Empowering Families, Enriching Lives
Ottawa County Family & Children First Council
A collaboration that unites families, the community, and government to address and prevent challenges.
WHAT WE DO
Core Functions
Coordinating Systems and Services
System Coordination brings individuals/agencies together to plan, strategize, prioritize, reach solutions, and monitor to ensure services are accessible
Engaging and Empowering Families
We support parents to be active contributing members, be involved in key decision-making efforts; and serve as an advocate for children, families, and communities.
Shared Resources, Risks, and Rewards
Shared accountability can only be achieved if the other three core functions are operational: engaging and empowering families, building community capacity, and coordinating systems and services.
Building Community Capacity
To build community capacity, it requires mobilizing communities to identify and address the ongoing needs of children and families through planning, implementing effective strategies, monitoring and reporting, and evaluating progress toward achieving desired outcomes.
WHY WE DO IT
Our Vision
That every child in Ottawa County will feel safe and secure within a stable family.
Our Mission
Serve as an agent of collaboration for all public and private agencies willing to participate as partners in the effort to help families stay together. Partnerships will be developed as necessary to meet the multiple needs of our children and their families.
HEALTHY CHILDREN
Together We Can
The Ottawa County Family & Children First Council operates under the Ohio Revised Code to enhance the well-being of families and children. As a partnership of public and private organizations dedicated to serving children and families, the Council promotes initiatives that foster safe and healthy environments for children, ensuring they are supported by their families and communities.
Our goals are to help:
Get our children to reach their fullest potential
Reduce child abuse and neglect
Strengthen parenting skills
Improve school success
Improve the lives of families and children with complex needs
Prevent substance abuse and other risky behaviors
Improve maternal and infant health
TESTIMONIALS
From Our Partners
“Ottawa County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ Early Intervention Program is proud to partner with the Ottawa County Family and Children First Council to identify, and develop, meaningful supports and programming for young children and their families.”
Stephanie Cavanaugh
Director of Early Intervention Services
Ottawa County Board of Developmental Disabilities
“Our organization works with the Ottawa County Family and Children First Council to support families and children who are involved with several public services. FCFC helps create a clear service plan for each family and ensures that all the involved agencies work together effectively.”
Mircea Handru
Executive Director
Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties
MEETINGS
2025-2026 Schedule
July 11, 2025
September 5, 2025
November 7, 2025
January 9, 2026
March 6, 2026
May 1, 2026