Ohio Valley Educational Service Center (OVESC) Executive Director of Preschool and Administrative Services Joy Edgell recently provided testimony before the Ohio House Education Committee in support of House Bill 455 (HB 455) — legislation focused on strengthening early childhood education (ECE) funding and expanding opportunities for families across Ohio.
Edgell joined Craig Buford, Executive Director of the Ohio Educational Service Center Association, and Sara Rice, Executive Director of the South Central Ohio ESC, in presenting testimony on behalf of ESCs statewide. Buford commended Representative Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) and Representative Adam Bird (R-Cincinnati) for championing HB 455, which seeks to modernize Ohio’s education code and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on schools and districts.
In his remarks, Buford highlighted two key ECE changes in HB 455 that have received strong support from the education community:
Collaborative Eligibility Determination: The bill allows education professionals — those with direct knowledge of child development and family circumstances — to play a role in determining eligibility for the Early Childhood Education Grant Program.
Family Flexibility and Choice: Families would have the freedom to choose the educational setting that best meets their child’s needs, rather than being limited to a single option or funding pathway.
In her testimony, Edgell emphasized that “child care” and “preschool education” are both vital but distinct services for Ohio families. She noted that public preschool programs operate under rigorous educational standards and curricula implemented by licensed educators in school settings. These programs often provide transportation, and many families choose them for their accessibility, familiarity, and alignment with their older children’s schedules.
Edgell also praised the recent rollback of restrictive ECE eligibility policies — reversed on October 7, 2025 — which had caused many families to receive denial letters earlier in the year. However, she cautioned that the long-term permanency of this policy change remains uncertain.
Rice echoed those concerns, expressing hope that HB 455 would restore the ability of school districts and local educational agencies to collaboratively qualify students, enabling faster and more equitable access to preschool services. She also described the current Job and Family Services eligibility process as overly burdensome, noting that it has caused delays and denials for many families — particularly those in rural Appalachian communities.
OVESC is proud of the work and advocacy of Joy Edgell and the Ohio ESC network in ensuring that every child in Ohio has access to high-quality early learning opportunities.