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IMPACTREPORTSupporting North Central Ohio's Future2021-2022 Fiscal Year

Jennifer Dodge - Executive DirectorDelisa Nelson - Director of Program InnovationSarah Nichols - Finance ManagerDavid Franks - Workforce ManagerEmily Dodge - CCSS - Employment CoachMartha Deavers - Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Anita St. John - SUTQ CoordinatorAlyssa Dodge - PD Business Services SpecialistCecilia Steinman - Quality Enhancement SpecialistCarie Brown - Quality Enhancement SpecialistTerri Sluss-Cole - CACFP Family Child Care SpecialistDeena Chiller - CACFP for Centers SpecialistKate Caraballo - CACFP for Centers SpecialistCathy Richards - CACFP Home VisitorElizabeth Aponte - Foster Care NavigatorJessica Sherrard - Foster Care NavigatorWe could never do the work wedo without our staff and board:Lisa Godbolt - Board of Director ChairDeb Ortega - Board of Director Vice ChairNatalio Rodriguez - TreasurerHolle Brambrick - SecretaryAlec Hagerty - Past Chair and Member at largeCathie Leimbach - Member at largeCCRC StaffCCRC Board of Directors

Message from the Executive DirectorExpanding hours, child care spaces and subsidy contracts of regional child careAssisting those looking to open new child care programs Working with employers to identify strategies to ensure community stability toattract new employeesDiscussing strategies like; sick child care, onsite employer sponsored child care,child care networks and other strategies to meet employer needsNow 2.5 years into dealing with COVID-19, child care has changed immeasurably,and children, families, early childhood professionals and whole communities arefeeling the impact. As we adjust and figure out how to move forward, early childhoodprofessionals continue to feel the effects of the pandemic. They worked through theearly statewide shutdowns for little pay and many changes, and now they are caringfor and educating children who may not quite understand why their world is stillunsettled and uncertain. The early childhood education system is stretched thin,with staffing shortages across the U.S. as educators leave the profession for betterpaying jobs, but families still need quality child care programs to work or go toschool.The CCRC staff and Board of Directors have spend much of this time responding tothe needs of the child care field and assisting families with obstacles keeping themfrom moving forward. Ohio's Department of Job and Family Services hasresponded to the ever-changing needs and challenges for child care professionalswith Stabilization Grants, Hero Pay, POWER Ohio and TEACH Ohio funds. In NorthCentral Ohio, almost 80% of all licensed child care were able to access funds to helpstabilize their child care businesses with the help of CCRC staff.We entered 2022 hopeful and determined to help child care stabilize and respond tothe needs of families in need of child care services trying to get back to work. Wehave identified child care deserts and are focusing recruitment efforts in thoseareas. Our strategies are:Solving this child care crisis and addressing the needs of an industry stretched thinis not a short term strategy, but rather one that will require business, governmentand local communities to get involved. Though the past 2 years have challenged usin many ways, our commitment to the well-being of children, families andcommunities stands strong.Children are our future, and now more than ever we appreciate your investment inmaking the world a better place for children and families. Jennifer Dodge

Partnering with all families and educators to advance quality child care and education.The CCRC’s vision is to be the community leader intransforming early care and learning in North Central Ohioensuring every child has a high quality learning experienceand enters kindergarten ready to learn.VISIONMISSION

•Conducted Needs Assessment•Developed Implementation Plan•Relationship building with Public and Private partners•Build communication and process pipelines between all agenciesNEW - Impact Foster CareIn 2020, Governor DeWine released the Children Services TransformationAdvisory Council final report that outlined 37 recommendations which includedbuilding additional supports for Children Services Agencies. The AdvisoryCouncil’s work initiated the vision and goals of the Children Services Hubs acrossOhio. As a Funded Children’s Services Hub, the CCRC now works in tandem withpublic and private foster care agencies to provide supports that are designed tohelp foster care applicants be successful and actively care for foster children inNorth Central Ohio.What have we been doing to prepare?What will be be doing moving forward?•Collaborate and develop relationships with Public and Private Agencies •Assistance with Foster Recruitment and Inquiries •Assist with prescreening of foster care candidate applicants •Refer and support foster candidates to complete preservice training and on boarding processes•Increase capacity of the children services workforce by supporting recruitment and retention strategiesBecome a Foster Parent TODAY!If you or someone you know is interested in fostering,adoption or kinship please contact Elizabeth Aponte, Foster Care Navigator at 440-242-0413 Ext. 227 Eaponte@ccrcinc.com

