Early Learning Advisory Committee Visits Porter County

By: Hadassah Moore | Project Coordinator, First Things First Porter County

The Indiana Early Learning Advisory Committee (ELAC), chaired by Sam Snideman (Vice President of Government Relations, United Way of Central Indiana) chose Porter County as the host site for their June 2026 meeting, not only allowing space for our community to speak up to State-level representatives but also inviting First Things First Porter County to directly highlight our work. On behalf of FTF, Mary Jane Eisenhauer provided remarks to local community and ELAC members.

Mary Jane centered her presentation around the question: What is the most important resource that families raising zero- to three-year-olds need? Savings accounts, nutrition access, literacy resources, quality childcare are good, but FTF knows that the most important is an ecosystem of combined resources. As our county’s backbone entity, FTF creates the culture of care that allows Porter County families to thrive. This deep well of resources has led to nearly one in every two Porter County babies receiving a piece of the network they need to thrive.

The work of First Things First provides a model for other counties around Indiana. As Mary Jane noted, “Our landscapes may be different (urban, rural, suburban, big city vs. midsized or small town), but the needs everywhere are the same and opportunities abound to wrap babies in a blanket of early care support.”

In addition to the FTF presentation, the June meeting included Public Comments from the community, updates from Head Start Collaboration Grant, OECOSL, Rule Making, and Financial Review.

The ELAC was established in 2013 by the Indiana General Assembly and membership is appointed by the governor, leaders in the general assembly and includes representation from the FSSA Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, the Indiana Department of Education Office of Kindergarten Readiness, and the Indiana Head Start State Collaboration Office. One such committee member is Mark Chamberlain, FTF board member. The commitment from First Things First and our broader community to support families truly makes Porter County the best place to be a baby.