Ohio AAP CEO, Melissa Wervey Arnold, helped launch the new initiative Ready, Set, Soar Ohio earlier today at the Ohio Statehouse. Ready, Set, Soar is a coalition of nearly 60 partners made up of education, health, civic, community, and policy leaders who are working together to ensure Ohio’s pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and their families have the support and necessary means to reach their full potential! Too often children are being left behind often as a result of their family’s zip code and income level. Because 95% of brain development occurs between birth and 5 years of age, problems not addressed early can lead to negative lifelong consequences. By working to close this gap now we can help Ohio’s children succeed in school, in their careers, and throughout the rest of their lives.
Ready, Set, Soar is proposing policy framework that aligns the science and research with state policy, so all Ohioans are set up for success. Investing in evidence-based interventions at a young age results in better birth outcomes, improved kindergarten readiness, higher graduation rates, and stronger, happier families! To learn more about the program and how you can help, visit www.ReadySetSoarOH.org.