Franklin County Board of Commissioners Appoints New Early Learning Policy Administrators

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners announced this morning the appointment of Patrick Gamble and Susan Cosmo as the county’s new Early Learning Policy Administrators. In their roles, Gamble and Cosmo will be instrumental in coordinating the development of policies and procedures for county initiatives that support early learning and youth development.

The pair will oversee various county initiatives that foster youth development from birth through age eight. These initiatives encompass a wide array of programs, including Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC), Franklin County RISE, Step Up to Quality, Celebrate One, kinship care, and infant and maternal mortality reduction efforts.

"The addition of Patrick Gamble and Susan Cosmo signifies a substantial step forward in our commitment to the youngest members of our community,” said County Administrator, Kenneth N. Wilson. “With their leadership and knowledge, we are bound to enhance the quality of early learning initiatives and ensure a solid foundation for the future success of Franklin County's children. I have full confidence that their expertise will guide us toward a brighter and more promising future."

As a graduate from Capital University with a bachelor’s degree in history, Gamble has demonstrated a profound commitment to community development and early childhood education. Formerly the Senior Director of Development at SproutFive, a leading early childhood education provider in Franklin County, he played a pivotal role in increasing the organization's impact and capacity, resulting in a doubled annual operating budget. In addition, Gamble has over 10 years in health and human services leadership, relationship, and partnership management, further strengthening his ability to navigate the complexities of early learning policies.

“I am honored to join Franklin County and to have the opportunity to shape the foundation of our youngest leaners’ educational journey,” said Gamble. “Together with the dedicated educators, families and community partners of Franklin County, we will implement policies that empower every child to thrive and flourish.”

Cosmo graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and a master’s degree in curriculum, instruction and professional development. Her extensive background in education and administration includes serving as a kindergarten through third grade teacher and as an administrator for the Buckeye Local School District in Eastern Ohio. Cosmo was a director at the Ohio Department of Education where she oversaw various educational programs and compliance matters, which showcases her dedication to fostering educational excellence. Additionally, her expertise in drafting administrative rules and working with schools and districts to improve literacy in the early grades bolsters her capabilities in her new role.

“I am excited to be joining the Franklin County team where initiatives foster an inclusive, nurturing and innovative early learning environment,” said Cosmo. “And looking forward to working on developing policies and procedures that will benefit the children in our community.”

In 2022, over 24,000 children in Franklin County received PFCC and more than 450 received scholarships through Franklin County RISE, a $23 million investment to support Franklin County families who are struggling to pay for childcare, as well as childcare providers and staff. In recent years, the commissioners have also become dedicated in addressing the maternal mortality crisis and the inequities within by advocating for women’s health initiatives at the statehouse, as well as supporting Celebrate One, sponsoring a partnership between Franklin County Public Health and the reproductive justice organization, ROOTT, and making grants to support the African American Male Wellness Agency’s new doula program.