding is just not enough we need long-term support from state and federal government. Provide high quality, universal, and voluntary access to pre- school for all three- and four-year-old children and a full-day kindergarten for all five-year-old children in Ohio.

Incorporate early education and care information into state and local economic development materials.

Review how local quality funds and community block grant dollars can be focused on improving services to children, ages 0-8.

If you are superintendent or principal

Advocate for an expansion of state funding for public preschool classrooms. Provide space for preschool classrooms in neighborhood elementary schools. Develop supportive partnerships with local early child-hood centers.

Develop plans with local child care centers, Head Start, and preschool programs that support children and family transitions to schools. Take advantage of the flexible portion of Title I funding to expand support to pre-school age children.

If you are an early education and care professional or educator

Educate legislators, financial institutions, businesses, the public, and colleagues about the economic advantages of a high quality early education and care system.

Inform parents of the elements of quality early education and care and its importance.

Register staff and parents to vote, inform them of pertinent legislative issues, and provide educational materials so they can take action. Encourage your center to participate in the Step Up to Quality in Stark County.