May 2026

Early Childhood Specialist Brittany Young, right, receives a certificate of recognition from the Akron mayor's office for her leadership on the program. (Photo courtesy of Shift Work Forward)

Strengthening Child Care by Centering the Workforce

Across the country, the child care system faces what many call a “triple bind” where care is often unaffordable for families, inaccessible in communities, and unsustainable for the workforce. The Shifting the Childcare Industry initiative, led by Shift Work Forward, is working to change that by focusing on a critical truth: meaningful, lasting solutions must start with the people who do the work every day.

From 2023 to 2025, the initiative partnered with four communities, including Akron, to test worker-centered approaches that improve job quality, strengthen retention, and build more sustainable systems. Rather than applying a single model, each community designed solutions rooted in local needs, supported by coaching, cross-sector collaboration, and shared learning.

In Akron, the Early Childhood Resource Center played a key role in leading this work. Recognizing that many family child care providers experience isolation and lack access to business tools, we helped convene a cohort of 15 Black-led, women-owned programs. Through leadership development, peer connections, and one-on-one coaching, providers built business skills, strengthened their networks, and grew in confidence as both caregivers and entrepreneurs.

The results extended beyond individual programs. Providers began collaborating, advocating for their needs, and engaging with local leaders, helping shape conversations about the future of child care in their community.

Thank you to the Fund for our Economic Future, Akron Urban League, Heart to Heart Leadership, and the GAR Foundation for working with us to show what’s possible when we invest in the workforce behind early learning. By centering educators as experts, we can build a stronger, more resilient child care system for children, families, and communities alike.

Early Childhood Resource Center Executive Director Angela Moses and Amy Wise, Director of Strategic Initiatives, traveled to Washington, D.C., on May 5 to participate in Child Care Aware of America’s Child Care Strong: Igniting Opportunity Symposium. The event brought together advocates from across the country to highlight the essential role child care plays in supporting families, strengthening communities, and driving economic stability.

While in D.C., Angela and Amy met with staff from the offices of Senators Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno to share insights from our work and advocate for policies that strengthen Ohio’s early childhood system.

Their participation reflects our broader commitment to advancing solutions to challenges facing the field, including workforce shortages and affordability, through informed public policy and sustained investment.

“Advocating at the national level is critical to our work because it ensures that the needs of children, families, and early childhood professionals in our communities are reflected in federal funding and policy decisions,” Angela said. “By bringing real experiences and data directly to policymakers, we can help influence investments that sustain high-quality early learning and strengthen child care as essential infrastructure. Securing this funding is vital to maintaining access, improving quality, and supporting the long-term stability of the early childhood system.”

Strong child care systems make it possible for children to thrive, families to work, and communities to grow. At the Early Childhood Resource Center, we remain committed to elevating these voices and advancing policies that create lasting impact.

Bob joined the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton board of directors at its inception in 1996 as a founding board member and went on to serve the Foundation and, beginning in 2018, the Health System in numerous board leadership roles over nearly three decades before stepping down in February 2026. Throughout his years of service, Bob was known as a thoughtful leader, compassionate advocate, and invaluable voice at the table. He held every office on the Foundation’s board and served on countless committees, always guided by a deep commitment to strengthening the community and serving children and families.

When it comes to the ECRC specifically, Bob and Kathy supported our organization since nearly its founding, serving as champions for the SPARK kindergarten readiness program and numerous other initiatives that help children and families thrive across our region. Their steadfast belief in the importance of early childhood development has helped advance opportunities for countless children and families throughout the region.

In Fall 2025, we were honored to recognize Bob and Kathy during the ECRC’s 25th anniversary celebration. As part of that milestone, honorees were invited to reflect on how their involvement with our work had shaped them personally. Bob and Kathy’s response beautifully captured both their heart for the mission and the impact they believed the ECRC could have on the community:

“Our involvement with the ECRC has its origins in my participation as an original board member of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton. The Foundation’s decision to focus on early childhood and the studies on early brain development convinced me of the need for investment in the field of early childhood development. The subsequent success of the SPARK program has only solidified our support for the ECRC.

“The goal of the Foundation was and is to make a significant and meaningful impact on our community, and I believe the Early Childhood Resource Center has met that goal through implementation of the SPARK program here and throughout the state. I look forward to the ECRC continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of our children and their families.”

Even in recent months, Bob reflected on his years of service with gratitude and humility, writing that it had been his “honor and privilege” to be associated with an organization that “has made a real difference in the lives of so many in this community.”

We are profoundly grateful for Bob’s decades of faithful dedication, leadership, and unwavering support for our mission, as well as his support of so many other worthy organizations across the greater Canton community. He will be greatly missed; however, his legacy will live on through the countless children, families, and communities impacted by the work he so deeply believed in.

Our prayers are with Kathy, Bob’s family, and the many friends, colleagues, and community members who were touched by his kindness, wisdom, and generosity. 

Learn more about Bob's life in his obituary from Gordon Funeral Homes.

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

From schools and hospitals to the homes where our community’s children grow, every lasting structure begins with a solid foundation. This same philosophy drives our commitment to the Early Childhood Resource Center.

A Partnership Rooted in Community

Our relationship with the ECRC is more than just a collaboration; it is a shared investment in the future of Stark County. Bradley H. Belden, President of The Belden Brick Company, proudly serves on the center’s Board of Directors, bringing his professional expertise to support the center's mission of promoting healthy development through family strengthening and high-quality early learning. 

Why Early Childhood Matters

Just as a master mason carefully selects each brick to ensure a wall stands the test of time, the Early Childhood Resource Center provides the “building blocks” of a successful life. Research shows that the earliest years of a child’s life are critical for brain development and future academic success. By supporting programs like SPARK (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids) and providing educators with professional development, the Early Childhood Resource Center ensures that our children are ready to learn from day one. 

Investing in What Lasts

The Belden Brick Company has always been a family-owned business, now managed by the fifth generation. We understand that the most important legacy we can leave isn’t just the buildings we’ve helped construct, but the people who thrive within them. By supporting organizations like the Early Childhood Resource Center, we help ensure that every child in our community has the support system they need to succeed. 

We are honored to stand alongside the ECRC as they continue to nurture the curiosity, confidence, and growth of our community’s youngest members. Together, we aren’t just building structures, we’re building a brighter future for generations to come. 

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