All Our Kids Early Childhood Networks
Welcome to the Wabash/Edwards County All Our Kids Network. The AOK program is a community-based collaboration committed to ensuring that expecting families and those with very young children have the opportunity to receive the services they need – from prenatal care, well-baby checkups, medical, dental and childcare services, parenting education and specialized services if needed.

As a community, we are realizing that we are not meant to do this alone…nor can we.  All Our Kids Early Childhood Network is focusing on empowering our parents/caregivers to become leaders and advocates for their children and family.  The Network serves as a sounding board, cheerleader, consultant, educator, and part family.  It enables parents, community members, service providers, the faith community, and more to gather together to make connections, develop new knowledge, and create opportunities through conversation.  Through conversation we are creating a climate for discovery and emergence.  

Our AOK Network is “Turning To One Another” through conversations.  When we participate in conversation that matter, they change us –the very fact that we are different when we leave is a form of harvesting that has huge impacts.  Because we are changed – our words and deeds are different than they would have been if we had not had the conversation.  

How do we help families restore a sense of self-respect, freedom and ultimately strong families?  We need to establish mutually respectful relationships.  We will never truly invest in community or each other until we connect at a level of dignity, respect and understanding – the basis of what relationships are built upon.

Wabash/Edwards County AOK Network utilizes Café Conversations, Circles, Appreciative Inquiry, and the Art of Hosting to break down isolation of people, agencies and systems.  To connect deeper and better understand the issues in our community:  Substance Abuse, Poverty/Job Loss, Generational Parenting, Family Time is Limited, Availability of Resources, Teen Pregnancy, and Loss of Connection.

For more information about the AOK Early Childhood Network, contact Jody Hanisch, AOK Coordinator, at 618-263-3873 ext. 234 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .