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Mayor's office outlines expansion of unified early-learning system and infant health investments
Summary
Rochelle Wardell told council Akron launched phase 1 of a unified early-learning system, saw enrollment increases despite high staff turnover, and will scale literacy training and a childcare business accelerator in 2026 while launching a hospital-linked violence-intervention program and an infant health fund.
Rochelle Wardell, the mayor's education and health strategist, told the city council finance committee that Akron launched phase 1 of a unified early-learning system in 2025 and will move to implementation and scale in 2026.
"This effort expands access to high quality early learning opportunities for children from birth to kindergarten entry," Wardell said, describing the program as a coordinated network intended to support families and working parents across Akron. She said national technical assistance from Start Early supports the system's design and that partnerships with Akron Public Schools and local industry will tie early learning to K–12 readiness and workforce exposure.
Wardell reported early indicators from the pilot: baseline enrollment among participating providers rose from about 44% to 53% through January. She also cautioned that the pilot experienced significant workforce churn — "those providers that are part of the pilot experienced a 54% turnover" — and said the city will focus the second half of phase one on addressing staffing shortages if it is to sustain quality improvements.
The mayor's office plans several 2026 activities: scaling literacy-focused professional development, launching a childcare business accelerator in partnership with the Greater Akron Chamber and the Early Childhood Resource Center, establishing a community learning center advisory committee with Akron Public Schools, and expanding Akron Afterschool programs.
Wardell described progress on infant-health work as well: the city secured funding and established an infant health fund to support neighborhood-based efforts in areas with the highest disparities in infant mortality. She also said the administration advanced a hospital-based violence intervention program to connect victims to services and interrupt retaliation cycles.
Councilmembers pressed for metrics and timelines. Wardell said evaluation partner Summit Education Initiative is tracking four goals (enrollment, workforce turnover, program quality and family service connection) and that a second implementation phase is expected to begin after the pilot concludes in August.
