Action for Children

“The form 990 was provided to each of the board members for their review before filing the tax return.”

“The organization regularly and consistently monitors and enforces compliance with the conflict of interest policy by sending out an annual form inquiring about any conflict of interests. The board follows up on any conflicts.”

“The board reviews the ceo's compensation and the ceo reviews all other employee's compensation.”

“The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements available to the public upon request.”

“Foster the growth of early learning environments and assure their availability to all children in central ohio; and help families endow their children with quality early learning experiences.”

“Founded in 1972, action for children's (afc) mission is to transform the lives of children by supporting, empowering, and advocating for the adults who make the biggest impact on their lives - their parents, caregivers, and teachers. Afc believes that all children, when supported by strong families and vibrant communities, should have opportunities for quality early learning experiences that prepare them for success in school, and in life. For 45 years, afc has had a direct and meaningful impact on children and families in central ohio, serving columbus and the surrounding seven-county region. Each year, afc's programs and services reach more than 9,000 early childhood educators and 50,000 children in the community, the vast majority of who are living in households at or below the poverty line.”

“Family asset building (fab) action for children offers comprehensive wraparound support to parents and caregivers directly and through referral to community-based services; one-on-one parent coaching; workshops including but not limited to the art of positive parenting; putting the children first and parents who parent separately; mothers matter; and father factor. In addition, afc's new beginnings for new fathers program connects new dads and dads ages 16-25 to wraparound supports and tailored father factor classes. Quality initiatives action for children ensures the early childhood educator workforce is prepared to meet the increasing demands of the job through professional development and technical assistance. First, afc offers a certified 135-hour child development associate credentialing program; allowing educators to then pursue a full associate's or bachelor's degree in early childhood education by transferring credits and qualifying for scholarships. Second, afc provides technical assistance and support to early learning programs (both center-based as well as home-based providers) seeking to become or increase their star-rating through step up to quality (sutq), ohio's five star quality rating and improvement system. Third, afc offers business development support to those who wish to become early care and education providers and for existing programs seeking to improve their sustainability and increase quality by exercising business leadership. Finally, afc also offers a number of workshops and forums designed to support educators on a variety of topics, including but not limited to cpr/first aid, classes on assessments, child development, developmentally appropriate practices and director roundtables.”

“Information and resources - afc's oldest offering, information and referral services, assists families with locating and accessing quality child care and early learning opportunities. Finally, and in partnership with the united way of central ohio and franklin county department of job and family services, afc offers in-home support to families of young children as they prepare to enter kindergarten. These offerings, spark (for 3-4 year olds) and columbus kids (for 2-5 year olds), are designed to boost pre-literacy skills (spark) as well as evaluate and bolster communication, fine motor, gross motor, problem solving and personal social skills (columbus kids) while assessing kindergarten readiness. The columbus kids team also works with families to remediate any other barriers and challenges they face to meet basic needs, from health care and housing to food insecurity and more. Team members coordinate service delivery across these programs to ensure parents and children become aware and access to any afc service that would support their goals and address their needs.”