COAD4Kids

09/04/2026

Our Parent & Youth Ambassadors, Heather Scaff and Brooke Price, along with Program Manager Lara Schwartz, attended the 2026 DCY Kids Summit in Columbus on Wednesday.

The summit brought together state leaders and cross-agency teams from nearly every Ohio county to advance Ohio’s commitment to children and families. Heather and Brooke shared information about COAD4kids, and Lara attended with the Family and Children First Council representing Tuscarawas County.

Summit participants heard remarks and presentations from Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine, Lt Gov. Jim Tressel, Maurice Clarett (former OSU football standout and motivational speaker), DCY Director Kara Wente, and DCY Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen. They then met with their county team to align local priorities with statewide goals for children and families.

09/03/2026

Welcome to September! 🍂

As the seasons begin to change and new school years kick off, it is a wonderful time to focus on establishing healthy routines for our children.

Consistent routines help children feel secure, confident, and ready to learn, whether they are at home or in a child care program.

Here are a few tips for building a great routine together:
🍂Consistent Bedtimes: A good night of sleep is the foundation for a successful day of learning and play.
🍂Visual Schedules: Use pictures to help young children understand what comes next in their day, from mealtime to naptime.
🍂Transition Warnings: Giving a five-minute heads-up before changing activities helps reduce frustration and builds patience.

Here is to a wonderful month of learning, growing, and settling into a great rhythm!"

08/31/2026

We have resources for your employees! Want to show your support for being a family-friendly employer? Check out our Employer Resources Kit.
https://coadinc.org/coad4kids/4communities/employer_resources/

08/28/2026

Could COAD4Kids be a resource for you this Fall?
COAD4kids is a child care resource and referral agency serving clients of all income levels. We:

✅ Help families find child care and navigate resources
✅ Work to increase the supply of child care
✅ Provide training for early childhood professionals
✅ Offer technical assistance to classroom teachers and program administrators
✅ Assist individuals in becoming foster/adoptive parents
Learn more:

COAD4kids is a child care resource and referral agency serving clients of all income levels. We: COAD4kids is part of a statewide network of child care resource and referral agencies that has been…

08/25/2026

Foster and kinship families change lives every day.

Opening your home to a child is an incredible act of compassion, and you don't have to do it alone. COAD4kids is proud to support foster and kinship caregivers with resources, child care assistance, training, and ongoing support every step of the way.

Learn more about the services available to your family at coad4kids.org.

08/22/2026

Every child deserves a safe, healthy, and supportive environment—but they can't advocate for themselves.

That's why the voices of caring adults matter. By speaking up for policies, programs, and resources that support children and families, you can help create lasting positive change in your community.

Learn how you can become an advocate for children by visiting our website.

When it comes to public policy, rules, and regulations that affect children, the children cannot speak for themselves. As adults, we owe them the effort it takes to keep them in safe and healthy…

08/19/2026

Wishing all students, families, teachers, and child care providers a wonderful first day of school!

May this school year be filled with learning, new friendships, exciting opportunities, and plenty of reasons to smile. Here's to a successful year ahead!

08/18/2026

Grab your lunch and join us for a free, relaxed virtual parenting session! Learn practical ways to reduce parenting stress, strengthen your connection with your child, and handle everyday parenting challenges. Join us Tuesday, August 25, from 12 – 1:30 PM on Zoom. Contact Michelle Tackett to register and receive the Zoom link.

08/17/2026

Our SDA 11 COAD4kids office is moving! 🚚 Starting Sept. 1, you can find us at:

📍 628 3rd St, Portsmouth, OH 45662

Also, please use 740-541-5482 to contact us until further notice. Thank you!

08/15/2026

Back-to-School Tips for a Smooth Start

As a new school year begins, a little preparation can make a big difference for the whole family.

✅ Get organized early by preparing school supplies, clothing, lunches, and backpacks before the first day.

✅ Establish daily routines with consistent bedtimes, meals, and homework schedules to help children feel secure and ready to learn.

✅ Label backpacks, lunch boxes, coats, and other school essentials to help prevent lost items.

✅ Practice your transportation plan ahead of time, whether your child rides the bus, walks, carpools, or is dropped off at school.

Small steps now can help children feel confident, prepared, and excited for a successful school year!