News and Notes From Invest in Children -- January 2024
Invest in Children Welcomes Jakolya Gordon to our Staff!
Invest in Children is pleased to announce the addition of Jakolya Gordon, MSW, to our staff team to lead several important family-centered programs that are central to our work to ensure the well-being of all young children in Cuyahoga County. As a Social Program Administrator, Jakolya will spearhead our work with the FamilySpace, Early Childhood Mental Health, Prevention and Inclusion, Bright Beginnings Parent Support, and SPARK programs, in addition to other efforts related to early childhood development and kindergarten readiness.   

Jakolya's professional career, spanning over 19 years, has encompassed roles at both Cuyahoga County's Health and Human Services and Public Safety and Justice Services. She has devoted most of her professional journey to cultivating innovative child-serving program development initiatives to enhance family well-being. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Cleveland State University, specializing in community organizing and program development.
NAEYC Conducting ECE Field Survey
Federal child care stabilization grants ended on September 30, 2023. Through their partnership with the RAPID EC Survey Project, NAEYC has shared some data about the impact on the national child care landscape, but completing and sharing this new survey ensures they can get updated, state-based, and localized data and stories, about the up-to-the-moment realities of what is happening across our sector so they can collectively share those with you, advocates, policymakers, the press, and the public. 

Be sure to include your Zip Code when completing the survey. This will allow data and information from Cuyahoga County to be considered more clearly.

Take 15 minutes to complete the survey in English or Spanish, and you'll have the chance to win 1 of 20 prizes, including a $100 gift card or a free registration to NAEYC’s 2024 Virtual Public Policy Forum!
Billie Osborne-Fears Tribute Fund Announces Fellowship Program
The Billie-Osborne-Fears Tribute Fund has announced the launch of the Billie Osborne-Fears Leadership Fellowship Program. The program provides a two-year full-time experience located at the non-profit organization Starting Point with simultaneous enrollment in the Certificate Program for Nonprofit Management at Case Western Reserve University. Its overarching goal is to help create the next generation of transformational leaders in the early childhood field, honoring the memory and legacy of Billie Osborne Fears, the founder and long-time leader of Starting Point.
 
Applications for the fellowship are now open, and one Fellow will be selected in March 2024 for the inaugural two-year Fellowship term.
 
More information about this program and how to apply can be found using the button below.
Cuyahoga County Office of Early Childhood
Invest in Children