What We Do

Adams County Communities for Kids has a mission for all early childhood partners to come together to explore, enhance, and improve childcare and educational programs in our county.

Our dream for Adams County Communities for Kids is to provide every child with access and affordable childcare. Our dream is to be a resource for the community and all organizations that are involved in the early childhood world. Our dream is to be a leader of change in our local and state government and be a voice for the smallest members of our community, bringing value and esteem to the early childhood world.

Early Childhood Community Coordinator

Wendy Gwenapp
Wendy GwenappEarly Childhood Community Coordinator
Wendy Gwennap has just taken on the role of the Early Childhood Community Coordinator for Adams County. She has a true passion to address the quality and capacity needs of children in child care in Adams Co as well as the management of the Early Learning Scholarship project and a Spanish Speaking Bi-lingual Provider project. Her background in Early Childhood Education and her experience as a mom gives her a passion and understanding of the need for Quality Care in our community.

Our Committee

Our Communities for Kids Team is made up of individuals from all kinds of community organizations. The goal of Communities for Kids is to bring these programs together to use the resources in collaboration, benefiting Adams County with a wealth of resources.

Kimberly Milovac – Early Childhood Education Coordinator, Central Community College

Sharron Brooks – Board of Directors of the Child Development Council and the Hastings Board of Education

Kyla Habrock – Center Director, Hastings Early Child Development Center

Michael Krings – Executive Director, Hastings Economic Development Corporation

Chris Junker – Engagement Coordinator, Hastings Community Foundation

Kandace Garwood – Director of Special Education, Hastings Public Schools

Deb Ross – Executive Director, Head Start

Brooke Wolfe – Chronic Disease Prevention Coordinator, South Heartland Health Department

Jody Stutzman – Regional Director, Proteus, INC

Wendy Keele – Six Pence Grant Coordinator, Hastings Public Schools

Brady Rhodes – Community IMPACT Coordinator

Jodi Graves – Executive Director, United Way

Troy Stickels – CEO, Hastings YMCA

Tabbie Metalf – Hastings YMCA Child Care Director

Megan Krous – Kenesaw United Child Care Coalition

Stephanie Furrer – Hastings College Professor of Psychology and Department Chair

Jackie Zeckser – Central Community College Early Childhood Instructor

Jeff Schneider – Superintendent Hastings Public Schools

Jo Braun – Hastings Head Start Child Care Coordinator

Dr Juliana Cardoso Smith – Hastings College Assistant Professor of Psychology

Lynn DeVries – University of Lincoln Extension Educator, The Learning Child

Our Work

Our work is divided into three grants. Each grant has a sub-committee to oversee that work.

Spanish Speaking/Bilingual Child Care Support Initiative

Early Learning Scholarship

Early Childhood Quality Enhancement and Capacity Building