YWCA CC&R Partners with StepAhead to Implement New Communication Method

Special to The Truth

The YWCA of Northwest Ohio, Child Care Resource and Referral announced a new partnership with StepAhead to launch a new form of communication with their clients in Northwest Ohio. StepAhead is the leading communications company specializing in (SMS) short-message text messaging service for non-profit organizations, child care programs, education, public health and government.

Texting is becoming the most effective way for businesses to communicate with their customers and audiences, with a 98 percent open rate and 94 percent read rate. StepAhead’s communication platform provides a fast and easy way for CCR&R agencies and non-profit organizations, like the YWCA, to text using their computer or mobile device to connect with child care providers and families with a click of a button.

As the world slowly recovers from the COVID pandemic, it is imperative that Ohio child care providers and families not only know about what is going on with the YWCA CCR&R, but rapid state updates as well. Many YWCA clients do not have internet access or phone service. It has been proven that traditional communication methods like email are slowly declining.

“Our partnership with StepAhead give us the ability to better connect with our audience. Our clients can interact with us through text in real-time, avoiding lost emails or busy phone lines,” said Dani Raymond, YWCA CCR&R Professional Development Specialist. “We are the first CCR&R in Ohio to partner with StepAhead and are excited to work with this truly unique communication company,”

Providers and families can expect to receive event announcements, licensing updates and early childhood resources.

Child Care Providers can join the YWCA texting program by sending CCCHAMPS to 59925

Parents and families can sign up by sending YWCARES to 59925.

Over the past seven years, StepAhead has partnered with and provided text messaging services for CCR&R non-profits in 10 States; Community Action agencies; Head Start programs; YMCAs; and several national entities. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience developing and implementing simple, customized texting programs
that produce results and meet the needs of the ever-changing health and human services space.

For more information on StepAhead visit www.stepaheadnow.com

The YWCA Child Care Resource and Referral (YWCA CCR&R) is a state-funded child care resource and referral agency, serving 20 counties in Northwest Ohio from three regional offices, located in Toledo, Lima and Mansfield. The YWCA CCR&R provides a wide range of services to child care providers and families in the community.
They offer professional development and classroom coaching to help providers improve their classroom practices. They also help families find child care and match up with those quality programs.

For more information about the Child Care Resource and Referral, visit www.ywcaccrrevents.org or call 419-255-5519.

The YWCA of Northwest Ohio, working to meet the diverse needs of women and the elimination of racism, serves more than 15,000 individuals each year through various programs. The programs include: Domestic Violence Shelter, Rape Crisis Center, Child Care Resource and Referral, Youth Development, Long Term Housing, and Healthy Connections.