Cleveland expands access to quality preschool improving kindergarten readiness rates

The Ohio Senate Health Committee convened on May 1, 2025, to discuss critical issues affecting health and education in the state, particularly focusing on early childhood education and public health initiatives.

The meeting began with a presentation on the "Pre for CLE" initiative, aimed at expanding access to high-quality preschool in Cleveland. Since its inception in 2014, the program has significantly increased enrollment in quality preschool settings from 25% to over 50%. This improvement has led to a notable rise in kindergarten readiness rates, with children attending these programs showing 20 percentage points higher readiness compared to their peers. The speaker emphasized the importance of maintaining and expanding these programs, urging the Senate to restore proposed childcare eligibility expansions and to reinstate funding for childcare choice vouchers, which had been reduced in the House budget.

Following this, Sarah Hudicek, coalition manager of Advocates for Ohio's Future, addressed the committee regarding House Bill 96. She highlighted the urgent need for funding to combat lead poisoning in children, noting that Ohio has one of the highest rates of elevated blood lead levels in the nation. Hudicek called for the restoration of funding for lead abatement programs, which had been drastically cut in the House budget. She also supported the restoration of childcare funding and raised concerns about proposed changes to the SNAP program that would increase administrative burdens on both caseworkers and participants, potentially destabilizing benefits for families.

The discussions underscored the interconnectedness of health and education policies, with both speakers advocating for investments that would support Ohio families and improve outcomes for children. The committee's deliberations highlighted the pressing need for legislative action to address these critical issues, with a focus on ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the support they need to thrive.