COAD4Kids

10/09/2026

🌟 October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month! 🌟

Every child should feel safe, valued, and supported, both in and out of the classroom. 💙

Your words and actions have power—always choose kindness.

If you see someone being treated unfairly, be brave and speak up.

Everyone has the right to learn and play without fear!

10/06/2026

🌟 Happy National Child Health Day! 🌟

Let's celebrate the bright futures of our children by prioritizing their well-being. Here are 5 easy ways to help your kids stay healthy and strong:

👀 Schedule an eye exam
💉 Stay up to date on immunizations
💤 Make time for restful naps
🦷 Plan a visit to the dentist
🥦 Pack plates with colorful fruits and veggies

Healthy habits start today! 💙

10/02/2026

Congratulations to Amiera Barbour who recently received her CDA Credential for Preschool! 🎉✨

Amiera works for Muskingum Head Start in Zanesville and attended our CDA Cohort this past year.

10/01/2026

🏡 Open your heart and home—we'll help with the rest! 💛

Becoming a foster, adoptive, or kinship family is a beautiful journey, but you don't have to do it alone. COAD4kids is here to support you every step of the way\!

From helping you choose the right agency to covering the cost of background checks and providing essential safety items (like smoke detectors and safety locks), we’ve got your back.

Let’s work together to build strong, supported families. Reach out today Learn more here:

Support for Resource Families Navigating the Licensing Process: Guidance and personalized support for prospective foster families as they choose an agency and complete licensing requirements. Peer Support & Community: Interactive support groups, Parent Cafés, and regular networking events to connec...

09/30/2026

October is just around the corner! 🎃

Whether you are planning activities for your child care program or looking for weekend fun at home, here is a list of wonderful fall activities to engage and educate young learners:
🎃 Pumpkin Decorating: Paint, carve, or use stickers on pumpkins for a creative fine-motor activity.
🎃 Leaf Pile Jumping: Rake up leaves and let the kids jump in to get some active, gross-motor play!
🎃 DIY Halloween Costumes: Have a costume-making afternoon with craft supplies to spark imagination.
🎃 Spooky Story Time: Read or make up not-too-scary Halloween stories to build language and listening skills.
🎃 Nature Walks: Go on a walk to collect colorful fall leaves and acorns, turning it into a fun science and sorting lesson.
🎃 Apple Picking: Visit a local orchard and pick apples together to learn about where our food comes from.
🎃 Halloween Movie Night: Watch kid-friendly Halloween movies with popcorn for a cozy wind-down.
🎃 Baking Treats: Make pumpkin muffins, caramel apples, or spooky cookies to practice measuring and following directions.
🎃 Scavenger Hunt: Create a fall-themed scavenger hunt in your backyard or play area to encourage problem-solving.
🎃 Craft Day: Make paper bats, ghosts, or leaf art to encourage creativity and artistic expression.

09/29/2026

Calling all dads and father figures!

We’re getting ready to kick off a new 24:7 Dad® group, and we’d love to have you join us!

This FREE virtual program is a chance to connect with other dads, talk about the real-life challenges of fatherhood, and pick up practical ideas for building stronger relationships with your kids.

💻 Virtual via Zoom
📅 October 19, 20, 26 & 27 and November 2 & 3
⏰ 7:30 PM
💙 FREE to participate, materials provided

No perfect dads required! Just dads and father figures who want to show up, learn, connect, and keep growing.

Registration is required. Scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up. Questions? Contact Michelle Tackett at [email protected].

Tag or share with a dad who might be interested!

09/26/2026

Happy Family Day!

Every family is special, and no two are exactly the same. Some are big, some are small. Some live close by, and some live far away. Some have moms, dads, grandparents, step-parents, or friends who feel just like family.

What makes a family isn’t just who is in it—it is the love, laughter, and care shared every day. For children, these strong family bonds are the foundation for learning how to build healthy relationships and care for others.

Today, let's celebrate your family in all its wonderful, one-of-a-kind, perfectly unique ways.

Learn more about creating a strong family here:

COAD4kids offers a variety of family education courses and programs to families in need throughout our 31 counties. We offer the following Family Education Courses, free of charge: Contact Michelle…

09/23/2026

Supporting Resource Families Every Step of the Way

Are you thinking about becoming a foster, adoptive, or kinship care family? COAD4kids is here to support you on this meaningful journey!

From helping you choose the right agency to guiding you through the entire licensing process, we are with you every step of the way. We can even assist with covering the cost of background checks and provide essential safety items—like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and safety locks—to ensure your home is ready and safe.

By partnering with both private and public agencies, we are dedicated to recruiting and supporting wonderful families just like yours.

Learn more here:

Support for Resource Families Navigating the Licensing Process: Guidance and personalized support for prospective foster families as they choose an agency and complete licensing requirements. Peer Support & Community: Interactive support groups, Parent Cafés, and regular networking events to connec...

09/18/2026

Have you ever wondered where a career in child care could take you? For many parents, it offers a wonderful opportunity to care for their own children while also holding a fulfilling job. For others, a passion for early childhood education sparks the desire to work from home and nurture young minds.

If you are considering this rewarding path, our free services are designed to help you start and grow your own child care business. We are dedicated to improving the quality and accessibility of child care throughout Appalachian Ohio.

Whether your goal is to provide a nurturing learning environment in your home or to open a larger child care center with a team of educators, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Reach out to us at [email protected] to learn how we can help you get started.

09/16/2026

Finding affordable, quality child care can be a challenge for many Ohio families, sometimes even forcing parents to cut back on their work hours. Did you know that employers can play a wonderful role in supporting working parents and child care providers alike? By offering child care assistance, businesses can help families thrive while also building strong, loyal teams.

Here are a few practical ways employers can get involved in supporting our communities:
🚸Contract With a Child Care Provider: Employers can fund or subsidize spots within a local child care facility for their team members.
🚸On-Site or Near-Site Child Care: Companies can sponsor a child care program right on or near their premises, keeping families close.
🚸Partner With Other Employers: Neighboring businesses can team up to share the costs of operating a child care program for their employees.

When we work together, we create a supportive environment for our children to learn and grow!
Learn more about these valuable resources here:

For working parents with young children, finding affordable, high-quality child care can be a challenge. As an employer, you can lower the barriers to finding care by helping with the cost at a nearby…