COLUMBUS—Mission: Readiness Ohio this week honored State Senator Jay Hottinger (R-Newark) with the "National Security Leadership Award" for his support of historic investments made in early childhood care and education in the state's operating budget, signed into law earlier this year. 

"I'm honored to receive this award," said Hottinger. "We know how critically important early childhood care and education is to the development of our youngest Ohioans. I am proud of the work my Senate colleagues and I accomplished in this budget to support our state's most vulnerable citizens¿— our children." 

The budget included an amendment submitted by Senator Hottinger securing $10M in FY 2020 for quality infrastructure grants that are to be used to administer an early learning and development quality infrastructure grant program.

The quality infrastructure grants can be used for quality workforce supports, professional development and technical assistance, facilities improvement, classroom supplies, curriculum and assessment.

“Fewer than 30 percent of young adults qualify for the military.  This is a national security challenge. Research informs us that high quality programs focused on infants and toddlers as well as pre-school can significantly improve their life outcomes and prepare them for service in the military or workforce," said Major General (Ret.) Paul J. Sullivan. “We thank the legislature for addressing this issue with historic investments in critical early childhood programs.”