LIMA — Children swinging from jungle gyms, laughing during story time, hanging their newest creation on a nearby wall — that’s a typical day at Mercy Tots child care center in Lima, Ohio. The $3 million child care center was once an office supply store and, before that, a roller rink. Mercy Health, a healthcare […]
Solutions
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University child care centers: Where college students and kids learn together
DELAWARE — Allyson Reich did not always know she wanted to pursue a career in early child care work. When she enrolled at Ohio Wesleyan University in 2023, her major was undecided. It wasn’t until she took an introductory childhood education course her freshman year that she decided to change her major to inclusive elementary […]
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Low cost, high reward: How employers can reduce child-care woes, boost retention
Cheryl Snyder felt an obligation to advocate for working women when she stepped into a leadership role at Park National Bank. It was 1979 and she was the only the second female officer in the company’s history. Park National Bank was growing, expanding from a regional bank chain to a multi-state corporation. Bank leaders were […]
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Disabled veterans find freedom and community on the slopes
BELLVILLE — Gayle-Jayne Allyson glided down Mount Mansfield in a neon yellow helmet, ruby red lipstick and Kelly green bi-ski. She sat, strapped into the seat with her legs forward, and steered with two handheld miniature ski poles called outriggers. Allyson spent 10 years serving in the U.S. Army and Coast Guard, including during Operation […]
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Learning by leading: High schoolers teach preschoolers at Heartland Technical Education Center
ASHLAND — A chorus of preschool children’s voices filled the classroom at Heartland Technical Education Center. “Hello neighbor! What do you say? It’s going to be a beautiful day, so clap your hands and stomp your feet, so let’s bend down and have a seat.” Every day at Heartland Tech’s preschool starts with a group […]
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Diaper banks aim to eliminate a surprising barrier to child care
MANSFIELD — Raising kids isn’t cheap. Just ask Michelle Simon. The Mansfield woman is raising four sisters placed in her care due to their mother’s struggles with addiction. As a kinship caregiver, Simon is responsible for her youngest daughter’s child care costs, including $250 a week in tuition, plus diapers and wipes. Simon is raising […]
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Breaking down barriers, one pedal at a time for individuals with disabilities
MOUNT VERNON — Ohio ranks first in the country with 1,523 bicycling route miles. Knox County boasts 35 miles of paved bike trails. Roads and sidewalks in neighborhoods also offer opportunities to ride. However, for many individuals with disabilities, trails and neighborhoods are off-limits because they cannot ride a bike. I Can Shine seeks to […]
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The Sharing Shed: leave what you can, take what you need
ASHLAND — Megan Auer stepped up to feed people who were losing SNAP benefits in November due to the government shutdown. She hasn’t stopped since. She hosted a dinner for anyone who needed a free meal on Nov. 1 and 100 people showed up. She hosted another dinner on Nov. 28. She estimates 500 people came. […]
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From payroll deductions to ‘sin taxes,’ states try different ways to fund child care
Low wages. Lack of access. Skyrocketing costs. All of these contribute to what has become a child care crisis. Not just in Ohio, but nationwide. Since June, our solutions series, It Takes A Village, has chronicled the stories of parents, child care providers, and educators who are grappling with the realities of child care and […]
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Ohio PROMISE helps child care providers open doors for children with special needs
MANSFIELD — When a child struggles to speak, it can cause them to grow restless and frustrated when they’re unable to communicate their needs. Situations like that are common in preschool settings, but at Madison Early Childhood Learning Center, staff are learning new strategies to help children express themselves. “We have posters up with sign […]