We are grateful to share with you that the future of Step Up To Quality is bright! The State of Ohio budget process has concluded, and some of the changes that had originally been proposed that would have dismantled SUTQ have been removed from the state’s budget. The requirement for those that serve children receiving state assistance to obtain a Step Up To Quality rating will remain in place. Read More about State of Ohio Budget Update: Good news! »
Articles under Community
Act Now to Save SUTQ!
The future of Step Up To Quality—and the ripple effect it has had over the past 10 years on the growth and stabilization of our community’s educational and economic infrastructure—is at risk. Read More about Act Now to Save SUTQ! »
24,000 Children in Southwest Ohio and the Miami Valley Need Your Voice
Today, the future of Step Up To Quality—and helping children get that best possible educational foundation—is at risk. The changes to Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) and other state support for child care in the current version of the State of Ohio Budget will reduce the number of programs able to participate in SUTQ.
The investment in quality child care has changed the game for more than 24,000 children in Southwest Ohio and Miami Valley whose families are receiving state assistance for child care. Read More about 24,000 Children in Southwest Ohio and the Miami Valley Need Your Voice »
Advocacy Alert: Make Your Voice Heard
4C for Children is partnering with organizations across the state such as Groundwork Ohio, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Montgomery County Preschool Promise, and many others, to share the following message: Read More about Advocacy Alert: Make Your Voice Heard »
Child Care Start Up Funds Allocated
A Note from 4C for Children President/CEO Vanessa Freytag:
For the past several weeks, 4C for Children has worked with members of the Cincinnati City Council to advocate for additional support for and expansion of child care programs in the community. As a result, $1 million of the approximately $279 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal stimulus funds earmarked for Cincinnati have been allocated to a Child Care Startup Fund, which would provide critical resources and start-up funding for potential child care providers. Read More about Child Care Start Up Funds Allocated »
Submit Your Proposal: Present At Our Conference!
The annual 4C for Children Leadership & Early Childhood Conference will take place October 22-23, 2021. Read on for how you can be involved in this exciting annual event! Read More about Submit Your Proposal: Present At Our Conference! »
Nutritious Meals for Children in Child Care
National Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Week is celebrated annually in March to raise awareness of how this USDA-administered program works to combat hunger by bringing healthy food to children in child care. In Southwest Ohio and the Miami Valley, 4C for Children oversees this federal program for licensed family child care providers and child care centers.
Read More about Nutritious Meals for Children in Child Care »
4C for Children Receives L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation Grant
4C for Children has received a $100,000 grant from the L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation to ensure that local child care providers can access the coaching and training resources they need to increase their Ohio Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) ratings in accordance with state goals This is critical support for programs as they continue to care for and educate the youngest children in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant funds will directly support child care providers involved in 4C for Children’s Advancing to High Quality program. Read More about 4C for Children Receives L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation Grant »
#KidsAreEssential
Our country is at a tipping point, and our children’s futures are at stake. As the nation attempts to recover and rebuild from COVID-19, we must focus on the needs of children and their families—particularly in the prenatal to three period—or we risk creating a generation of children further behind than any other in recent history. That is why we’re joining national organizations in the launch of #KidsAreEssential. Read More about #KidsAreEssential »
Update: Our Pandemic Response
This has been an incredibly unpredictable and difficult year as the pandemic has impacted each of us and our community in different and profound ways. Throughout the pandemic, you’ve probably seen and heard messages of everyone being “in this together” although we are physically distant. It’s through that collective thinking and working together that truly amazing things have been accomplished in our community. Read More about Update: Our Pandemic Response »