Child Care Demand363 families used the CCRC child care search (combination of online andstaff assisted)44% increase in child care searches over 2020 - 2197% of families seeking care chose a SUTQ rated programThe CCRC’s child care resource and referral program provides free customchild care searches for the community. Each search includes provider profilesand early childhood information to help families in their search for care tomeet their family’s needs. Child Care SupplyIntensive one on one coaching in business operations to assist programs inidentifying the age groups and time of day with highest need and developingstrategies to meet those needsProfessional development and assistance to individuals and businesses to opennew programs or expand existing programs33 new child care programs opened or expanded, adding 1402 child care slotsand 847 slots in star rated programsAs all pandemic restrictions were lifted and parents transitioned from part time tofull time work or from virtual/work from home arrangements back to face to faceemployment, the demand for child care increased. Child care programs were facedwith staffing challenges and many were unable to reopen all their classrooms orreturn to their pre-pandemic schedule. In response, the CCRC provided:In 2022:

Served 12 families with 188 hours of direct support (15 hours per family)Provided over 120 resources and referrals to community supportorganizations such as Lorain County 211 and UCAN, extended summerlearning programs, back to school clothes and supplies, food pantries andspecial holiday food baskets, Toys for Tots, Project Noelle and addictionrecovery servicesAssisted 3 children to pair with mentors Supported one family throughout process to transition young adult child togroup living arrangementsSupported one father to establish paternityAssisted one family to obtain copies of birth certificates and social securitycards Supported one family to locate permanent housing and transition fromhomelessnessIn partnership with Lorain County Family and Children First Council’s WrapAround program, the Child Care Resource Center provides Parent Mentorservices to wrap around families who request parent advocate support. The roleof the Parent Advocate is to enhance parent relationships with their children andthe community and connect families to needed services. In 2022 the CCRC’sParent Advocate:Parent Mentor/Advocate

Ohio Children's Trust Fund Parent CafesIn 2022, the Child Care Resource Center received 2 grants from the Northeast andNorthwest Regions of the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund to provide parent cafes inErie, Huron and Lorain Counties. Parent Cafes are welcoming and supportivesmall groups that explore the joys and challenges of raising a family. These smallgroups meet over a series of 3 cafes based on the Strengthening Families protective factors to reduce child abuse and neglect.In addition to funding to offer Parent Cafes, the CCRC received money forconcrete supports to distribute to families/caregivers attending 3 or more ParentCafes for items their families needed, such as groceries, gas or safety supplies forchildren.Partnered with 15 community organizations including Cornerstone CrisisPregnancy Center, Lorain City Schools, Elyria City Schools, Horizon EducationCenters, Lorain County Community College and Open Door Christian Schoolstotal of 54 Parent Café meetings offered to fidelity to 166 parents andcaregivers83 parents/caregivers attended 3 or more parent cafes Distributed $10,000 in concrete support fundsLorain County: Partnered with Faith Church and Wee Care Day Caretotal of 6 Parent Café meetings to fidelity to 90 parents and caregivers9 parents/caregivers attended 3 or more parent cafes Distributed $1200 in concrete support fundsErie County:Partnered with Downtown Day Care and Tiny Steps Child Care and EnrichmentCenterTotal of 6 Parent Café meetings to fidelity to 21 parents and caregivers10 parents/caregivers attended 3 or more parent cafe'sDistributed $1500 in concrete support fundsHuron County: Parent Cafes are led by trained Parent Hostswho are supported by CCRC’s café facilitatorto guide conversations. The CCRC trained: 22 Parent Hosts in Lorain County4 Parent Hosts in Erie County4 Parent Hosts in Huron County

In the Spring of 2022, the CCRC began a new initiative entitled Positive EarlyChildhood Education (PECE). PECE is a researched and evaluated programthat has helped participants experience less disruptive behaviors in theclassroom, as well as increased job satisfaction, less stress, and moreteamwork. It would be a mistake, however, to conclude that PECE is just anotherbehavior management program. Although PECE participants are able toenhance social-emotional learning and problem-solving skills with theirstudents, PECE also addresses topics such as dynamics with co-workers,support of parents, and enhancing the participant’s communication skills. Allof these components combine to foster a high quality learning environmentsfor children as well as a more motivated, happier staff. During a time whenearly childhood programs are dealing with a rise in challenging behaviors andan unprecedented amount of teacher turnover, CCRC was excited to be ableto offer this support to the workforce of North Central Ohio.The PECE program is comprised of two components; first, participantscomplete four modules of training; second, coaching sessions to put intopractice the strategies learned in training. Through funding provided byOCCRRA (Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association), CCRC is able toprovide services and supports for teachers involved in the program.NEW Program Focused onChallenging Behaviors in the Classroomchild care centers participated8Teachers Completed PECE TrainingSets of Coaching Sessions Held35 29We are looking forward to growing this effort to support early childhoodeducators!

