Every once in a while, a policymaker says something that signals a real shift, not in ideology but in readiness. Senator Jon Husted’s op-ed on benefits cliffs is one of those moments.

If you know me, you know I decorate for Christmas early. Really early. By the first week of November, my house is fully done inside and out — not a surface left untouched. I’ve always loved it. My mom did too.

As the year draws to a close, I keep returning to a simple truth that I wish every early childhood advocate could feel in their bones. You accomplished something remarkable this year.

Last week, I attended the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) Winter Conference—a gathering I always look forward to. These convenings let us step outside our own counties for a few days and focus on learning, listening, and comparing notes about how we’re solving problems back home.