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Collaborating with business, education, and community partners to increase educational success for all learners, aligned with high-quality jobs in Columbus and Southeast Indiana. | | Community Education Coalition Update | | |
Hello Anissa,
We’re excited to be back with another good news update! See how we're working with partners at local, state, and national levels to secure a future where lifelong learning and prosperity are attainable for all. Remember to scroll to the bottom for a roundup of more local and national news and resources. If you're not a subscriber, sign up here.
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CIVICLAB
CivicLab Helps Accelerate National Attainment Movement
| | This month, CivicLab joined leaders in Celebrating and Accelerating Attainment 2025 & Beyond—a national conference focused on applying lessons learned from attainment efforts across the country. CivicLab brought to the table a data-driven story of place-based systems change. Between 2017 and 2020, 22 Talent Hubs supported by CivicLab saw credential attainment rise by 12.2%, far outpacing the national average of 1.8%. That’s over 21,000 additional first-time credential earners—real people in real communities, now equipped for good jobs and better futures. | | |
THE BRIDGE
Top Employers Tap into Growing Talent Pool at The Bridge
| | The Bridge at AirPark Columbus College Campus recently brought together students from IU Columbus, Ivy Tech, and Purdue Polytechnic Institute for a dynamic internship and career fair that connected emerging talent with top regional employers in high-growth fields like advanced manufacturing, business, and technology. More than 50 employers participated, leaving with resumes in hand and a firsthand glimpse at the strong talent pipeline taking shape in our region. | | More News From The Bridge | | | | |
Columbus 2030: Students Help Shape Downtown's Future
Students got a hands-on opportunity to shape the future of downtown Columbus during a recent visit from city representatives gathering input for the Columbus Downtown 2030 strategic plan. Through interactive maps and meaningful dialogue, participants contributed ideas to help reimagine a vibrant post-pandemic downtown.
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EARLY LEARNING COALITION
Local Leaders Join Forces to Expand Child Care Access
| | Slide from Employer Roundtable presentation | | Employers and the community recently gathered for the first Employer Roundtable aimed at addressing our community’s child care challenges. From workforce development to expanding capacity, the conversation marked an important step toward building a stronger, more family-friendly workforce ecosystem. | | More News From Early Learning Coalition | | | | |
Educators Trained to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Improve Community Safety
Child sexual abuse is a silent crisis—60% of victims never disclose their abuse, and 1 in 10 children experience sexual abuse before turning 18. Early childhood educators are uniquely positioned to recognize warning signs and intervene. That’s why, during National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Early Learning Coalition partnered with Family Service to host a free prevention training. Learn more.
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Coming Soon: "Small Starts, Big Impact" Episode 3
This special episode features Ebunoluwa Okuleye-Ash, Pre-K Teacher of the Year at BCSC's Richard Johnson Early Education Center. Get a unique glimpse into one of our local classrooms and gain a better understanding of the profound impact these programs have on our community now and into the future. Replay Episode Two now!
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Fatherhood Unplugged: Building Stronger Families, One Conversation at a Time
Strong fathers build strong futures. Fatherhood Unplugged is a monthly gathering for dads and male role models to connect, learn, and grow through shared experiences. Join Children, Inc. on April 22 in Columbus, IN, for dinner, activities with your child, and a powerful roundtable discussion. Together, we can shape brighter tomorrows for our children. Learn more.
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Thank an Early Educator: Provider Appreciation Day is May 9th
We'd like to send out a heartfelt THANK YOU to all our early educators working with our youngest students! Thank you for turning little questions into big discoveries and small moments into lifetime memories. The impact you make every day is immeasurable, shaping the foundation for the future of our children, workforce, and community. Thank you for your tireless efforts and for being such a positive influence in the lives of the students and families you serve!
| | Stay Informed: More News and Resources | |
Stay Connected with Us
Community Education Coalition | AirPark Columbus College Campus | CivicLab
About Community Education Coalition (CEC)
CEC was founded in 1997 by a dedicated group of changemakers united by a shared goal: to foster economic growth and enhance community well-being through the Southeast Indiana learning system. 27 years later, the CEC has grown into a nationally-recognized catalyst for economic development through a robust civic process, serving business, education, and the community partners to increase educational success for all learners, aligned with high-quality jobs in Columbus and Southeast Indiana.
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