CCRC's Nutrition Programs:CACFP for CentersCCRC CACFP Center’s Team has been back in the field this year, connecting withchildcare centers in Northern Ohio. We have been visiting centers to provide inperson training, center recruitment, monitor reviews, and “stop ins” to say hello! The Child Care Resource Center made the following impacts through our CACFP for Centers Sponsorship:561,833$460,21812,230Children ImpactedMeals Served Reimbursements to CentersThe CCRC recorded an increase of 102,722 meals from last year!An average of just under 1000 children each month were served healthy andnutritious meals while in care reaching; Cuyahoga, Lorain, Huron, Sandusky,Seneca, Summit, and Wood Counties.CCRC CACFP program started the Fiscal Year 2021-22 with 28 active child carecenters. Throughout the year, four new centers joined CCRC CACFP Center’ssponsorship! Although, two centers came off the program mid-year, CACFP Center’s Teamcontinue to recruit new child care centers and expand our reach to new countiesin Ohio. CCRC CACFP Center’s Team continues to grow and integrate systems forchild care centers to help establish quick claim reimbursements, prioritycustomer service, and easily accessible training and support. # of meals served by meal type:Breakfast: 159,736 AM Snack: 7,855Lunch: 187,577 PM Snack: 195,602Dinner: 11,063

CCRC's Nutrition Programs:CACFP for Family Child CareThe Child Care Resource Center’s Family Child Care Child and Adult Care FoodProgram serves 26 counties in Northern Ohio. We span throughout Northern Ohiofrom Indiana to Michigan to Pennsylvania!The CCRC’s Family Child Care CACFP program saw a 125% growth in fiscal year 2021-2022! We started the year serving 65 family childcare homes and finished the yearserving 81 homes. The highest actively claiming number was 84 homes in May 2022.We saw several programs retire this year, but focused on recruiting and retention.We worked with the county departments of jobs and family services offices andsister resource and referral agencies in and outside of the CCRC’s service deliveryarea to support new programs looking to become licensed and onboard to theCACFP program. Here is a breakdown of programs we serve by county:Cuyahoga: 3Defiance: 4Erie: 3Fulton: 3Hancock: 2Hardin: 4Huron: 2Lorain: 17Lucas: 26Mahoning: 4Ottawa: 1Paulding: 1Sandusky: 1Seneca: 4Summit: 6Stark: 2Williams: 110,000 290,053 $442,418Children Impacted Meals ServedReimbursementsto Programs# of meals served by meal type:Breakfast: 62,866 AM Snack: 29,624Lunch: 70,685 PM Snack: 66,742Dinner: 41,945Evening Snack: 18,191

CCRC's Nutrition ProgramsUSDA’s Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) offered a suite of operational flexibilitiesto support CACFP program operators as they transitioned from operations underCOVID-19 with nationwide waivers. These waivers expired on June 30, 2022. Theone that impacted family childcare CACFP operators most significantly was thatALL were reimbursed by area eligibility, meaning they received the highestcurrent reimbursement rate. Congress passed into public law the ‘Keep Kids FedAct of 2022’ beginning July 1, 2022. The bill increased the Tier II rates (lowestreimbursed rates) for family childcare to the Tier I (highest rate). Providers thatdid not qualify by area eligibility (census or school data) would continue toreceive the highest reimbursement rate, just like when the USDA waivers were ineffect. The ‘Keep Kids Fed Act’ also specifically increased the reimbursementrates, meals and snacks under CACFP by $0.10 for each meal. This bill is in effect,supporting our CACFP FCC Homes through the fiscal year, expiring on September30, 2023.

Ohio Healthy ProgramsThe Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) continued its collaboration with theLorain County Department of Health aimed at encouraging more childcarecenters within our service area to become designated as an Ohio HealthyProgram.Just as Step Up to Quality has providers take steps to provide care above andbeyond licensing requirements, Ohio Healthy Programs (OHP) has providersgo to the next level in the areas of nutrition and healthy practices. OHP is avoluntary designation program that focuses on creating healthy habits,menus, policies, and family engagement in childcare centers and earlychildhood education programs to prevent childhood obesity. Child carecenters must adhere to specific menu requirements and implement one newhealthy policy each year. While working towards this designation, providersreceive training and technical assistance from CCRC to assist their program increating healthy eating and active environments. This coveted designationillustrates to families that providers prioritize their child’s health and well-being, and helps children build healthy habits both at home and at school.29 21 2121 21 20Programs completedPre AssessmentAdded a Health orNutrition PolicyMade Healthy Menu AdjustmentsOffered Families Health& Nutrition InformationPrograms CompleteOHP TrainingPrograms SubmittedTheir OHP Application

