Ohio Childrens Foundation

Programs: Technical assistance and grants to support services for children and familiesthe foundation awards grants to a variety of organizations whose programs and services enhance children's lives. Representative projects include a summer camp for children who have been affected by cancer; after-school, summer and mentoring programs to improve school performance; a pediatric dental clinic for children whose families cannot afford services; a summer camp for homeless children; creating a children's library at a behavioral treatment center; and a middle school serving disadvantaged latino families. The foundation also offers technical assistance to grant-seekers and grantees in areas such as project design, proposal development, and building community support.

advocacy the foundation leverages its resources by supporting local, state, and national organizations which are working to create a public policy environment conducive to the long-term interests of children. Initiatives include updating an educational web site for a national organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect; protecting state funding for home visits to at-risk children; increased state funding for pre-k programs; federal re-authorization of the miechv program; and obtaining medicaid reimbursement for home-based services. Foundation staff also serve on local and regional governing and advisory boards.

kindergarten readinessfuture academic success can be severely compromised when children do not have the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their first year of school. The foundation's support of readiness programs includes curricula using dance and movement to build cognitive and social skills; distributing culturally appropriate books for children ages six months to five years during well visits to a pediatrician's office; training teachers in brain-based interventions for young children who have suffered traumatic experiences; the publication of thousands of spanish language versions of the skill-building book, "you, me and the abc's"; and an array of readiness programs and activities for 50,000 children and families in southern arizona.