June 25, 2025 • 9 mins
Goodwill has a new partnership to tackle the difficulty of finding daycare. A new walk-in opportunity center has opened in Fairfield, OH and the new collaboration with 4C for Children provides information to find daycare solutions.
My guest is Chelsea Ashcraft, Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries Director of Developmental Services.
Click here to go to Goodwill in Cincinnati.
My guest is Chelsea Ashcraft, Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries Director of Developmental Services.
Click here to go to Goodwill in Cincinnati.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome back to the second half of the show. I'm
Sandy Collins on iHeart Cincy and today we've got some
answers for folks who are job hunting and more importantly
have daycare and childcare issues that they don't know where
to turn. Today our friends are back from Ohio Valley
Goodwill Industries. My guest today is Chelsea Ashcraft. She's the
(00:22):
director of developmental Services. So childcare is like the biggest
issue in the country when it comes to working parents.
What is happening now at Goodwill and how are you
helping that in Butler County.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
At Ohio Valley Goodwill, we are essentially on a mission
to eliminate barriers, elevate human potential, and really just help
people on their path to finding successful employment, supporting individuals
with developmental disabilities, and supporting folks with housing. So we
(00:55):
went we started a community needs assessment and did a
survey and was really reaching out to folks to see
what are those barriers that people want to overcome. And
as we did that survey, we quickly realized the impact
that childcare has on people being able to be employed
and take care of their families while earning an income.
(01:17):
So knowing that that was something that wasn't in our
specific portfolio or what we were professionals with, we started
to look around and we actually have partnered with FORC
for Children, who is another nonprofit and they are working
with us to help eliminate that barrier of childcare. So
(01:40):
in Butler County specifically, we've just had our grand opening
of our Opportunity Center where we offer our services and resources,
and Force for Children are joining us and collaborating with us,
so they will be on site weekly as well to
help folks with the childcare aspect.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
So is this childcare available to everybody in southwest Ohio?
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Yeah? So for C for Children actually they have a
database and I believe there's like fifteen hundred different providers
within their database that they are able to search and
help find the right fit for families.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
Wo.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
So yeah, so whether people are working first, second, even
into third shift needing weekend support, they're able to utilize
that resource and help people find a childcare provider that
meets their needs and is well qualified.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Does for C for Children vet these people at all?
Is there any guarantees or any sort of you know,
doult checking on these folks well?
Speaker 2 (02:47):
I think the agency would be able to really share
more as far as what is the vetting process that
they actually go through, because again it's a collaboration in
partnership with good Will, so they're the professionals coming into
Goodwill's opportunity centers to offer that. But yes, I believe
(03:08):
that all of the providers that are in this database
are considered qualified considering what the expectations are with the
state and their guidelines.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Okay, so when you say here's a resource for childcare,
everybody gets their ears up.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
So let's just get right down to it.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
So if you are a parent and you're looking for childcare,
what do you recommend people do right now?
Speaker 2 (03:30):
I would recommend folks to come into our Goodwill Opportunity centers,
whether that is our opportunity center that just opened in
Fairfield that's for six zero five Dixie Highway. We are
open Monday through Friday from eight to five, and then
also we're in the building on Saturdays as well from
(03:52):
nine to three, so if weekdays don't work where they're
then too. We also have our main campus which is
located in Tri County Woodlawn area at ten six hundred
Springfield Pike. But come into those opportunity centers attached to
our Goodwills and let people know that you have a
need for childcare and we'll be there to support and
(04:14):
help you navigate that need.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Do you recommend or not telephone calls?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
We're open to them, but really the best way to
get things going is to just come in. People can
reach out by phone and we can get the process
started that way as well.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
Good because that's always the question people have, especially if
they live, you know, farther away from Fairfield and you know,
maybe they're in Indiana area or northern Kentucky.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Do you also serve the folks in those areas as well?
Speaker 2 (04:46):
So Ohio Valley Goodwill supports about nine counties and that
goes into Indiana and down into the three border counties
in Kentucky as well. So yes, we have opportunities for all.
I would say if people are further away from those
(05:07):
main locations, then you're right go ahead and give us
a call and see how we can support first.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
That sounds good.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
I'm talking with the Chelsea Ashcraft and she's the director
of developmental Services for Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries, and they
have collaborated with another nonprofit to make childcare easier to find,
especially if you have a funky schedule.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Can we just call it that, Chelsea, Yes, absolutely, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
A lot of folks just have to work, you know,
odd shifts or they work two jobs, and so they
can find somebody during the day, but with a few
nights a week that they have to work, they can't
find anybody. And that just sounds like a great resource.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Is there any fee involved with your services for this?
