Strengthening Family Access in Ohio: Step Forward’s Role in a Groundbreaking Fellowship Project

We are proud to announce that Samantha Whatley, Senior Manager of Head Start and Early Head Start Business Support & Performance, has participated in the prestigious Groundwork Ohio 2025 Leadership Fellowship.

The Groundwork Ohio Leadership Fellowship is a year-long, statewide initiative that equips early childhood professionals with the tools to become powerful advocates for Ohio’s youngest children and their families. Over the course of the program, fellows engage in more than 35 hours of professional development focused on leadership, policy, equity, and storytelling. Through keynote sessions, technical assistance, and small-group collaboration, fellows gain the skills and perspective necessary to influence systems and policy across Ohio.

As part of the program, fellows are divided into teams to explore solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing Ohio families. Samantha’s team focused on an essential but often overlooked topic: “Knowing Your Rights.” Their work explored how greater access to accurate, clear information about legal rights, childcare, food, and other essential services can empower families and strengthen communities.

To bring this vision to life, the team developed a public-facing website that serves as a centralized resource hub for Ohio families. This platform is designed to help individuals easily navigate support systems, better understand their rights, and make informed decisions for their families’ well-being.

Importantly, this project was supported by LORE, an initiative that elevates personal narratives to complement data and policy discussions. The stories shared by frontline professionals like Samantha amplify the lived experiences behind the statistics, grounding advocacy in the realities of those who serve children and families every day.

Samantha and her peers will graduate from the Fellowship on August 9, 2025, joining a growing network of early childhood leaders dedicated to making Ohio a place where all children can thrive.

To learn more about the project and the voices behind it, we encourage you to read their powerful group blog post: Raising a Family in Ohio: A Dream Juxtaposed with a Sad State of Reality.