About Us

At NEIECC, our mission and vision are centered around the core value of fostering a region’s strong early childhood opportunities and efforts. We recognize that these opportunities are the result of dedicated work within local communities. By supporting and championing these initiatives, we believe that we can pave the way for optimal growth and learning in our young children.

We understand the importance of coming together to prioritize and collaborate on early childhood efforts. It is through this collective effort that we can establish a solid foundation for future success and well-being in our region.

Above all, we are inspired to make a difference in the lives of our youngest residents by nurturing their limitless potential. We believe that every child deserves access to high-quality early childhood experiences, regardless of their circumstances or backgrounds.

Through our commitment to being child-centered, collaborative, agile, operating with integrity and innovation, we strive to empower families, educators, and communities to create an environment where all children thrive. Together, let us build a future filled with endless possibilities for our youngest learners.

History of NEIECC

**December 2021: **Ambassador Enterprises gathered local leaders to discuss promising practices and gauge interest in building a community of practice.

January 2022: The group decided that we could do more together with a coordinated effort. Gensyn Design began working with the group to define priorities and develop a process to move groups from conversations to actions.

May 2022: After 5 months of design work, the group defined priorities of advocacy, messaging, employer and workforce supports, as well as building strong county coalitions. A structure and governance was defined and a coordinator was hired.

June 2022: The First Strategic Doing Workshop was launched with over 40 participants in NEI. Projects around employer relationships, legislative advocacy, and support of the early childhood workforce were developed.

December 2022: Completed a legislative ask and economic impact study of a Tri-Share Model, surveying over 1,400 employees on child care needs and connecting with 80 directors in the region to measure the “real life” of a director

**February 2023: ** Launched round 2 of Strategic Doing focusing on projects around employers connecting to childcare, an organized grassroots effort to support legislation, organizing childcare providers to understand and advocate for sustainable care, and sharing the message of the Regional Coalition

**August 2023: ** Launched “TPMA” 2.0, a second study that takes a closer look at the state of child care and early learning in Northeast Indiana by surveys, focus groups, and individual interviews with employers, parents, providers, economic development experts, community members, and more.

**December 2023: ** Presentation on results from TPMA 2.0 at quarterly meeting of the full coalition, and focused on building out a regional Tri-Share Program and Shared Services Network.