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The Build Initiative in OHIO The Build Initiative is a multi-state partnership that helps states construct a coordinated early care and learning system that responds to the needs of young children from birth to five and their families, so that children are safe, healthy, eager to learn and ready to succeed in school. Build serves as a catalyst for change and a national resource on early learning. As a partner in Build, Ohio receives grant money and technical assistance to support early childhood system building. Background Ohio has a long history of early care and education initiatives. Historically, most of these programs and services have been developed and managed as independent efforts, with limited integration. The Build Initiative work in Ohio seeks to identify gaps that need to be addressed and to weave existing programs together into a comprehensive, statewide early learning system. This work is being led by a new entity, called the Build Ohio Alliance. The Build Initiative provided the impetus for Ohio´s key leaders in early care and education policy, advocacy and service delivery to begin working together in a more structured way. Early Learning Partnerships At the time the Build Initiative was launched in the summer of 2002, and Ohio became a Build state, early childhood organizations in Ohio already had been sharing information and collaborating in loose networks on a project-by-project basis. When the Build Ohio Alliance was established, existing collaborations grew to include the Ohio Departments of Education, Health, and Job and Family Services; advocacy organizations, public policy organizations, foundations, the Ohio United Way, early childhood associations, the Better Baby Care Campaign and more. System-Building Planning and Progress The earlier Ohio collaborations led to the articulation of a collective vision and the identification of specific policy changes that could move the state toward that vision. A set of recommendations, Strategic Framework: Building an Early Learning System for Ohio´s Young Children, was developed and published in early 2003. This long-term strategic framework for an early learning system included health, early intervention, family support and parent education, as well as early care and education. The fledgling Build Ohio Alliance used this strategic framework to develop priorities for the creation of early learning system infrastructure and as a guide to organizing work around building an early learning system. A small administrative board was established to identify common priorities, develop a collaborative process, and clarify the roles and functions of Build Ohio. Workgroups were formed in the three priority areas of early learning standards and accountability, professional development infrastructure, and public communications/public will-building. The Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA)is the fiscal sponsor for Build Ohio. Recent focus groups and a poll of voters have helped to assess support for early care and education and to lead toward development of communications messages. An economic impact study of the early care and education industry is underway, and a Build Ohio website has been established. A professional development institute is being planned to identify next steps in coordinating Ohio's professional development system. A voluntary quality rating system for early childhood centers is being piloted as well as a registry and the TEACH program to encourage training of early care and education providers. Preschool academic content standards have been developed for children ages three to five, and guidance materials for professionals and parents have been created. Support for programs to pursue accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is being explored. Challenges for the Future The role and functions of Build Ohio have crystalized over the past several years. The initiative now is recognized as the information clearinghouse for system innovations in Ohio and the connector for those working in the early care and education field. Build Ohio must continue to build trust among its many stakeholders, strengthen its communications to the business community and policymakers, and educate the public about the critical importance of early learning opportunities for Ohio's youngest children. To learn more about Build Ohio, please visit www.build-ohio.org or contact: Chris Stoneburner 614-481-3108 chrisstoneburner@sbcglobal.net To learn more about the Build Initiative, please visit www.buildinitiative.org, or contact: Barbara Gebhard, Project Director 304-776-2940 bgebhard@buildinitiative.org