Child Care Staffing SolutionsChild Care Staffing Solutions (CCSS), a substitute service exclusive for earlychildhood programs, is in its second year of operation. This year CCSS members used substitute coverage for 109 shifts through thesubstitute service for their sites. This is about 800 hours of substitute coverage!The CCRC saves its member agencies countless hours of human resources (i.e.recruitment, screening, training and maintenance of staff). Today in Ohio, 73% ofchild care centers have staffing shortages and many of those program identifiedlow wages as the main problem for recruiting new staff into early childhoodwork. In response, CCSS raised its hourly wage levels to $12 an hour forbeginning subs (Ohio’s CPL Levels 1 & 2) and $15 an hour for those subs withexperience and required degrees or training levels (CPL Levels 3 – 6). Ohio has provided grants and money to child care providers and programs toassist in recruiting and maintaining new staff. In many ways the early childhoodfield is being rebuilt with new – non early childhood recruits. Training, providingexperience, and the need for higher wages makes on boarding and maintainingnew staff cumbersome and difficult for program directors to shoulder alone.Typical cost for programs to train and onboard a new staff person is around$455 and 9-12 hours of their already limited time and resources. Child CareStaffing Solutions is now assisting programs with an on boarding process thattrains, equips, and ensures “job-ready” new hires for programs. This frees uptheir time to ensure high quality care is provided and families are being takencare of daily. CCSS can partner with programs to provide human resourcessupport, along with offering substitutes as needed to support their day to dayoperations. A win-win for all.

YWCA of Northwest Ohio4C for Children – Miami Valley4C for Children – Southwest OhioEarly Childhood Resources CenterChild Care Resource CenterIn addition to Child Care Staffing Solutions, CCRC has also expanded thesubstitute service to four more regions of Ohio (Toledo, Akron/Canton, Dayton &Cincinnati regions of Ohio) with plans to add additional regions next year. Thisexpansion is a direct response for local child care resource and referral agencieswho have taken the CCSS platform and services to assist the child careprograms within their regions of Ohio. Below are the agencies that currently are using Child Care Staffing Solutions intheir regions:One of the defining factors in the development of the CCSS Platform was easeof use. Child Care center directors post jobs to the platform and substitutesreceive the job announcements via text message. This simplicity allows for quickrequests and of jobs being filled without the need for deep knowledge oftechnology. The communication below is an example of how the system worksand the user friendly features of the platform: Posted Job by ProgramText Message to Substitutes

Providers are finally getting in the groove with training again! According to ourlast annual report, we only had 242 providers who attended our trainings forthe years 2020-2021. This year that number is almost 4 times higher!!! We alsoadded 17 new trainings to our training list, which includes trainings otherentities have shared with us, or trainings we submitted so we can offer themvirtually or face to face to accommodate our providers. We have tried to offer numerous face-to-face trainings, and have learned thatproviders are still more interested in attending trainings virtually over face toface. We will continue to offer face-to-face trainings in hopes that this willbecome more popular moving forward. Face-to-face trainings seem to be verypopular for childcare centers to contract with us and provide for their staffprivately so everyone can be together in person. We have also onboarded three brand new trainers to our PD department andthey have all successfully already facilitated at least one training for the CCRC.Professional Development Trainings provided Providers AttendedCDA Graduates44 841 41

7/2021 6/20221 Star 2 Star 3 Star 4 Star 5 Star150 100 50 0 Workforce Crisis ImpactsQuality Child CareAs the economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, child care – along withmany other sectors – is grappling with an unprecedented workforce shortage. Each day we hear stories of just how challenging it is to be in early childhoodeducation right now! And surprisingly, it’s not because of COVID-19—not directly,anyway. It’s because many programs find themselves in the throes of a staffingcrisis, due to high turnover and low wages, two issues facing the profession longbefore the pandemic that have made it all but impossible to keep classrooms fulland doors open on a consistent basis. The Child Care Resource Center’s Specialists connected resources like Ohio'sStabilization Grants, Hero pay, TEACH Ohio and POWER Ohio wage supplements to child care programs and staff last year.Licensed Programs7/2021: 281 licensed providers6/2022: 276 licensed providersSUTQ Rated ProgramsIn the last year in North Central Ohio, we lost 5 licensed providers total, butincreased the number of SUTQ rated programs. We are focusing resources in thenext year to build workforce and add new child care programs to our region.

