The 5 Pillars of Ohio PROMISE
Professional Early Childhood Inclusion Credential (PECIC)
There are three levels of the PECIC credential beginning with understanding, moving to knowledge and a third level focused on application of inclusive practices so that all professionals may create inclusive and accessible environments for all young children.
Inclusive Child Care Program (ICCP) Designation
The designation is available to all licensed child care centers, family child care programs, and preschool and school-age programs.
Early Childhood Inclusion Center of Excellence (CoE)
The CoE provides innovative resources, professional development, and practice-based consultation and coaching to early care and education professionals and families throughout the state.
Child Care Choice Program Voucher
The voucher is available for families who are over income for the state’s Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) and whose gross monthly income is between 146 - 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. This voucher program is part of a larger initiative focused on increasing access to quality child care and financial support services for families towards child care costs.
Ohio PROMISE Advisory Council
The Ohio PROMISE Advisory Council exists to advise and assist in development, progress, and evaluation review of information gathered from any of the core components of the initiative as well as identify, review, and recommend next steps in programming to further movement in realizing the vision that “Each Ohioan, from birth, has a strong foundation of support, acceptance, and empowerment where they live, play, learn, and work.”
- Jody Beall, Preschool Special Education
- Theresa Brown, Ph.D., Early Childhood Consultant
- Latasha Collins, Parent Representative
- Melissa Courts, Early Intervention
- Ashley & Jordan Dale, Parent Representatives
- Lynne Fogel, Parent Consultant
- Wendy Grove, Ph.D., State Administrator
- Troy Hunter, Director of Research, Evaluation, and Performance
- Lisa Hickman, Ph.D., Executive Director
- Kristen Hickman, Senior Legal Associate
- Bonnie Hubbard-Nicosia, Children’s Health Policy Administrator
- Kari Jones, President & CEO
- Kathy Lawton, Ph.D., Director
- Heather Malone, Special Education
- Yolanda Mahoney, Early Childhood Center Support Supervisor
- Kathy Muehlbauer, Program Administrator, Child Care
- Quinella Murphey, Parent Representative
- Alice Marie Ohlin, Provider of Early Care and Education
- Tracy Pohlabel, Provider of Early Care and Education
- Erin Simmons, Parent Representative
- Julie Stone, Executive Director
- Megan Surso, ELP Director/Coordinator of Special Education
- Erica Wallace, Children and Families Advisor
- Stephanie Weber, Psy.D., Assistant Professor in Clinical Pediatrics Training Director
- December West, Parent Consultant
“Inclusion is what is right for kids. In life, we come across all kinds of people and by opening our hearts, minds, and places fully, we create the kinds of spaces for living, learning, and playing that make each child and adult feel welcome to live, learn, and play wholly.”
— Wendy Grove, Ph.D.,
Senior Advisor for Research, Evaluation, and Impact
