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

Dr. Wendy Grove, PhD, Dr. Kathy Lawton, PhD, BCBA-D, Troy Hunter
JAASEP 21(3) (2026) 49-54

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.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.647