WHO WE ARE

Head Start works for Ohio.

It keeps parents working.

It helps children arrive at school ready to learn.

It strengthens communities by connecting families to the support they need to stay stable.

That combination—children, families, and workforce—is what makes its impact so powerful.

And it is exactly what Ohio needs.

The environment around Head Start is changing.

Programs are facing workforce shortages, rising costs, and growing expectations—all at the same time. At the federal and state level, policy decisions are becoming more complex and more consequential.

At the same time, the role Head Start plays in Ohio’s economy and communities has never been more visible—or more essential.

This is not a moment for business as usual.

It is a moment for clarity, consistency, and leadership.

The Ohio Head Start Association brings together leaders from across the state to strengthen programs and ensure Head Start continues to deliver for Ohio.

We focus on three things:

1. Supporting Programs - We connect leaders across Ohio, share what’s working, and help programs navigate real challenges in real time.
2. Advancing Smart Policy - We work with policymakers so decisions reflect both the value of Head Start and the realities programs are facing on the ground.
3. Strengthening the System - We elevate data, experiences, and outcomes to improve how Head Start works across communities and over time.

For many years, OHSAI played an important supporting role—connecting members and providing professional development.

That work continues. But the moment calls for more.

Today, OHSAI is stepping forward as a statewide voice for Head Start—bringing clarity to complex issues, helping members engage in advocacy, and ensuring Ohio’s leaders understand both what Head Start delivers and what it needs to succeed.

We are not here to add noise.

We are here to provide direction.

Head Start is a cornerstone of Ohio’s early childhood system.

Across more than 700 centers, it serves over 27,000 children each year and employs thousands of Ohioans—many of them parents themselves.

In many communities, Head Start represents a significant share of available child care for low-income families, making it essential not only for early learning, but for workforce participation and local economic stability.

Every dollar invested returns long-term value—for children, for families, and for the state.

The stakes for Head Start have never been higher.

Families are counting on it.

Communities depend on it.

And the decisions being made today will shape what it looks like for years to come.

OHSAI is focused on meeting that moment—bringing together programs, parents, and partners to ensure Head Start remains strong, relevant, and able to deliver for Ohio.