Steuben County Early Childhood Coalition Moves Toward Independent Status
Angola, IN— The Steuben County Early Childhood Coalition is taking a significant step toward becoming an independent 501(c)(3) organization, building on a year of progress focused on improving child care access, affordability, and quality across Steuben County.
The coalition brings together partners from education, business, government, health care, and early childhood services to address shared child care challenges. Over the past year, members have worked to formalize the coalition’s structure, strengthen coordination among partners, and develop a sustainable framework to support long-term community impact.
To inform this work, Transform Consulting Group conducted a comprehensive study combining public data with input from parents, employers, child care providers, and school administrators. The findings are guiding strategic planning and decision-making as the coalition prepares for its next phase of development. According to the study, Steuben County employers experience an estimated $12.1 million in annual losses related to child care disruptions, including absenteeism and workforce turnover.
“Coalition members have been intentional about building a strong foundation before pursuing independence. This work is grounded in data, community input, and collaboration to help ensure long-term sustainability and meaningful impact.”
Since the coalition’s formation, the Steuben County Community Foundation has served as a convener and fiscal partner, supporting early coordination, planning, and facilitation efforts. Transitioning to an independent nonprofit structure would allow the coalition to pursue funding directly, expand partnerships, and advance implementation efforts aligned with identified community needs.
The Steuben County Community Foundation will continue to share updates as the coalition moves forward with a community-informed strategic plan. More information, including details from the Transform Consulting Group report, is available at www.steubenfoundation.org/about/we-connect-community/scecc.