Speaker 2 (05:50):
No, no fees to connect with us and to be
able to access this as a resource. And then of
course four C for Children will also help people along
the path of identifying what kind of vouchers are available
for them when they think about childcare. Of course, being
able to shop for the best price, because we know
that it is certainly a heavy expense for folks, which
(06:11):
makes it difficult for people. So I would just encourage
people to come in and see us and learn how
we can help meet those needs, whether it's the childcare
piece or anything else that we offer around again, just
addressing barriers and helping people meet their full potential.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
This looks like it might be kind of a cool
model for other communities if it works out. Really well,
do you have any kind of future ideas about what's
going to happen here?
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Are you just going to get started and see where
it goes?
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Yes? Absolutely, Again I kind of covered that area that
we are our territory or where we're working, but we
are working towards building another opportunity center out remodeling some
space out towards Claremont County, which we know those rural
areas can really struggle with support that's available to them,
(07:01):
So we're going to be out in that area and
just looking at our overall territory, where are the greatest
needs and where can we go next.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
I was looking in some of the information that you've
provided and we're talking about working with job seekers at
the new opportunity center, and then the childcare issue is
part of that. So you're also able to help folks
looking for jobs.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Yes, absolutely so. If people are seeking employment opportunities on
that search for employment, whether it's entry level or something
that you're educated in and still looking, we can support them.
Whether it's building a resume, just having access to a
computer and being able to apply for jobs. If there's
(07:49):
a potential language barrier there, we can support with that
and also We have classes and courses based on the needs.
So if it's digital literacy where people want to get
their skills up so they can go into that world
or other areas as well, we're there to again just
navigate what are your goals and how can we help
you get there.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
That's fantastic, Chelsea, Thank you so much for your time.
Where do you suggest folks go?
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Is there anything online that they can look up and
read up on this?
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Yeah? Absolutely, we are on LinkedIn and Facebook under Ohio
Valley Goodwill for those that prefer social media. If you're
looking for the website, you can visit us at www
dot Cincinnati Goodwill dot org. And I know you mentioned
phone calls as well, so if it's okay, I'll throw
out our phone number two and that's five one three,
(08:41):
seven seven one forty eight hundred. That's our main campus,
and you explain what that need is and we'll help
navigate you to.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
The right person good and ask for more.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Thank you so much, Chelsea Ashcraft from Goodwill here in Santis.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Thank you, Jill, thank you.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
That's iHeart Cincy for this week. You can find this
show on the iheartra podcast section. Just search for my
name Sandy Collins and if you've got a great guest,
a great program, a great event.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
It's coming up here in the Tri State. You want
people to know about it, just let me know.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Send me an email to Iheartsincy with an I at
iHeartMedia dot com. Iheartsincy at iHeartMedia dot com. Till next week,
take care.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
iHeart Cincy is a production of iHeartMedia, Cincinnati,
Welcome back to the second half of the show. I'm
Sandy Collins on iHeart Cincy and today we've got some
answers for folks who are job hunting and more importantly
have daycare and childcare issues that they don't know where
to turn. Today our friends are back from Ohio Valley
Goodwill Industries. My guest today is Chelsea Ashcraft. She's the
(00:22):
director of developmental Services. So childcare is like the biggest
issue in the country when it comes to working parents.
What is happening now at Goodwill and how are you
helping that in Butler County.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
At Ohio Valley Goodwill, we are essentially on a mission
to eliminate barriers, elevate human potential, and really just help
people on their path to finding successful employment, supporting individuals
with developmental disabilities, and supporting folks with housing. So we
(00:55):
went we started a community needs assessment and did a
survey and was really reaching out to folks to see
what are those barriers that people want to overcome. And
as we did that survey, we quickly realized the impact
that childcare has on people being able to be employed
and take care of their families while earning an income.
(01:17):
So knowing that that was something that wasn't in our
specific portfolio or what we were professionals with, we started
to look around and we actually have partnered with FORC
for Children, who is another nonprofit and they are working
with us to help eliminate that barrier of childcare. So
(01:40):
in Butler County specifically, we've just had our grand opening
of our Opportunity Center where we offer our services and resources,
and Force for Children are joining us and collaborating with us,
so they will be on site weekly as well to
help folks with the childcare aspect.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
So is this childcare available to everybody in southwest Ohio?
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Yeah? So for C for Children actually they have a
database and I believe there's like fifteen hundred different providers
within their database that they are able to search and
help find the right fit for families.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
Wo.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
So yeah, so whether people are working first, second, even
into third shift needing weekend support, they're able to utilize
that resource and help people find a childcare provider that
meets their needs and is well qualified.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Does for C for Children vet these people at all?
Is there any guarantees or any sort of you know,
doult checking on these folks well?
Speaker 2 (02:47):
I think the agency would be able to really share
more as far as what is the vetting process that
they actually go through, because again it's a collaboration in
partnership with good Will, so they're the professionals coming into
Goodwill's opportunity centers to offer that. But yes, I believe
(03:08):
that all of the providers that are in this database
are considered qualified considering what the expectations are with the
state and their guidelines.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Okay, so when you say here's a resource for childcare,
everybody gets their ears up.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
So let's just get right down to it.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
So if you are a parent and you're looking for childcare,
what do you recommend people do right now?
