In October 2020, Ohio released its Whole Child Framework, which was developed as a visionary approach to education, placing children at the center of learning and recognizing that students thrive when their physical, social, emotional, and academic needs are met in a safe and supportive environment.
The framework resulted from collaborative efforts between the Ohio Department of Education and educators, families, and community partners across the state. It reflected a shared commitment to ensuring every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. Organizations like Honesty for Ohio Education and others deeply appreciated the state’s leadership in advancing a student-centered approach that acknowledged the whole child—not just academic performance—as essential to educational success.
However, in February 2025, the sudden removal of the Whole Child Framework from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s website sparked concern amidst federal and state attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This action signaled a troubling shift away from a comprehensive, child-focused vision of education and raised urgent questions about the state’s continued commitment to supporting all aspects of student well-being. While we appreciate the continuance of the Whole Child Advisory Group, it is difficult to determine if and for how long this work will continue in today's climate.
In response, Honesty for Ohio Education has curated and preserved the original resources from the Whole Child Framework and will house them on our website to ensure Ohioans continue to have access to this vital tool for supporting children, families, and schools across the state.
As always, we encourage all educators and policymakers to center children in their decision-making.
The framework resulted from collaborative efforts between the Ohio Department of Education and educators, families, and community partners across the state. It reflected a shared commitment to ensuring every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. Organizations like Honesty for Ohio Education and others deeply appreciated the state’s leadership in advancing a student-centered approach that acknowledged the whole child—not just academic performance—as essential to educational success.
However, in February 2025, the sudden removal of the Whole Child Framework from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s website sparked concern amidst federal and state attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This action signaled a troubling shift away from a comprehensive, child-focused vision of education and raised urgent questions about the state’s continued commitment to supporting all aspects of student well-being. While we appreciate the continuance of the Whole Child Advisory Group, it is difficult to determine if and for how long this work will continue in today's climate.
In response, Honesty for Ohio Education has curated and preserved the original resources from the Whole Child Framework and will house them on our website to ensure Ohioans continue to have access to this vital tool for supporting children, families, and schools across the state.
As always, we encourage all educators and policymakers to center children in their decision-making.
Resources:
View the entire framework
Read Ohio's Social-Emotional Learning Standards — full document | abbreviated summary
The Whole Child Toolkit from the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center at OSU includes tools for each area:
How districts in Ohio actualize whole child principles - KnowledgeWorks
Ohio’s Whole Child Framework: Services to students and families to support child behavioral health - KnowledgeWorks
What resources are we missing? Email Christina to share additional whole child supports that should be included on this page.
Read Ohio's Social-Emotional Learning Standards — full document | abbreviated summary
The Whole Child Toolkit from the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center at OSU includes tools for each area:
- Family Engagement
- Community Involvement
- Staff Wellness and Self Care
- School Climate and Culture
- Physical Environment
- School Safety
- Physical Education and Physical Activity
- Health Education
- Social Emotional Learning
- School and Child Nutrition
- Health Services
- Behavioral Health Services
How districts in Ohio actualize whole child principles - KnowledgeWorks
Ohio’s Whole Child Framework: Services to students and families to support child behavioral health - KnowledgeWorks
What resources are we missing? Email Christina to share additional whole child supports that should be included on this page.
