Grant targets help for babies, toddlers

COLUMBUS

Ohio has been awarded $10.5 million in the latest Preschool Development Birth through Five grant, recently announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education. Ohio is among 44 other states to have applied and won a grant, winning among the largest grants.

Ohio’s grant will be administered through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and aims to improve the quality of programming of early care and education serving children from birth to 5.

The $250 million federal program will enable winning states to conduct needs assessments, enhance parental knowledge and choice, plan strategically and improve coordination of care and share best practices among providers.