The Year in Review 2016-2017
OUR MISSION
Early Connections supports the success of young children and their families through
leadership, advocacy, and quality programs in early care and education.
Early Connections 200 West 11th Street Erie, PA 16501
DEAR READER,
Early Connections is pleased to present the information in this annual report to the community. We remain committed
to our mission, providing leadership, advocacy, and quality programs in early care and education. We believe this
represents the best means to assist young children and their families, giving young learners the enthusiasm and tools
to succeed in their future education.
We work closely with our community partners to continually increase children’s access to quality early learning, and to
provide an increasingly-diverse community of learners with multiple opportunities and means to explore new
information, skills, and ideas.
In this report, we highlight Early Connections’ work during the 2016-2017 year within our organization and with our
many community partners and supporters. We continue to work for Erie County’s future by inspiring children’s love of
learning and by connecting with families to ensure their children’s success.
Laura Schaaf
President of the Board of Directors
Darlene E. Kovacs
Executive Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2016-2017
Board President
Laura Schaaf
Director of Giving
Barber National Institute
Board Vice President
Michael Plazony
Senior Vice President
Erie Insurance Life Division
Board Secretary
Sarah Howard
Wellspring of Life LLC
Board Treasurer
Lori M. Hetrick
Vice President of Finance
Village at Luther Square
Katie Jones
Community Office Manager
ERIEBANK Harborcreek
Michael Thomas, Esq.
Associate
MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Darlene E. Kovacs
Executive Director
Michelle Harkins
Associate Executive Director
Family Support Program Supervisor
Matthew Turek
Vice President of Finance
Tracy Robison Chandler
Vice President of Professional Development
Kimberly Beers
Vice President of Outreach/Success By 6
Scholarship Director
Holly Platte
Human Resources Coordinator
Abby Perry
Family Support Case Manager
Jayne Deutsch
Administrative Assistant
EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION
DIRECTORS
Nancy Dahlquist
Maggie Heslop
Early Connections, City Center
Kate Beer
Early Connections, Housing Authority
of the City of Erie
Stephanie McIntosh
Early Connections, North East
Stephanie King
Early Connections, West Side
Carlie Eck
Early Connections, Union City
Jacqui Catrabone
Director, Nonprofit and Community Services
Strategy Solutions
Dr. Janet Wojtalik
Former Special Education Teacher
and School Administrator, Author
Early Connections is a 501(c)3
nonprofit organization-contributions
to which are tax deductible to the
fullest extent permitted by law.
Early Connections
Organizational Overview
Early Connections has operated in Erie County for over 100 years, providing outreach and programming to young
children and families. Currently, Early Connections provides quality STAR 4-level programming at six sites, four in
the City of Erie, one in North East, and one in Union City. STARS is a quality rating system used by Pennsylvania to
determine the quality of Early Care and Education sites based on specific standards, with one STAR being entry
level in the system and four STARS being the highest quality. STARS sets requirements for early childhood
programs to promote the best learning environment and safest setting possible.
At Early Connections’ centers, in the care of competent, qualified staff, children experience developmentallyappropriate
learning activities which fulfill the PA Early Learning Standards and provide a variety of opportunities for
a diverse community of learners. We serve approximately 300 children daily in our centers, from infant through
school age. All locations include PreK Counts; two provide inclusive classrooms where children with identified
special needs attend programming with “typically-developing” children while receiving needed supports. All centers
participate in our contract with Erie County to provide full-time programming for children in our Family Support
program.
Young children in Erie County are considered "high risk" for early school failure (OCDEL Reach and Risk Report,
2017). Research has shown that if children receive a high quality early childhood education, they are more likely to
succeed in school, graduate, and enter the skilled workforce. Quality early childhood education provides a positive
long-lasting effect on a child’s educational and economic future, in turn helping improve their community’s economy
and future workforce (http://www.readynation.org).
