Central Ohio Talent Network Invites Partners to Help Young People Succeed

The Central Ohio Talent Network is inviting organizations across the Columbus Region to help expand opportunities for young people, from early learning through college and careers. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel recently announced Ohio’s Regional Education Partnerships, a statewide effort to help young people get a strong start, thrive in school and move into college, training or a career. The Central Ohio Talent Network has been designated to lead the partnership starting in Franklin County and expanding over time to the surrounding region, as one of 12 partnerships covering Ohio’s seven JobsOhio regions.

Battelle Education is a founding partner of the network and serves as the network’s convener and coordinating organization.

Working together from early learning through careers

The Columbus Region has numerous organizations dedicated to early learning and literacy, school attendance and success, college access, workforce development and postsecondary credentials. A Regional Education Partnership allows for a shared structure that will connect these efforts day to day and help partners plan and measure progress together. Partners will regularly review regional indicators and data to learn from what is working and decide where to focus collective effort and investment. The Central Ohio Talent Network will use a “network of networks” approach to connect existing collaborations and help more young people benefit from the region’s educational and career opportunities.

Those indicators will help partners see progress throughout a young person’s path, from early learning and kindergarten readiness through reading proficiency, attendance, graduation and postsecondary or credential attainment for careers. Priorities will differ from region to region, and every partnership will use the same approach to recognize progress, identify opportunities to better support young people and measure the results of their work together.

“Ohio’s future depends on the success of our young people. By working together, we will identify challenges sooner, connect families with the support they need, and create more opportunities for Ohio’s next generation.” — Governor Mike DeWine

Ten supporting organizations and an invitation to join

The Central Ohio Talent Network starts with support from:

• Action for Children
• Aspyr Workforce Innovation
• Battelle Education
• The Columbus Foundation
• Columbus Partnership
• Columbus State Community College
• Educational Service Center of Central Ohio
• Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
• Ohio Excels
• The Ohio State University

Organizations, cities and Franklin County work groups are invited to join as the work gets underway over the next six months. New network members can help shape regional priorities and bring their experience to the table.

Interested organizations should contact Susan R. Bodary, senior advisor at Battelle Education, at [email protected] or 937.657.3453.

Building on the work already underway

Over the coming months, the network will map the region’s current collaborations and identify opportunities to connect and build on their work. Partners will then collectively set regional priorities and build a customized improvement plan that reflects partners’ experience and shared goals. Learn to Earn Dayton is the statewide technical assistance provider for all 12 partnerships, offering coaching, data tools and connections across regions.

The initiative was created by the Ohio General Assembly, introduced as House Bill 312 and enacted through Senate Bill 208. It is led by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce alongside the Ohio Departments of Children and Youth and Higher Education, and it builds on Gov. DeWine’s investments in early childhood, literacy and career-connected learning.

To hear more about the partnership’s work, sign up to hear from Battelle Education.