The COVID-19 pandemic exposed many gaps in public systems including policies and investments that have supported or undermined equity across systems and professions. Early childhood education is at the center of this discussion. As policies were determined for reopening and the distribution of recovery funding, family child caregivers were not given a seat at the table where decisions were being made that impacted their day-to-day operations, livelihood, and the families who they serve. 

To address this shortcoming, Groundwork Ohio partnered with the Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children (Ohio AEYC) to study family child care and to lift up their voice in early childhood policy decisions. (author abstract)