This is a letter that was sent out by 4C for Children’s President/CEO Vanessa Freytag to the communities served by 4C. We are committed to supporting the child care providers and children in the Miami Valley region. See contact information below.
Dear Friends of 4C for Children,
The Memorial Day tornadoes that struck the Miami Valley region were devastating. Among those impacted by the devastation are many child care programs who are struggling to regain their footing. 4C for Children serves as the state designated resource and referral agency for all licensed child care programs for 15 counties in the Miami Valley and the Cincinnati regions. In that role, we are asking you today to help these programs in their moment of need. Read More about Miami Valley Tornadoes—You Can Help! »
Parenting is wonderful and rewarding, but it’s also hard. To navigate through some of the difficult times, you need the support of other parents who are struggling with some of the same issues. So sometimes you may need a sounding board to brainstorm ideas to address your children’s challenging behavior. Or sometimes you may need someone to watch your kids because you have an appointment or want a fun night out with your partner. Or sometimes you just might need to share about your day with a person whose vocabulary extends beyond the phrase, “Cookies for dinner, please!” or make sure your child has a friend around their age to play with when you go to the park.
It’s time for summer planning! Have you decided whether your child will attend summer camp, child care, or be at home? 
Congratulations to this recent class of 4C Child Development Associate (CDA) Preparation Program graduates from Southwest Ohio!
“When we think about the economic growth of our state, the reality is that child care is one of the most fundamental components of our business infrastructure. A parent cannot go to work without a place for their child to be cared for.” 
In a world where children are “growing up digital,” it is important to help them learn healthy habits around using the many forms of media available to them. You may wonder, “Is my family too wired to technology?”
4C for Children is happy to welcome Emily Fay as the agency’s new Vice President for Agency Advancement. In her new role, Fay will lead the agency’s fundraising and development efforts and will oversee its communication functions.
Did you know that the concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) are all around us? You don’t need to have an in-depth knowledge of these subjects to introduce them to children. Families can naturally embed these concepts in everyday life. A foundation for STEAM is laid by helping children increase their awareness of the world and by encouraging them to think creatively.
Annetta Rutland is 4C for Children’s walking historian. Not because she is an avid reader of history but because she has lived and contributed to that history over the past 40 years as an employee—a rare accomplishment in today’s world where the average employee changes jobs every five years. 
Family child care providers have another tool at their disposal to help them earn a Step Up To Quality rating!