



Engaging and Empowering Families
Building Community Capacity
Coordinating Systems and Services
Shared Accountability
Spring, A time to revive and renew!
We hope this newsletter inspires you to take time this spring to reflect on the dreams you have for yourself. Whether big or small, maybe now is the time to bring your dream to life and start something better for you!
Enjoy!
Brainteaser answer at the bottom of this page
Congratulations Leadership Cohort Class of 2023!


Graduate, Miriam Ali, from Nationwide Children's Hospital, accepts her Certificate from Melanie Fling
Row 1- Stephanie Bennett, Crystal Sipe, Madison Kirkpatrick, Lataya Croom, Yvonne Williams, Patty Warner, Jeffrey Lemichuk, Diana Alexander. Row 2- Miriam Ali, Ashley Palmer, Tiffany Nethers, Kat Robinson, Kandice Hosko, Melissa Shaw, Amy Grezlik.
The 2023 Leadership Cohort held its graduation ceremony on May 4.
Leadership Cohort members have been meeting monthly since September of 2022, engaging in opportunities to build relationships, expand their knowledge of community providers, challenges and opportunities, and strengthening their leadership skills to create a county-wide leadership network of providers with in-depth knowledge of child and family serving systems.

Graduate Ashley Palmer is introduced as the newest member of the Children and Families First Council Team!
United Way of Licking County celebrates 90 years!
Children and Families First Council is proud to be a United Way of Licking County funded partner. Thank you for your support!

United Way of Licking County Community Partner's Council
The April 12 Community Partner's Council forum educated the community on how to protect and support the youngest members of our community. Presenters included Licking County Job and Family Services Child Protective Services staff - Kim Wilhelm, Protective Services Administrator; Courtney Turner, Screening and Intake Supervisor and Melanie Fling, Multi-System Services Supervisor with Licking County Children and Families First Council.


Rounding out the panel were Tara Clark, School Counselor with Heath City Schools; Alicia Smith, Program Manager of Family and Childcare Services with Action for Children; Beth Rutter, Early Childhood Team Leader and Early Intervention Contract Manager with the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Christine McKee, Coordinator and Victim Advocate with Licking Memorial Health Systems Kids’ Place Child Advocacy Center.
Licking County Children and Families First Council's 2023-2025 Shared Plan provides an agenda for Council members in our work to achieve better results for families and children. Our priorities:
Parent and family voice
Service Coordination and Wraparound services
Trauma Informed Care
Collaborative, community-based early interventions
The answer for the Spring SOS Newsletter brainteaser:
N and D. These are the initials of the months in a year!
Upcoming Meetings and Classes
February 1, April 5 and June 7, 2023 Full Council meetings are held in-person at the Licking County Health Department, 675 Price Rd., Newark. We also offer a virtual option-
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 241 332 410 677. Passcode: yexDtR
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or call in (audio only) +1 614-721-2972,,521397225# United States, Columbus. Phone Conference ID: 521 397 225#
Make a referral to Community Support Teaming High Fidelity Wraparound and Service Coordination. Click here for the referral form. Click here for the Release of Information
Schedule a consultation with Early Childhood Clinical Committee (child birth to age 8) or Clinical Committee (older youth). Click here for Consultation Form. Click here for Early Childhood Clinical Committee Release of Information. Click here for Clinical Committee Release of Information.
Find Help!
Parenting Classes, Home Visiting Programs, and More!
