DENVER — Lisa Armao thinks older adults have more to offer than people realize. That’s why she’s mobilizing them to step in to a field where staffing shortages are all too common. The Early Childhood Services Corps is a Colorado-based, non-profit group that recruits and trains adults 50-and-older to lend a hand in child care […]
Solutions Journalism
Posted inSolutions
From sensory rooms to buddy systems: How churches are building inclusive spaces for people with disabilities
NORTH CENTRAL OHIO — Attending church used to feel out of reach for the Wenzel family. A simple Sunday morning always required being apart. Malorie Wenzel said one parent always had to stay home with their 9-year-old son Grady, who is autistic and nonverbal. Now, Malorie and her husband can sit by side in service […]
Posted inEducation
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 […]
Posted inSolutions
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 […]
Posted inSolutions
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 […]
Posted inBusiness
Source Media Properties announces four newsroom promotions
Source Media promotes four key journalists to enhance local news coverage in Ohio.
Posted inEducation
Attendance tracking program helps combat chronic absenteeism
ONTARIO — For Chris Miller, the principal of Ontario Middle School, attendance has been one of his job’s biggest duties — and challenges — for the better part of 11 years. One of the biggest challenges Miller faced were attendance tracking programs that didn’t offer an easy way to see when students were reaching concerning […]