Speaker 2 (03:30):
I would recommend folks to come into our Goodwill Opportunity centers,
whether that is our opportunity center that just opened in
Fairfield that's for six zero five Dixie Highway. We are
open Monday through Friday from eight to five, and then
also we're in the building on Saturdays as well from
(03:52):
nine to three, so if weekdays don't work where they're
then too. We also have our main campus which is
located in Tri County Woodlawn area at ten six hundred
Springfield Pike. But come into those opportunity centers attached to
our Goodwills and let people know that you have a
need for childcare and we'll be there to support and
(04:14):
help you navigate that need.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Do you recommend or not telephone calls?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
We're open to them, but really the best way to
get things going is to just come in. People can
reach out by phone and we can get the process
started that way as well.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
Good because that's always the question people have, especially if
they live, you know, farther away from Fairfield and you know,
maybe they're in Indiana area or northern Kentucky.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Do you also serve the folks in those areas as well?
Speaker 2 (04:46):
So Ohio Valley Goodwill supports about nine counties and that
goes into Indiana and down into the three border counties
in Kentucky as well. So yes, we have opportunities for all.
I would say if people are further away from those
(05:07):
main locations, then you're right go ahead and give us
a call and see how we can support first.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
That sounds good.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
I'm talking with the Chelsea Ashcraft and she's the director
of developmental Services for Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries, and they
have collaborated with another nonprofit to make childcare easier to find,
especially if you have a funky schedule.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Can we just call it that, Chelsea, Yes, absolutely, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
A lot of folks just have to work, you know,
odd shifts or they work two jobs, and so they
can find somebody during the day, but with a few
nights a week that they have to work, they can't
find anybody. And that just sounds like a great resource.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Is there any fee involved with your services for this?
Speaker 2 (05:50):
No, no fees to connect with us and to be
able to access this as a resource. And then of
course four C for Children will also help people along
the path of identifying what kind of vouchers are available
for them when they think about childcare. Of course, being
able to shop for the best price, because we know
that it is certainly a heavy expense for folks, which
(06:11):
makes it difficult for people. So I would just encourage
people to come in and see us and learn how
we can help meet those needs, whether it's the childcare
piece or anything else that we offer around again, just
addressing barriers and helping people meet their full potential.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
This looks like it might be kind of a cool
model for other communities if it works out. Really well,
do you have any kind of future ideas about what's
going to happen here?
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Are you just going to get started and see where
it goes?
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Yes? Absolutely, Again I kind of covered that area that
we are our territory or where we're working, but we
are working towards building another opportunity center out remodeling some
space out towards Claremont County, which we know those rural
areas can really struggle with support that's available to them,
(07:01):
So we're going to be out in that area and
just looking at our overall territory, where are the greatest
needs and where can we go next.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
I was looking in some of the information that you've
provided and we're talking about working with job seekers at
the new opportunity center, and then the childcare issue is
part of that. So you're also able to help folks
looking for jobs.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Yes, absolutely so. If people are seeking employment opportunities on
that search for employment, whether it's entry level or something
that you're educated in and still looking, we can support them.
Whether it's building a resume, just having access to a
computer and being able to apply for jobs. If there's
(07:49):
a potential language barrier there, we can support with that
and also We have classes and courses based on the needs.
So if it's digital literacy where people want to get
their skills up so they can go into that world
or other areas as well, we're there to again just
navigate what are your goals and how can we help
you get there.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
That's fantastic, Chelsea, Thank you so much for your time.
Where do you suggest folks go?
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Is there anything online that they can look up and
read up on this?
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Yeah? Absolutely, we are on LinkedIn and Facebook under Ohio
Valley Goodwill for those that prefer social media. If you're
looking for the website, you can visit us at www
dot Cincinnati Goodwill dot org. And I know you mentioned
phone calls as well, so if it's okay, I'll throw
out our phone number two and that's five one three,
(08:41):
seven seven one forty eight hundred. That's our main campus,
and you explain what that need is and we'll help
navigate you to.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
The right person good and ask for more.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Thank you so much, Chelsea Ashcraft from Goodwill here in Santis.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Thank you, Jill, thank you.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
That's iHeart Cincy for this week. You can find this
show on the iheartra podcast section. Just search for my
name Sandy Collins and if you've got a great guest,
a great program, a great event.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
It's coming up here in the Tri State. You want
people to know about it, just let me know.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Send me an email to Iheartsincy with an I at
iHeartMedia dot com. Iheartsincy at iHeartMedia dot com. Till next week,
take care.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
iHeart Cincy is a production of iHeartMedia, Cincinnati,
Popular Podcasts
United States of Kennedy
United States of Kennedy is a podcast about our cultural fascination with the Kennedy dynasty. Every week, hosts Lyra Smith and George Civeris go into one aspect of the Kennedy story.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com