OUR ADVOCACY
Advocating for What Works
Head Start helps parents stay in the workforce, supports children’s development, and strengthens communities across the state. But that impact depends on the decisions being made every day—at the federal, state, and local level.
OUR ROLE:
OHSAI coordinates advocacy across the state to ensure Head Start’s voice is clear, consistent, and heard—to inform the people closest to the work.
Why Advocacy Matters
Head Start does not operate in a vacuum. Funding, policy, workforce conditions, and system alignment all shape what programs are able to deliver for children and families. Advocacy is how we make sure those decisions reflect:
- Real experiences
- Real data
- Real outcomes
When programs, parents, and partners speak with a consistent voice, it changes how decisions are made.
Tips to Get Started
Use Our Tools & Resources:
Use Our Tools & Resources:
OHSAI provides practical tools to make advocacy easier and more effective. You don’t need to be a policy expert to be an effective advocate. You just need the right tools—and the confidence to use them.
- county fact sheets
- the statewide Head Start brief
- messaging tools and talking points
- testimony and storytelling guidance
- social media templates and resources
Start Simple:
Start Simple:
Advocacy doesn’t have to be complicated. Small, consistent actions build momentum over time.
Focus on Actions:
Focus on Actions:
Advocacy is not a single event. It’s an ongoing effort.
From meetings with policymakers to Advocacy Day at the Statehouse, OHSAI helps coordinate and support engagement across Ohio.
These moments matter—but what happens between them matters just as much.
Every conversation helps build understanding.
Every story makes the impact real.