In 2022, the Child Care Resource Center became the Accreditation facilitationprojects (AFP) leader for Ohio. This means that we provide technical assistanceand other support to programs working on NAEYC Accreditation. We helpprograms understand the steps, process, and the requirements of NAEYCAccreditation.We offered a cohort approach and supported 9 programs renewing and 3programs seeking initial NAEYC accreditation. All are working on Accreditationto provide child care services to the students of BGSU Firelands as part of anational project. Some of the areas in which we support programs include: NEW NAEYC Support AvailablePeer-to-Peer MentoringProfessional Development PlansClassroom ObservationsMock Assessment VisitsPortfolioSupportSystems SupportResource HUB

Providers needed access to a developmental screening tool to supportchildren’s development. In an effort to support early childhood programs, the CCRC purchased theEnterprise version of ASQ-3 Online, and through a shared service model, wasable to offer this tool to child care centers and family child care homes for anannual fee and only the cost of the surveys sent to families. These participating programs were not able to access efficient datamanagement, online questionnaire completion, and powerful reportingabilities. ASQ Online helped build a smooth and streamlined program thatscreens every child and supports every parent.66 Providers used the Enterprise tool in 2021-2022 49 only used the ASQ-3 which screens the following 5 areas of development;Communication, Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Problem Solving, and PersonalSocial 17 Providers use both the ASQ-3 and ASQ-SE which also screens the following7 areas of Social-Emotional Development; Autonomy, Compliance, AdaptiveFunctioning, Self-Regulation, Affect, Interaction, and Social Communication.As children transitioned back to the child care settings, challenging behaviorsincreased and so did our ASQ-SE users. The CCRC ASQ-SE enterprise usersmore than doubled in 2021-2022. In 2013 There Was a Need Identified Programs Are Using The ASQ Enterprise to Enter Child DataThe “Why” Behind the ASQ Data?An increase of 1,088screenings in the 2021-22year

Now that we have data representing over 3,800 children across our 5counties - what does the data tell us about children’s screening trends? What is The Data Telling Us?Encourage and support all providers to use the ASQ:SE to ensure earlyidentification of necessary supports and resources in the area of socialand emotional development Professional Development for teachers with a focus on knowledge andstrategies to use daily in the classroom experiences. Support programs in making referrals to ensure children receive neededsupport Provide educational opportunities for parents and families with a focus onknowledge & strategies to use daily their homes.How Do We Use This Data to Support Children And Teachers?

FINANCIAL REPORTCACFP Payments Directly to Providers: $1,029,415.54

Thank you to our regional partners:The Child Care Resource Center works with many community and regional partners toimpact the five counties we serve everyday. We are truly thankful for their sharedvision and willingness to impact communities in need.Child Care Providers and CentersLorain, Erie, Huron, Sandusky andSeneca County Children ServicesLorain County Health DepartmentOhio Children’s Trust Fund -Northeast and Northwest CouncilsOhio Department of Job andFamily ServicesOCCRRAUnited Way of Greater LorainCounty Family and Children First Council Fireland’s ForwardReady, Set Go to KindergartenOberlin KidsRising TitansLorain Community CollegeBGUS Firelands CampusImagination LibraryCommunity FoundationOhio Children’s AllianceAdopt America NetworkSimplified Facilities Superprinter Barnes WendlingLorain County Homeless Task ForceLorain County Family and ChildrenFirst CouncilCornerstone Crisis PregnancyCenterOpen Door Christian SchoolLorain City SchoolsElyria City SchoolsUnited Way of Greater LorainCountyLorain County Community CollegeAdvocacy Resource CenterLorain County Caring Advocates forRecovery EducationFaith Church - SanduskyRegion 2 Lorain County Continuumof Care and CoordinatedEntry/Catholic Charities ClevelandDioceseHomelessness Task Forces in Erie,Huron, Lorain, Sandusky andSeneca CountiesNorwalk Area United Fund First Callfor HelpImagination LibraryNAEYC - Regional workEarly Childhood Resource CenterYWCA of Northwest Ohio4C for ChildrenAction for ChildrenCOAD Child Care Resource NetworkStarting PointErie, Huron, Lorain, Sandusky andSeneca Departments of Job andFamily Services

CCRC Offices:Main Office5350 Oberlin Ave., Lorain, Oh. 44053Salem Court Office CondoLCCC Satellite Office1005 N. Abbe Rd., Elyria, Oh. 44035Business Building (BU) 1st FloorBGSU Firelands Satellite OfficeOne University Drive, Huron, Oh 44839George Mylander Hall440-242-0413 www.ccrcinc.com