About the Early Childhood Alliance Onondaga
The Early Childhood Alliance (ECA) was launched in 2015 at the recommendation of the Onondaga Citizens League (OCL), following the release of their 2013-14 study entitled, Early Childhood and School Readiness, Creating a Community Where All Children Thrive by Five.
One of the biggest challenges revealed by the study was the lack of a strategic, systemic approach to early childhood issues. While the study found many helpful services operating in the area, it also revealed that a lack of coordination and collaborative goalsetting limited the potential impact on young children and families. The primary reason for formalizing the ECA was to bring community leaders, early childhood stakeholders, and families together to build a cohesive system of supports.
The ECA is comprised of stakeholders from all levels of the early childhood system and is representative of the key areas of early childhood development – health, early learning, and family supports.
We have several committees that help shape the strategic planning process and implementation of the strategic plan (see organizational chart below). Membership of the committees includes ECA members as well as other interested stakeholders from the community. All are welcome to be part of the committees. To get involved, contact Emily Dillon at edillon@ecaonondaga.org.
Our Priorities
The ECA is committed to advocating for and achieving equity, ensuring that all children in Onondaga County are born healthy and reach their full potential. Our priorities include:
• Promoting optimal development for all children.
• Advancing high quality early literacy environments for all children.
• Improving quality across all child care providers.
• Advancing reproductive wellbeing for all women.
• Increasing family and community engagement in early childhood
system building.
• Enhancing the quality of supports for the early childhood workforce.
• Influencing the early childhood system to advance improved outcomes
for children and families.
