July 2026

Parenting Again: KD's Journey from Overwhelmed to Empowered

"PUTTING" THE CHILD AT THE CENTER

Gather your friends for a day on the green while helping local children and families thrive. Every swing supports brighter beginnings by strengthening families, empowering educators, and preparing children for success. More than just a day of golf, this outing is about swinging for school readiness—because when children receive the support they need early in life, the impact lasts a lifetime.

If you have questions about the event or are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to Holly Claus.

*Event attendance not required to participate in raffles.

**Note, some restrictions and fees may apply; Review all terms before entering.

Investing in Child Care Leadership in the Mahoning Valley

The Early Childhood Resource Center is grateful to have recently received $20,000 in grant funding from the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley to support a targeted Mahoning Valley child care leadership and workforce project.

The award includes a $10,000 grant from the William Swanston Charitable Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, and a $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley General Fund.

Funding will support The Leadership Journey, a 12-month professional growth initiative designed to strengthen leadership capacity within the early childhood education workforce. Through the program, child care administrators from Mahoning and Trumbull counties will receive coaching, leadership development, and practical tools to enhance workplace culture, strengthen onboarding practices, and improve staff retention.

Thank you to the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley for its partnership and commitment to strengthening the region’s child care workforce and supporting the success of young children, families, and early learning professionals.

Randy Jellison, Fatherhood Project Manager, joined Ideastream Public Media's Sound of Ideas this month to discuss the importance of supporting fathers and strengthening parent-child relationships.

The program explored the challenges some fathers face, including navigating separation from their children, financial hardships, incarceration, and other barriers. Randy joined fellow advocates to share how fatherhood programs can help parents build stronger connections with their children and create positive outcomes for families.

Watch the video to hear Randy's insights and learn more about the impact of father engagement in our communities.

Creating Better Outcomes for 
Foster Families in Medina County

Meaningful community impact rarely happens in isolation. It is built through relationships, collaboration, and a shared commitment to serving families.

The Early Childhood Resource Center continues to strengthen its partnership with Medina County Job and Family Services to support foster and adoptive families through our HUB HeartLine. Through ongoing communication, resource sharing, and coordinated outreach efforts, we are working together to ensure families have access to information, services, and support when they need it most.

This collaborative approach helps create a more connected system of care. By promoting one another's resources and coordinating efforts, our organizations can better respond to family needs, increase awareness of available supports, and provide a smoother experience for those navigating the foster care system.

Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of working together toward a common goal. When organizations combine their expertise and resources, they can create stronger community networks and achieve greater impact than any one organization could alone.

We are proud to collaborate with community partners who share our commitment to supporting children and families. Together, we are building a stronger foundation of support for foster and adoptive families across Medina County and in all counties we serve.

As summer begins to wind down, we hope you've enjoyed a season filled with fun and memorable moments. With August just days away, it's also a timely reminder that National Make-A-Will Month is nearly here.

Whether you're preparing for a new school year, otherwise planning for the months ahead, or simply checking items off your to-do list, we encourage you to take a few minutes to create or update your will. While estate planning isn't always an easy topic to think about, having a will is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can leave your loved ones. It helps ensure your wishes are honored, provides clarity during a difficult time, and allows your values and legacy to live on.

Your support has already made a difference in the lives of the children, families, and individuals we serve at the Early Childhood Resource Center. In gratitude, and to help you plan for your future, we’ve partnered with FreeWill, a free, secure online estate planning tool that guides you through the process of making or updating your will. In 20 minutes or less, you can:

• Protect those who depend on you: Nominate trusted guardians for children or pets.
• Provide for your loved ones: Ensure your assets are directed exactly where you intend.
• Look to the future with clarity: Document future wishes, including medical care.

If it aligns with your wishes, we also invite you to consider including the Early Childhood Resource Center in your estate plans. There is no obligation to do so; however, a planned gift of any size will help us continue strengthening children and families in need far into the future, at no cost to you today.

This National Make-A-Will Month, take the time to protect the people you love while making a lasting impact on all you care about.

Follow Us on Social Media

The Early Childhood Resource Center maintains an active social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. If you use one or more of those platforms, we encourage you to like and share our posts to help us grow our network and share the important work we are doing with as many people as possible.

FEATURED SUPPORTER

In 2025, ConnectWell CIE of East Central Ohio launched as part of a six-county regional CIE based in Stark County and is administered by Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio. ConnectWell partners with local agencies, providers, and community members to facilitate easier referrals of individuals to housing and shelter, food assistance, family support, transportation, healthcare, legal aid, and other essential resources. The initiative focuses on whole-person care by removing barriers and fostering collaboration across sectors.

Dr. Anju Mader, Director of ConnectWell CIE and Chief Health Integration Officer at Stark Mental Health & Addiction Recovery (Stark MAHR), spent several years researching CIEs and the needs in Stark County to find the best technological partner and the best practices model to implement in the county.

“After four years of research, planning, and obtaining local support, I’m happy to see the culmination in ConnectWell CIE,” said Mader, who heads the three-person administrative team. “Our residents will receive more personalized comprehensive support made possible through strong agency collaboration. At the same time, our goal is to also improve access and timely receipt of services while maximizing community resources,” continued Mader.

ConnectWell links healthcare and other sectors to community agencies providing social care services to enhance care. Research shows that up to 80 percent of an individual’s health can be determined by the social drivers of health, which are the community conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, worship, and age. “Focusing only on access and quality of healthcare without addressing the social barriers is a reason people are not attaining their optimal health,” continued Mader.

CIEs have been shown to increase efficiency in workflows and higher staff satisfaction for partners. In addition, long-term outcomes reveal significant social return on investment and improved community vitality. Lastly, the strength of a CIE is determined by the various partners in its network.

To ensure ConnectWell CIE can meet the needs of individuals across the county, partners are invited to join the network as a testament to our collective vision for a healthier, more connected Stark County.

For more information, email connectwelleco@goodwillgoodskills.org.

A Child Care Resource and Referral Agency

proudly serving Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, and Trumbull counties.

Visit our website ecresourcecenter.org or call 330-491-3272