ABC's and 123's:

Angie Daniels, Director of Family and Community Engagement 

“Action for Children’s partnership with the United Way of Licking County (UWLC) exemplifies the power of collaboration in strengthening families; especially those in ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households. Through this community partnership, Action for Children provides parents with essential tools, knowledge, and resources to promote family well-being. Our hands-on workshops equip parents with the skills they need to build a nurturing and supportive environment for their children. By combining AFC’s expertise in parent education with United Way of Licking County’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by ALICE families, we ensure that working parents in Licking County have access to high-quality learning opportunities. By offering accessible education and practical strategies, we empower parents to create stable, enriching home environments while navigating life’s demands. Our partnership with UWLC highlights how organizations in central Ohio can work together to create brighter futures for children and families, particularly by equipping parents with the tools and knowledge they need to confidently navigate their parenting journey!”

“I was ordered to take the class and dreaded every minute until I began the class.  I learned a wealth of information and I’m sincerely happy that I completed it. I know I’ll likely never see any of the people that were in the class again, but the honesty that we all shared with our positive and negatives truly allowed for self-reflection and I hope and wish all the best for my classmates.” – Stacee, Licking County Parents Who Parent Separately (PWPS) participant

Emily Van Fossen, Early Care and Education Business Partnerships Coordinator

“Action for Children is helping businesses of all sizes explore and implement child care benefits that meet their workforce needs through our new Early Care and Education Business Partnerships program. Our team provides consultations and hands-on support to companies looking to offer child care benefits to employees in Franklin and Licking counties. Action for Children helps connect employers to child care programs in their area to establish a plan, and with the help of a financial match provided by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY), businesses in the program are able to ramp up their capacity and pilot a custom-designed benefits program over the course of three years. This exciting partnership with DCY, families, local employers, and child care programs demonstrates how multiple organizations can work together to solve a multi-faceted challenge and ultimately strengthen an entire community.”

Dr. Kat Glenn-Applegate, Director of Child Care and Education Initiatives

“Action for Children’s Provider Advisory Council (PAC) is comprised of early care and education professionals throughout central Ohio, representing a wide range of program types and sizes. The PAC provides critical feedback and insight into Action for Children’s current and potential programming for early care and education professionals and programs. This partnership between AFC and child care professionals helps ensure our supports and services are accessible and in-line with the evolving needs of the community. In the past, PAC members have helped us gather feedback through surveys and focus groups and provided commentary on early versions of AFC’s Central Ohio Child Care Professional Survey reports. PAC members also serve as champions for Action for Children in their professional circles, letting others know of the myriad of free or low-cost supports available to licensed child care professionals in central Ohio.”

“The Provider Advisory Council is a powerful example of authentic partnership—bringing provider voices to the table ensures that decisions are informed by real-world experience and rooted in the needs of young children and families. One of the greatest strengths of the Provider Advisory Council is its ability to bridge perspectives—creating a space where providers and decision-makers collaborate, learn from each other, and co-create solutions that truly support early childhood.” — Leanna Jackson, PAC Member and Founder of Chosen Kids Learning Center in Reynoldsburg