All News & StoriesLast month, we shared some exciting news: after nearly four decades standing alongside the early care and education community across central Indiana, Child Care Answers has completed our 2026–2029 strategic plan—Rise Forward. Since then, we’ve had a little time to sit with it, and we wanted to come back and share more of the thinking behind the plan—and the people who made it possible.
A Plan Built by Many Hands
This plan is the product of months of deep thinking, honest conversation, and genuine collaboration. Our board offered steady encouragement along the way, but it was our staff who truly drove this process—bringing the day-to-day wisdom of what child care professionals need, asking hard questions, and pushing our thinking further at every turn. Our partners—county leaders, coalitions, employers, and community organizations—stood by us every step of the way, sharpening our focus with every conversation.
Some of the most meaningful moments came through trusted relationships built over the years. Conversations with local community foundations surfaced with real opportunities to support communities close to home—the kind that only emerges when people already trust you enough to bring you into the room.
Where We’re Headed
The name Rise Forward isn’t just a title—it’s the idea behind everything in this plan. Four priorities carry us there:
- Getting Our House in Order—strengthening our leadership and the everyday systems that keep us running smoothly.
- Focusing on What Helps Most—doubling down on hands-on support, training, and peer connections for child care professionals.
- Diversifying How We’re Funded—broadening our funding base so we can keep showing up no matter what changes around us.
- Speaking Up, Louder and Clearer—telling our story and making sure child care professionals’ voices are heard where decisions get made.
Each priority builds on the last—a foundation to rise from, a focus to rise toward, and a voice to rise with.
Proud of What’s Already Behind Us
Before we look too far ahead, we want to pause and acknowledge what’s already been built. The Central Indiana Child Care Alliance has grown into real infrastructure for shared services, and our professional development work is already starting to take shape, with new training and opportunities in the planning stages.
As Executive Director, I’d like to take a moment to speak for myself. I’ve watched this team pour themselves into the work over the past year—long conversations, hard questions, late nights reworking a plan until it truly reflected who we are—all while doing the work that really matters most: showing up for child care professionals across our region as they navigated a very difficult time. I’m proud of what we’ve built, and deeply grateful to every staff member, board member, and partner who showed up with honesty and heart. I’m just as excited about who’s joining us: we’re adding strong new staff to our team, and I know they’ll help carry Rise Forward from a plan on paper into real change.
There’s So Much More to Come
We’re energized because we can already see the shape of what’s next. We’ve translated Rise Forward into an implementation plan with clear timelines and accountability. As we reach milestones, or find we need more support along the way, we’ll keep sharing updates with our staff, partners, and stakeholders.
This is a living plan, not a finished one. Thank you to everyone who helped shape Rise Forward—your voice is on every page. We can’t wait to build what’s next, together.
— Mollie Smith, Executive Director, Child Care Answers
