Early Childhood Alliance Inc

TO BUILD BETTER FUTURES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN BY PROMOTING AND PROVIDING EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION.

CHILD CARE WAS PROVIDED FROM 6 AM TO 6 PM WEEKDAYS FOR 286 CHILDREN IN 2021. THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HIGH SCOPE CURRICULUM WAS UTILIZED. MORE THAN 85% OF THE CHILDREN CAME FROM LOW-INCOME OR AT-RISK FAMILIES. IN ADDITION TO THE DIRECT SERVICES REVENUE SHOWN ABOVE, ECA RECEIVED FEDERAL GRANT MONIES, COMMUNITY GRANTS, AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO FUND THIS PROGRAM.

THE CACFP FOOD PROGRAM MONITORS AND REIMBURSES 192 FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES AND CHILD CARE CENTERS IMPACTING MORE THAN 3287 CHILDREN ANNUALLY. THE HOMES AND CENTERS PREPARE NUTRITIONALLY BALANCED MEALS AND SNACKS FOR CHILDREN IN 17 NORTHEAST INDIANA COUNTIES. EARLY CHILDHOOD ALLIANCE RECEIVED FEDERAL GRANT MONIES TO FUND THIS PROGRAM AND DISBURSED OVER 2 MILLION IN REIMBURSEMENTS TO THE HOME CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND CENTERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM.

ECA PROVIDES SEVERAL INNOVATIVE APPROACHES IN WORKING WITH FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN ACROSS THE REGION. SPARKITS PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH DEVELOPMENTAL INFORMATION, RESOURCES AND MATERIALS TO TEACH SPECIFIC SKILLS WITH THEIR CHILDREN. THE KITS ARE DELIVERED TO THE HOME OF PARTICIPATING FAMILIES. BRIGHT BY TEXT PROVIDES SEVERAL TEXTS EACH WEEK TO PARTICIPATING FAMILIES AND PROVIDES DEVELOPMENTAL INFORMATION, HEALTHY RECIPES AND LOCAL RESOURCES TO FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTY. IN ADDITION, ECA PROVIDES BOOKS AND IMPORTANT MESSAGES TO LOCAL PEDIATRIC AND OB OFFICES ALONG WITH RESOURCES AND BOOKS AT THE PARKVIEW BIRTHING CENTERS. IN 2021, ECA PROVIDED FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SERVICES TO MORE THAN 6000 FAMILIES ACROSS THE REGION, IMPACTING MORE THAN 6100 CHILDREN. THESE RESOURCES HAVE BEEN ESPECIALLY RELEVANT DURING THE PANDEMIC AND ASSISTED PARENTS WITH "LEARNING LOSS" CONCERNS WHEN CHILDREN COULD NOT ATTEND SCHOOL. ECA ALSO PROVIDES CLASSES AND SUPPORT TO CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ACROSS THE REGION, ASSISTING PROVIDERS IN OBTAINING THEIR CDA. IN ADDITION TO CDA CLASSES, ECA'S ENGAGING CHILD CARE PROJECT TO IMPACT INFANT MORTAILITY PROVIDED ON-SITE SUPPORT FOR PROVIDERS AND FAMILIES IN THE 46806 ZIP CODE IN FORT WAYNE. IN 2021, EARLY CHILDHOOD ALLIANCE PROVIDED SUPPORT TO MORE THAN 6000 FAMILIES AND OVER 230 CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, IMPACTING APPROXIMATELY 9,900 CHILDREN ACROSS THE REGION.

THE ECA SHARED SERVICES NETWORK IS A PROGRAM SET TO HELP FAMILY CHILDCARE HOMES INCREASE ENROLLMENT, REDUCE ADMINISTRATIVE TASK LIST, AND GROW THEIR BUSINESS THROUGH THE HELP OF TOOLS AND COACHING. MEMBERS BECOME PART OF A PROFESSIONAL COHORT OF OTHER CHILDCARE OWNERS WHO THEY CAN LEAN ON FOR SUPPORT IN THE GOOD AND BAD TIMES. THIS PROGRAM WAS IN PLANNING PHASE IN 2021.