Early Connections accepts CCIS (subsidy) child care funding for qualified families, and will direct families to the
local resource for subsidy. Currently, EC also provides up to 30 funded preschool slots for children whose families
meet the qualifications through United Way of Erie County funding. United Way has also provided Early
Connections with Bridge Funding, so that children whose families are on childcare subsidy wait lists are not forced
to wait for programming. In addition to early learning and child care, Early Connections administers:
• Erie’s Future Fund, a scholarship program supporting economically-challenged families in enrolling their
children in high-quality early learning throughout Erie County.
• Success By 6, United Way’s initiative to ensure
that children enter kindergarten ready to learn
and succeed in school.
• Supported Play Groups, funded through CIZ
Race To The Top, to assist families in helping
their children develop school and social skills.
• Erie Free Taxes (Rural Outreach Component),
to increase families’ awareness of and access
to no-cost, professional-quality tax preparation.
• Contracts with the Northwest Regional Key, to
provide technical assistance to child care
centers in Erie County and neighboring counties;
professional development for child care
practitioners; and Child Development
Associate programs for CDA credentialing.
We welcome questions regarding our work, and invite you to read our Annual Report in the pages that follow. Early
Connections is truly dedicated to creating lifelong learners through exciting and engaging programs!
Program Highlights 2016-2017
While we have several community initiatives that are vital to the well-being of early care and education
not only at Early Connections but in Erie County and NW PA in particular, our direct service to
children and their families is our highest priority. We honor the trust families have placed in us by
providing the best programs and support services we can deliver.
Early Connections child care centers:
are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and functions under the regulations
mandated by the State of Pennsylvania.
serve approximately 300 children daily in our 6 child care centers
offer Pre-K Counts programming at 5 locations; our North East center will offer PKC in the Fall of 2017
participate in the KEYSTONE STARS program which measures quality in childcare programs. Learn more about
KEYSTONE STARS at www.pakeys.org
participates in the regulated Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). We offer free meals which consist
of breakfast, lunch and snack.
provide warm, nurturing and educational environments for children ages six weeks through twelve years.
focus on developmentally appropriate and enriching curriculum, with an emphasis on achieving the state’s
learning standards for each child.
curriculum is center-based with a hands-on approach to learning, where child, parent, teacher, and
community are actively involved.
serve 25 families a month, 80 adults and children through our in-house food pantry. Although most of our
families qualify for food pantry service, due to multiple issues and often lack of transportation, they are not able to
access them. We would like to know that our Early Connections children, and their families, are not constantly
battling hunger.
"My son has attended the North East location of Early
Connections since 2015. I can not say enough about the
wonderful staff there! The last nine months in particular
have been the best so far. I am very particular about my
childcare, and there is no one I trust more than
Stephanie, Ashley, Alexis, and Christine. I feel that they
truly care, not just about my son, but about all of the
children. I also love how the center has grown this year
from a Star 2 facility to a Star 4, and that they moved into
the elementary center, so that they kids can become
familiar with the 'big school'. That is phenomenal! I am
confident that my son is receiving the best pre-k program
in town!"
~Claire Mellors
Pre-K Counts
Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, increases accessibility to high quality
pre-kindergarten programs for young children, especially those considered to be high-risk. This opportunity is designed for
children who:
• are between age 3 and younger than the entry age for kindergarten;
• live in a family earning up to 300% of poverty; and
• may also have language barriers, a disability or developmental delay, or other issues that make them at risk for failing in
school.
Pre-K Counts outcomes continue to show that children enrolled in the initiative are:
• Making outstanding progress throughout their participation in the program;
• Entering kindergarten with appropriate academic and social skills and ready
to learn;
• Continuing to achieve in school and through second grade.
The most recent data provided by the 2015-2016 Pennsylvania Reach and Risk
Report shows:
• As of 2016 there were 17,115 preschoolers throughout the state enrolled in
Pre- K Counts, or 6% of eligible children.
• Erie County exceeded that percentage – 886 children, or 13.6% of eligible
preschoolers participated in Pre-K Counts during the 2015-16 school year.
During 2016-17, Early Connections
• Provided PKC programming for 167 eligible preschoolers at 5 locations
• Successfully applied for and received over 50 new Pre-K Counts
expansion slots
• Our North East location will begin offering Pre-K Counts programming
in Fall 2017 in their new location at Earle C. Davis Primary School.
"I love the activities you all do with the kids and the learning techniques during the Pre-K Counts Program. I also appreciate the
occasional day the parents are able to come and spend the day and do learning activities with their child. Lastly, the in depth progress
reports shows me how attentive the teacher is to my child and that makes me feel good. Feels like she is already in Kindergarten. Oh,
and the daily board showing what the child has done in school that day is helpful for me as a parents. Thank you all!"
~ Noe'Khea Williams
4 N.I.N.E.
Early Connections would like to extend a special
acknowledgement to 4 N.I.N.E., a North East-based non-profit
which assists the local community through a variety of outreach
programs and opportunities, including a Thrift Store, Child Care
scholarships, GED classes, Food Pantry, Community Center,
and many other beneficial initiatives. 4 N.I.N.E. has been a
much-appreciated supporter and community partner of Early
Connections’ growth in the North East Community in many
essential ways. We particularly acknowledge their financial
support which allowed Early Connections to begin a program
with four children which has now grown to over thirty enrolled!
We encourage you to visit
https://www.facebook.com/4NeighborsInNorthEast/ to learn
more about this remarkable organization.
United Way Success By 6
Success By 6, United Way of Erie County's Early Care and Education initiative, promotes collaborative community
partnerships in order to facilitate Kindergarten Readiness for Erie County children. Professionals from a wide range of
organizations come together through several SB6 committees to focus on the needs of young children and their
families: Maternal Child Health Task Force, Erie County Early Learning Professionals, and Pre-K Counts, as well as in
partnership with the Erie County Local Inter-agency Coordinating Council (LICC). Here are some of the highlights of the
previous year:
• 11th Annual Success By 6 Early Learning Expo: 87 families including 115 children
(91 aged 5 and under), 26 local agency exhibits, hands-on activities, live entertainment,
and educational materials. Each child received a book courtesy of Hooked on Books.
• 8th Annual Pre-K Counts Awareness Day: 700 preschoolers and their teachers from
Pre-K Counts programs throughout Erie County attended, taking part in a variety of
educational activities and games at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center.
• Children’s Behavioral Health Services Guide, produced in partnership with the Local
Inter-agency Coordinating Council (LICC): 100 copies were distributed to parents and
childcare directors working with children experiencing challenges in the home or classroom.
• Children Do Come With Directions booklets: 4400 booklets containing information on
child development, health and safety, and basic information on community resources
available to help support the needs of families with children were distributed to families
throughout Erie County.
• Kindergarten Readiness Outreach: promoted the Erie Together Kindergarten Readiness
Toolkits and Kindergarten Registration Flyers with P-3 Governors Institute/Kindergarten
Readiness Teams, and Kindergarten Registration Events across Erie County.
Keystone STARS Technical ssistance
Through an annual contract with the Northwest Regional Key, Early Connections continues to provide Keystone STARS
Technical Assistance (TA) consulting to early learning and school-age programs in the region. Technical Assistance is
provided to facilities who wish to progress through Keystone STARS tiered quality system to achieve a specific level of
quality. Consultation is provided through multi-faceted one-on-one coaching and mentoring with early educators and
caregivers.
• Consultation occurs around the Keystone STARS content areas of Staff Qualifications and Professional
Development, Leadership and Management, Early Learning and School- Age Programs, Partnerships with
Family and Community.
• During 2016-17, Early Connections’ Technical Assistance consultation provided 637 hours of direct service to 68
facilities.
• The Professional Development (PD)/Technical Assistance (TA) Blended Model created for the Office of Child
Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) in Fiscal Year 15-16 combined prescriptive Professional Development
with the one-on-one support and implementation through traditional STARS Technical Assistance coaching and
mentoring. Early Connections is still offering the practitioners the opportunity to participate in the Blended Model
Technical Assistance project.
Professional Development
• Early Connections strives to support and educate the child care workforce through
professional development opportunities for teachers and staff in 20 counties of
Northwestern Pennsylvania.
• During 2016-17, 36 individuals completed a Child Development Associate (CDA)
credential course offered by Early Connections. Upon completion of 120 hours of
coursework and CDA certification from the National Council for Professional
Recognition, Gannon University will articulate Early Connections CDA coursework
into college credits for participants who desire to continue in the Early Childhood
Associate Degree program. The CDA program continues to be an excellent
opportunity for Early Childhood professionals.
WHAT IS KEYSTONE STARS ?
Keystone STARS is a continuous quality
improvement program. It has four STAR
levels. Each STAR designation has its
own research-based performance
standards. These standards measure four
areas that make a difference in the quality
of care your child receives:
1. The educated and welltrained
staff
2. The environment your child is
in everyday
3. Leadership and Management
4. Family and Community
Partnerships
As a program moves from STAR 1 to
STAR 4, the requirements in these areas
increase.
Erie's Future Fund
Erie’s Future Fund, administered by Early Connections, is a scholarship program supporting economically-challenged
families in enrolling their children in high quality early learning throughout Erie County. Erie’s Future Fund (EFF) was
created in 2011, an outgrowth of the Erie Community Foundation’s Early Childhood Advisory Panel in partnership with
United Way of Erie County, Success By 6, members of the Early Learning Investment Commission (ELIC), and Erie
Together. Community leaders from corporate, nonprofit and civic sectors sought to address growing concerns about the
lack of school readiness among many children from low-income families entering kindergarten, and the significant impact
this was having now and in the future, on Erie County’s economy and quality of life.
• The 2016-2017 school year began Erie’s Future Fund’s fifth scholarship year.
• Scholarships are funded from within Erie County through individual
donations, Pre-K Earned Income Tax Credits, and cause-related marketing.
• EFF Provided 150 scholarship opportunities for qualified children from
low- income families to attend a high-quality early childhood education
program
• Over 40 high-quality early care and education program locations in Erie
County accept the EFF scholarship.
• Qualified families receive educational resources and support during the
application process.
• The summer of 2017 marked the 2nd year that Erie’s Future Fund was
able to offer summer scholarships.
• 50 children were provided the opportunity to attend high-quality early
childhood education programming for three half-days a week for up to 11
weeks during the summertime.
• In order to meet the diverse needs of scholar families, Erie’s Future Fund now allows two scholarship options of either
three or five-half days a week during the school year. An open enrollment deadline allows for families relocating to Erie
County, those experiencing job loss, or life change to access the program beyond the start of the school year.
• Data gathered from the 2016-2017 scholarship year revealed that by the end of the school year, an average of 99% of our
3 year-old scholars were in process or proficient in the Key Learning Areas, and an average of 98% of our 4 year-old
scholars were in process or proficient in the five Key Learning Areas.
Learn more about Erie's Future
Fund at www.eriesfuturefund.org
United Way Erie Free Taxes
United Way Erie FREE Taxes is a program established to assist eligible low to moderate income wage earners claim the
federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a cash refund, by providing them with free tax preparation and filing services at
volunteer tax sites. The EITC is a special federal tax benefit for working people who earn low to moderate incomes. It is a
refundable credit that reduces or eliminates income taxes they owe and is the most effective poverty reduction program in
the country.
The Volunteers Income Tax Assistance program (VITA)
works to ensure that eligible tax filers receive all their tax
credits and deductions, including the Child Tax Credit,
Education Tax Credit and Child Care tax deductions.
FREE tax prep services are provided by IRS-certified
volunteers at numerous tax site locations in the
community.
Visit https://www.unitedwayerie.org/ErieFreeTaxes to
learn more about Erie Free Taxes.
Erie FREE Taxes VITA patron statistics for the
2016 tax filing season indicated that:
Federal VITA Returns: 6,030
EITC Claims (incl in above total): 2,136
1,160 of the VITA patrons live in rural communities
227 patrons had a disability
Total Tax dollars returned: $10,130,000
Tax Filer Savings (est.): $1.63M
Early Connections and EUMA
A family’s stress associated with the need for food and permanent shelter often leaves children lacking access to consistent,
quality early childhood education, and can hinder the child’s success in kindergarten and school. To help address this
need Early Connections began collaborating with the Erie United Methodist Alliance (EUMA) to help homeless or transient
families provide their children with access to quality early care and education in early 2016. EUMA has existed within our
community for 130 years, providing services and shelters to help end homelessness to veterans, youth, children and
families, as well as addressing the root causes of poverty.
Early Connections streamlined the application and enrollment process for infants and children from EUMA families that are
faced with homelessness in our community. Early Connections staff look at appropriate financial tuition supports to help
assist the family enroll their children at any of our six locations. While attending, the children are provided with nutritious
snacks and meals, along with quality early care and education. Our staff will also help with kindergarten enrollment, if
needed, providing an easier transition into kindergarten. Early Connections is thankful for all of the work that EUMA
provides to our community, and hopes to continue collaborating to help children from homeless and transient families.
Community Innovation Zone
Early Connections administers the Community Innovation Zone (CIZ) grant with United Way of Erie County as the lead
agency. The CIZ grant is federally funded through our state by the Race To The Top Early Learning Challenge Program.
Funding provides Supported Play Groups (SPGs) in one urban and one rural location. Working with a facilitator, families
and caregivers are provided with resources and referrals, have the opportunity to network, and learn to be their child’s first
teacher using developmentally appropriate activities. This promotes readiness for success in school, and provides families
with a better understanding of school procedures and expectations. Many participating families may have economic or
cultural challenges, and the support of the facilitator and other families are of benefit to everyone involved.
• Partners include the Iroquois School District, the
International Institute, YMCA of Greater Erie, and the
Union City Family Support Center.
• During 2016-17, 78 parents and children have
participated in Supported Play Groups (SPGs). SPGs
reached low-income and refugee families, providing
educational resources and referrals to all, and a safe
environment for refugee families to bond and become
acclimated to their community.
• In the summer of 2017, the Union City Family Support
Center provided a family trip to the Children’s Museum in
Pittsburgh for 66 parents and children, encouraging
participation by those families that would most benefit from
ongoing participation in our CIZ Supported Play Groups, in
hopes of significantly expanding our CIZ group reach both in
the rural and urban program.
Family Support
Through a contract with Erie County Department of Human Services (DHS),
Early Connections has been provided with funding to enroll up to twenty
children, infant through school-age, on a full-time basis. These children might
otherwise not have an opportunity to participate in quality early learning, or
experience the engaging activities provided in before and after school care.
The program
Has a strong focus on engaging families in their children’s learning
Provides activities for the entire family
30 children were enrolled over the course of the 2016-17 fiscal year.
Early Connections hopes to obtain funding to enroll additional children in the coming year,
providing a safe environment to help them prepare for success in school and life.
Contributors
Early Connections is thankful for the generosity of our partners…...
The following partners contributed to Early Connections:
4 N.I.N.E.
Atty and Mrs. Michael Thomas
Bruce & Bonnie Kern
Cascade Park Club
Darlene Kovacs
Dr. Janet Rose Wojtalik
East Erie Moose Lodge #593
Erie Community Foundation
Erie Community Foundation – Erie Gives
Fulton Athletic Club
George and Kristy Klapsinos
Idaeluca Chiropractic Center
J.J.H.T. Inc.
Jacqui Catrabone
Jay and Ruth Alberstadt
Jennifer Kubiak
JoAnn DeSantis-Barnes
John W. Alberstadt
Katie Jones
Kimberly Arvickson
Kirk Kneidinger/Hagan Business Machines
Kiwanis Club of Erie
Knights of St. John
La Nova Aurora Club
Laura R. Schaaf
Lori Hetrick
Loyal Order of the Moose
Maternal, Infant & Early Childhood Home
Visiting Program - Erie County
Michael and Michele Plazony
Michelle M. Harkins
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Erie
Ruth Ann Scanzillo
Slovak National Club
Society of Holy Trinity Group #240
St. John Building Association
Sunflower Club
Vicary Insurance Agency
Wesleyville Home Association
The following partners generously contributed to Vinyl Palooza 3.0. Proceeds from the event benefited Early Connections.
Dr. Paul and Darlene Kovacs
Erie Insurance - Erie Family Life Division
ERIEBANK
J.J.H.T. Inc.
James Rodenbaugh
Joseph and Brenda Comstock
Katie Jones
Kelle Heidt
Laura Schaaf
Lori Hetrick
Lorianne Feltz
Louis Colizzo
The Plazony Family
Retirement Services of Erie LLC
Ron and Sharon Bayhurst
Sean and Kim Beers
Society of Holy Trinity Group #240
State Representative Flo and Vicki Fabrizio
State Representative Pat and Michelle Harkins
Sunflower Club
Waterford Pizza & More
Early Connections Staff
Stan Zlotkowski lll
Early Connections would like to thank all of those who provided in-kind donations in support of Early Connections
and Vinyl Palooza 3.0 throughout the year.
4 N.I.N.E.
AJ Milanak
All That Glitters
Allburn Florist
AseraCare Hospice
Bella Salon and Day Spa
Brown Fitness Center
Campbell Pottery Store
Dick's Sporting Goods
Early Connections Staff
Erie Beer Company
Erie Brewing Company
Erie Experience Vinyl
Fitness U
Glenwood Beer Distributors, Inc
Heritage Wine Cellars
Holly Platte
Hooked on Books
House of 1000 Beers
Illustrated Time Photography
Jessen Media
Kiwanis Club of Erie
Lavery Brewery Company
Lucky Louie's Beer and Weiners
McCoy's Barrelhouse & Grille
Michael and Michele Plazony
MnM Treasures
Penn Beer Company
Pepperidge Farms
Potratz Floral Shop
Quincy Cellars
Richard Gawlinski
Snap Fitness
Stan Zlotkowski lll
The Brewerie at Union Station
Tracy Robison Chandler
Voodoo Brewery
Z3 Concepts
The following partners contributed to Erie's Future Fund through Pre-K EITC and Individual Donations
American Tinning & Galvanizing
Barber National Institute
Betsy and Dennis Bort
Erie Community Foundation – Erie Gives
Erie Insurance
JAM PHD Inc
Jennifer Kubiak
Julie Slomski
Keystone Research Corp.
Klein Plating Works
Lilly Broadcasting of PA LLC
Math-U-See dba Demme Learning
Michelle M. Harkins
Northwest Savings Bank
Scott's Development Company
Scott's M 6A Joint Venture, Inc.
South Hills Child Development Center
UPMC Health Plan
We have made every effort to list all grants, contributions and gifts received during the period July 1, 2016 through June
30, 2017. We apologize for any errors or omissions and ask you to contact Early Connections Administrative Offices at
814-874-0144 with corrections.
Fiscal Report 2016-2017
Early Connections is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
-contributions to which are tax deductible to the
fullest extent permitted by law. The official
registration and financial information of Early
Connections may be obtained from the Pennsylvania
Department of State by calling toll-free, within
Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not
imply endorsement.
Accredited Under the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ Standards for Excellence®
Early Connections is proud to be able to display this Seal of Excellence awarded by the
Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations. Early Connections is the first nonprofit
organization in this region to be awarded accreditation under the Standards for Excellence®
program, which is bestowed only to the most well-managed and responsibly governed nonprofit
organizations that have demonstrated continued compliance with 56 specific Standards for
Excellence® based on honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, trust, responsibility, and accountability.
Early Connections has met, complied with, and integrated the Standards for Excellence® into all its
activities to successfully complete this voluntary accreditation program.
City Center
704 State Street
Erie, PA 16501
(814) 456-4576
Harbor Homes
1841 East 18th Street
Erie, PA 16510
(814) 899-3310
North East
50 E Division Street
North East, PA 16428
(814) 315-2915
West Side
420 West 6th Street
Erie, PA 16507
(814) 456-5346
.
John E Horan
Garden Apartments
730 Tacoma Road
Erie, PA 16511
(814) 454-9713
www.earlyconnectionserie.org
www.facebook.com/earlyconnectionsinc
Union City
16380 Route 8
Union City, PA 16438
(814) 438-7016
.
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