Ohio PROMISE: A Statewide System to Prepare Adults for the Needs of Children

Wendy Grove; Kathy Lawton; Troy Hunter

Ohio PROMISE: A Statewide System to Prepare Adults for the Needs of Children

Dr. Wendy Grove, PhD (Author) Ohio PROMISE, Ohio Department of Children and Youth, Columbus, Ohio
Dr. Kathy Lawton, PhD, BCBA-D (Author) Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Columbus, Ohio
Troy Hunter (Author) ElevateDD, Columbus, Ohio

Abstract

Young children with challenging behaviors and disabilities are disproportionately excluded from early care and education settings, a pattern seen across Ohio and throughout the nation. This exclusion impacts workforce participation and limits children’s access to the well-documented developmental, social, and educational benefits of high-quality early care and education. Over the past six years, Ohio has implemented a statewide initiative (Ohio PROMISE) designed to reduce exclusion and increase inclusive opportunities for young children with challenging behaviors and disabilities in early care and education environments. Ohio PROMISE is built upon five pillars: provider credentialing, program designation, a statewide center of excellence, an advisory committee, and child care subsidy supports. Initial implementation data across the Ohio PROMISE pillars are promising and demonstrate broad adoption of inclusive practices and strategies statewide. As Ohio PROMISE continues to evolve, the initiative remains focused on identifying innovative approaches to meet the changing needs of Ohio’s children, families, and early childhood workforce.Keywords: social-emotional learning, routines, caregiver responsiveness, framework, cultural responsiveness.

Keywords

Inclusion, professionals, Systems change

References

Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D., & Stavros, J. M. (2008). Appreciative inquiry handbook: For leaders of change (2nd ed.). Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

DEC Recommended Practices. 2014. https://www.dec-sped.org/dec-recommended-practices

ElevateDD/DSACO. (2023). Child care and developmental disabilities: Elevating the voices of Ohio families. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65bbfef65adf882f0951faf2/t/6606d8bf4c34db28160b7abe/1711724767763/Child+Care+%26+Developmental+Disabilities+Elevating+the+Voices+of+Ohio+Families+%282%29.pdf

Groundwork Ohio. (2024). Families of children with developmental disabilities face more challenges finding and keeping services. https://5880718d-c320-42e3-a037-25fa66c0bbc0.filesusr.com/ugd/d114b9_25e91a60d2d7444d9a879dfe9501678d.pdf

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq. (2004).

Jones, L., Graddy, A., Guzman Cruz, M., & Boros, A. (2025, June). Evaluating Ohio's child care capacity and ability to serve special needs: Results from a survey of Ohio's child care providers [Unpublished review, Ohio PDG Needs Assessment Project]. Ohio Department of Children and Youth.

Koegel, R. L., & Koegel, L. K. (2006). Pivotal response treatments for autism: Communication, social, & academic development. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Odom, S. L., Buysse, V., & Soukakou, E. (2011). Inclusion for young children with disabilities: A quarter century of research perspectives. Journal of Early Intervention, 33(4), 344–356. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053815111430094

Ohio Department of Children and Youth. (2025a, February). Accessible child care for children with disabilities. https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/v1746032334/childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/For%20Providers/REI/DCY_Issue_Brief_2025_-_02_Child_Care_w_Disabilities.pdf

Ohio Department of Children and Youth. (n.d.). A family’s guide to engagement. Ohio PROMISE. https://ohiopromise.org/family-guide-to-engagement

Ohio Department of Children and Youth. (2025b, March). Providing child care for children with disabilities. https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/For%20Providers/REI/DCY_Issue_Brief_2025_-_03_Child_Care_for_Children_with_Disabilities.pdf

Ohio Department of Children and Youth. (2025c, June). Child care services: Family survey insights. https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/For%20Providers/REI/DCY_Impact_Brief_2025_-_06_Child_Care_Services.pdf

Ohio Department of Children and Youth. (2025d, July). Impact Brief: Ohio PROMISE. https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/For%20Providers/REI/DCY_Impact_Brief_2025_-_04_Ohio_PROMISE.pdf

Ohio Department of Children and Youth. (2026, January). Ohio Kindergarten Survey.

O’Leary, J., Pattison, K., Grady, A., & Jones, L. (2025, June). Understanding challenges and opportunities in Ohio's B-5 landscape: Findings from interviews with community partners and families. https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/For%20Providers/Preschool%20Development%20Grant/2022_PDG_ECE_Interview_Report.pdf

Snyder, P., Hemmeter, M. L., & Fox, L. (2015). Supporting implementation of evidence-based practices through practice-based coaching. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 35(3), 133–143.

There are 16 references in total. Show More References

How to Cite

Grove, W., Lawton, K., & Hunter, T. (2026). Ohio PROMISE: A Statewide System to Prepare Adults for the Needs of Children. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 21(3), 49-54. https://www.aasep.org/article/view/647