Child Care Answers launches new Rise Forward strategic plan, expands support for child care professionals across Central Indiana

Child Care Answers (CCA), a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening early care and education across central Indiana, today announced the rollout of its new strategic plan, Rise Forward, marking a new chapter for the organization following the sunset of its longstanding child care resource and referral contract with the State of Indiana’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL).

“This past year has tested us in ways we never anticipated, but it has also shown us what’s possible when a community rallies around a cause it believes in,” said Mollie Smith, CCA’s executive director. “Our new strategic plan isn’t just about adapting to change; it’s about building an organization that is more responsive, more collaborative, and more sustainable for child care programs and the families who depend on them.”

CCA credits key funders, including United Way of Central Indiana, Glick Philanthropies, and the community foundations of Hendricks, Hamilton, and Boone Counties for standing by the organization through the transition. “When our state contract ended, these funders didn’t hesitate; they leaned in,” Smith said.

Expanding support across Central Indiana

Central to CCA’s new strategic direction is the expansion of hands-on support for child care professionals beyond Marion County. Thanks to joint investment from the Hendricks County Community Foundation, Hamilton County Community Foundation, Blue River Community Foundation, and Boone County Community Foundation, CCA is deepening its focus on the unique needs of Hamilton, Hendricks, Boone, and Shelby counties. Child care resource specialists in each county will serve as trusted connectors for child care professionals, family-facing organizations, employers, and community partners, helping local programs navigate resources and strengthen operations.

While specialists tailor their approach to each county’s needs, CCA is also building structured ways for these communities to learn from one another. By sharing strategies and adapting what works in one county for use in another, no community must solve a problem from scratch.

“By bringing dedicated specialists back into Hamilton and Hendricks Counties, expanding our work there, and introducing our work in Boone and Shelby Counties, we are creating opportunities for child care professionals in these communities to have someone in their corner who understands both the local landscape and the bigger picture,” Smith said. “We’re incredibly grateful to the community foundations who saw the value in this work and made it possible.”

CCA is also seeking additional funding to bring this model to more central Indiana communities, aiming to build a replicable framework that other counties can adopt and adapt to fit their own child care landscape.

Central Indiana Child Care Alliance launches in Hamilton & Boone counties

CCA also recently launched the Central Indiana Child Care Alliance in Hamilton and Boone counties, following a successful Marion County pilot. Developed with United Way of Central Indiana, the Alliance gives family child care home programs access to coaching and shared fiscal, marketing, and HR tools to reduce costs and build sustainability.

“Running a child care business alone is hard,” said Julie Carey, CCA’s shared services director. “The Alliance takes some of that weight off their shoulders so they can spend more time doing what they love: caring for children and supporting families.”

Licensed family child care home programs in Hamilton and Boone counties can apply at childcareanswers.org/alliance. CCA anticipates expanding the Alliance to additional counties.

Looking ahead

CCA’s new strategic plan reflects lessons learned over nearly 40 years of service.

“We’ve never done this work alone, and we’re not about to start now,” Smith said. “Our strategic plan is a roadmap, but it’s our funders, partners, and communities who make the destination possible.”

About Child Care Answers
For over 40 years, Child Care Answers has strengthened early care and education across central Indiana by equipping child care professionals, supporting sustainability in child care programs, and bringing partners together around solutions that help children, families, employers, and communities thrive. Learn more at childcareanswers.org.