Vicki Giambrone – Child Wellness and Advocacy in Ohio

Announcements

Debe Dockins announced that 2,965 flags were distributed for Veteran’s Day. Thanks to all the volunteers. A special thanks to the Avenue of Flags committee members, Mike Brubaker, Bob Burkman, and Tom Novak for a very successful year.

Debe Dockins announced that two new committees have chairs, and each needs a co-chair. If you would like to volunteer contact the new chairs. For the Photography Contest committee contact Julie Noeth. For the Visual Arts Contest committee contact Deb Saunders.

Christy Gariety, Adopt-A-Family chair, announced that she is looking for 15 more participants for the holiday program. The deadline is 11/23/2020. Contact Christy if you would like to participate this year. It is easier than ever to get involved; you just purchase gift cards for children in need. If $50 is more than you want to spend, team up with another member to purchase a card together.

Social Media Announcement

Katie Calloway, Social Media chair, updated us about the Social Media Committee. Her co-chair is Diane Arehart. Katie said the Facebook page now has over 1000 followers. The committee posts about fundraisers and donations made by CNO. They tag organizations receiving the donations and tag the organizations of the CNO guest speakers.

How can you help with Social Media? Like the CNO Facebook page. Please also tag the club in your posts.

If you are a committee chair, please reach out to Katie or Diane to get them to place posts for your fundraiser or community event. They are working on having consistent branding of CNO across all social media platforms.

Annual Holiday Party on Zoom

The annual Holiday Party will be virtual this year. It will be Friday, December 11, 2020 at 6:30 PM. Everyone is invited and there is no cost to attend. The Christian D. Larsen Awards for lifetime achievement will be awarded to members of CNO. The ugly holiday sweater contest with prizes for originality will begin at 6:30. At 7 PM will be the Award Presentation. At 7:30 PM, there will be a Holiday Trivia contest.

Vicki Giambrone, CBD Advisors

Nancy Lehren introduced Vicki Giambrone a partner with CBD Advisors. Vicki is passionate about serving the needs of children. She spent nearly 24 years as VP for Strategic Partnerships and Business Development for Dayton Children’s Hospital (DCH).

Some have described Vicki’s work at DCH as legendary. Simply put, she can be described as an advocate and champion of kids.

Giambrone is a former mayor of Beavercreek, Ohio.

Some of the Awards Giambrone has received for her work

• Woman of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Southwestern Ohio
• Dayton Business Journal Power 50 (2015)
• Top 10 Women (Dayton Daily News) (2000)

Giambrone’s presentation today was titled, “Optimists can make a profound difference for Ohio’s children through advocacy! Bringing about the best for kids.”

A statement Giambrone mentioned several times today was, “Who’s for kids and who’s just kidding?”

You can view the slide deck here.

Giambrone was disappointed that during the recent election there was very little discussion about advocating for children. She was happy with the previous Ohio governor’s election because both candidates signed promises to support policies for kids.

To be a Champion for kids we need to learn, speak up and act.

How are the 546,000 kids aged 0-5 years faring in Ohio?

• 46^th in the nation in overall health value in the nation
• 1 in 4 living in poverty
• 1 in 3 Appalachian children living in poverty
• More than 1 in 2 African American babies living in poverty

Early Adversity has Lasting Impacts

One in seven Ohio children have experienced three or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES). This has a lasting impact. It leads to more injuries, mental health issues, HIV and STDs, chronic disease, alcohol and drug abuse, unsafe sex and reduced income opportunities.

Ohio’s Workforce crisis starts with kids not ready for school

• Only 41% of kids come to kindergarten ready to learn
• Only 44% of Ohio’s workforce has a degree or credential for available jobs
• Ohio needs to give all Ohioans an opportunity to succeed by supporting kids in their earliest years

How are kids aged 0-5 faring in Montgomery County?

• 33.6% live in poverty
• 61.9% of African American kids live in poverty
• 34% demonstrate readiness for Kindergarten
• 19% of African American kids demonstrate readiness for Kindergarten
• 22% of Hispanic kids demonstrate readiness for Kindergarten

How can you help Bring about the Best for Kids?

• Speak up for kids
• Become a Citizen Lobbyist and Child Advocate
  • Be Registered to vote and then vote for candidates who support policies for kids
  • Know who your legislators are
  • Be vocal with and contact legislators and other public officials about the issues that matter for kids
  • Write Op-Eds
  • Put information in your newsletters
• Join Advocacy groups or coalitions
  • https://www.voteforohiokids.org/
  • On twitter follow @vote4ohiokids, @speaknowforkids, and @First_Focus

Vote for Ohio Kids

Vote for Ohio Kids is a statewide effort started in partnership by Groundwork Ohio and the Ohio Children’s Hospitals Association – dedicated to advocating for policies and investments to improve child health and wellbeing so that we create opportunities for all Ohio children to thrive.

Vote for Ohio kids is driving a powerful policy agenda that puts Ohio kids front and center. We know Ohio children are best positioned for lifelong success if they are healthy, safe, connected, and ready to learn. See slide 17 for further details.

Ohio is about to create their next state budget. When its budget cutting time, they always start with the easiest targets. And kids are the easiest target because they do not vote, which is why kids need advocates.

Giambrone’s favorite quote is from Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Giambrone said she is thrilled about what CNO and Optimist International does for kids.

Comments after the presentation

CNO member Christy Gariety, a retired Kindergarten Teacher from Dayton City Schools, had a comment. There are resources in our area but getting access to these services and resources is very difficult for a lot of families. We need to think differently. Giambrone agreed that transportation is a huge issue. Giambrone then said she worries that with kids at home because of COVID-19 instead of school that abuse is still occurring but not being reported.

Giambrone said that Montgomery Count recently donated $2 Million for free internet for the next 3 years. This will assist 2000 families.

Thank you, Vicki Giambrone, for speaking to us today about child advocacy and children’s wellness in Ohio and Montgomery County.