News   |   Sign Up   |   A LEVER FOR SCALE

Ohio Expands Access to Early Childhood Mental Health Services

In an effort to further support the health and wellbeing of Ohio’s youngest children, Governor DeWine recently announced grant awards to expand early childhood mental health services across the state. Early childhood mental health (ECMH) refers to the social, emotional, and behavioral wellbeing of young children and their families, including the ability to understand and express emotions, form healthy attachments, and feel confident exploring their environment.

As children mature, early childhood mental health supports growth in other essential areas of development including physical health, cognitive skills, language and literacy, social skills, and readiness for school.

  • Kids who exhibit strong social and emotional skills are 54% more likely to earn a high school diploma.

  • Kids who share or are helpful in kindergarten are 46% more likely to have a full-time job at the age of 25.

Through the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, and the Governor’s Office of Children’s Initiatives, nearly $1 million in grants were awarded to 12 mental health providers across the state. This large investment will allow more families to access mental health services for their young children during one of the most crucial times of brain development. To learn more about the awards, check out the Governor’s press release.

Stay in the loop by joining the Alliance news and invitations list: