Early Connections is a leading organization in northwestern Pennsylvania for early care and education. The agency provides direct service as well as training and planning leadership for a wide geographic region. Since 1895 Early Connections (formerly known as the YWCA) has served children and families in Erie County. Presently direct service is provided at three inner city sites in the City of Erie, one rural site in Union City, and one rural site in North East. In the direct service programs at two sites children with special needs attend preschool in inclusive classrooms. Direct service includes early care and education, child care and services to families. Early Connections voluntarily participates in Keystone STARS, an initiative to support the continuous quality improvement efforts of early learning programs in Pennsylvania. EC sites are recognized as providing high quality care and education. In 2007 Early Connections began providing Pre-K Counts education programs at three inner city sites in partnership with the Erie School District and at the Union City site in partnership with the Union City Area School District. In 2010 Early Connections was awarded a contract for the pilot Keystone Babies program. This high quality initiative focused on our youngest children, and continued until it was de-funded in 2011.
We invite you to please read on about our Mission and Values of the Organization.