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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*
November 20, 2024




*MEDIA CONTACTS:
*Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
Nathan Takitch: 614-644-0957






*Governor DeWine Announces $5 Million Grant to Support Science of Reading Training for Early Care and Education Programs*

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—As part of his commitment to ensuring all Ohio children have the opportunity to build strong foundations for success, Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara B. Wente today announced the availability of $5 million in grant funding to support training for teachers at early care and education programs on how to harness the Science of Reading to enrich their young students’ literacy skills from an early age.

“Decades of research shows us that this method is the best way young brains learn how to read, and we know that the earlier a child can read well, the more success they will have in school and throughout life,” said Governor DeWine. “By providing Science of Reading training for those who teach and care for our young children, we will be empowering these educators to lay the groundwork for more of our kids to reach their full potential.”

Eligible child care centers, family child care homes, and school-age programs will be able to receive financial incentives for administrators and lead teachers who complete at least 10 hours of Science of Reading training. DCY will reach out directly to early care and education programs that are eligible for this grant opportunity with instructions on how to apply.

“The Science of Reading emphasizes teaching the basic building blocks of language, like phonics, to help children become confident readers,” said Director Wente. “Through this grant funding, we will be able to support more of our early care and education programs in using this proven method to make our kids better readers and better learners, ultimately helping them to achieve their dreams.”

The grant program is supported by federal funding from the Preschool Development Birth through Five Grant and the Child Care and Development Fund. This year marks the first time these funds will be used to incentivize early care and education programs for their teachers to be trained on the Science of Reading.

Based on the latest brain research and literacy development, the Science of Reading [ [link removed] ] is considered the most effective method for reading instruction.

Governor DeWine has long supported the implementation of the Science of Reading in all educational settings in Ohio. During his 2024 State of the State Address [ [link removed] ], the Governor announced [ [link removed] ] that all early care and education programs participating in Ohio’s Step Up To Quality [ [link removed] ] (SUTQ) quality rating system would be provided with access to curriculum aligned with the Science of Reading – joining K-12 schools and higher education institutions, which are already working to implement the Science of Reading for students of all ages.

Ohio’s SUTQ program helps families identify high-quality early care and education programs. To become quality-rated, programs must feature well-trained teachers and a strong focus on preparing children for kindergarten. These programs focus on meeting the comprehensive needs of children and allow families to feel confident they are choosing the best program for their child.

Trainings supported through DCY’s new grant initiative will count toward professional development requirements necessary for early care and education programs to receive a quality rating through the SUTQ program.

To search for early care and education programs near you, and to view their SUTQ rating, visit ChildCareSearch.Ohio.gov [ [link removed] ]. You can also find early learning family resources [ [link removed] ] through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce website.

This grant opportunity marks the latest of Governor DeWine’s comprehensive efforts to increase the quality of and access to early care and education programs throughout Ohio.

On top of enhancements to the SUTQ program to reduce burdensome administrative work and instead prioritize better child outcomes, the Governor also announced [ [link removed] ] during his State of the State Address a new Child Care Choice Voucher Program, which has expanded financial support necessary to provide child care for thousands of additional Ohio children. This program is helping to remove barriers to child care for more families so that working parents can continue to support their children, while also contributing to the state’s workforce and economy.

To learn more about DCY and its priorities, visit: ChildrenAndYouth.Ohio.gov [ [link removed] ].

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