CLEVELAND — MyCom, a network of neighborhood-based youth services providers, argued that the recently proposed changes to Ohio’s Step Up to Quality system would result in reduced quality care in childhood care and education.
The Ohio Senate’s version of the budget removes the mandate that providers in the system be rated three stars or higher in the Step Up to Quality incentive program by June 30, 2025. The version also removes the requirement that a provider be rated in the program to offer publicly funded care.
The elimination of these points will result in poor quality standards in education, social, and emotional components in education service.
The educators, staff, administrators, and those who worked in the education service will also lose their resources and capacity in serving Ohio’s families since many of them were relying on the additional incentives of the program.
The organization urges the State Senate to cancel the plan to change Step Up to Quality’s standard and focus more on developing early education workforce service. It asserts that this is not the right time to disinvest in quality and move backward, particularly after a year of crisis.
The organization also emphasized the program as the framework for the system that gives the supports or benefits, and providers need and get to support early childhood development.
The nonprofit urges the public to contact their senator by visiting the site https://www.oanohio.org/contact-legislators and click the “Contact your State Legislator” option.
MyCom needs as many calls to the senate members by June 16, 2021.