Governor announces initiative to better support Ohio children with special needs

10/23/2023

Last week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara Wente announced the creation of the Ohio Promote Resources, Opportunities, and Meaningful Inclusion through Support and Education (PROMISE) program. This is a new initiative focused on increasing access to quality child care and support services for children with special needs.

Ohio PROMISE includes the following components:

• New Provider Credential: The Professional Early Childhood Inclusion Credential will provide training and support for early childhood educators to create an inclusive environment for all children by increasing their knowledge, competency and confidence when working with children with special needs and their families.
• New Program Designation: The Inclusive Child Care Program designation will signal to parents using the state’s child care search tool that an educator in that program has earned the Professional Early Childhood Inclusion Credential.
• New Center of Excellence: The Early Childhood Inclusion Center of Excellence will provide access to materials and equipment for child care professionals and the families they serve, as well as training and technical assistance to early childhood and education professionals.
• New Scholarship Pilot Program: A new pilot scholarship program will be launched for children with special needs whose families live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level attending programs that achieve the Inclusive Child Care Program designation. For more information on how to apply, visit the Department of Children and Youth’s Inclusion Scholarship webpage.

Ohio PROMISE is supported through federal American Rescue Plan Act Discretionary Funds.