Sprout by 5 Early Childhood Coalition
Joining The Northeast Indiana Regional Early Childhood Coalition
Investing in our youngest community members is an investment in the future prosperity of Huntington County. Early childhood success is crucial for fostering long-term growth and development.
By collaborating as a community and developing innovative solutions to meet the needs of early childhood, we can be at the forefront of transformative change!
All children are born with a fresh start in the world. They don’t have control of where they go, what happens next or where they end up. That’s why providing resources and safe places for children contributes to the lives that need it most in our local community.
Jenna Wilkinson — Director of Pathfinder Early Learning Center
Sprout by 5 Early Childhood Coalition
Sprout by 5 is focused on five key pillars within early childhood:
- Addressing childcare needs by increasing capacity, quality, affordability and accessibility.
- Prioritizing building a strong foundation of health and safety for our youngest community members.
- Supporting school readiness by defining what it means to be ready to learn.
- Recognizing the importance of childcare in driving economic development and ensuring Huntington County thrives.
- Fostering community growth, knowing that a thriving early childhood sector is essential for long-term success.
Northeast Indiana Regional Early Childhood Coalition
Addressing complex systemic challenges requires regional collaboration. Through partnership with the Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition (NEIECC), which represents 11 counties, Sprout by 5 has made significant progress in tackling early childhood challenges from multiple angles. In the spring of 2024, NEIECC was awarded $5 million from the Strategic Development Commission to implement the Tri-Share Plus program, which addresses childcare needs from the perspectives of families, workforce demands and the sustainability of childcare programs.
Parents
Childcare Providers
Community
- What is the Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition? (NEIECC)
- Data Center | Brighter Futures Indiana
- Reading Materials:
- Why is Childcare So Expensive When Child Care Providers Are Paid So Little?
- Why Words Matter in Describing Early Childhood Education
- 4 Trends in Early Care and Education Quality Rating and Improvement Systems
- Report: 80% of Indiana’s Early Childhood Educators Don’t Make Sustainable Wage
- 3 Things People Get Wrong About Childcare – That Probably Includes You
Committed Local Stakeholders
Contact Information
Interested in getting involved or partnering with the Coalition? Please contact Courtney Bonbrake at 260-289-2123 or courtney@huntingtonccf.org
The Coalition’s mission is to create positive early childhood experiences through community collaboration.
