By strengthening Porter County’s zero to three ecosystem, we aim to serve all of the 7,000 Porter County children under age 4 with the full range of support for success, creating a model for what is possible when we invest from the start. Key initiatives include:
Birth to School Alliance
The Porter County Birth to School (B2S) Alliance is a county-wide partnership that promotes and nurtures early development, family engagement, and continuity from birth to entry into the formal school system. Through coordinated Action Teams, shared learning, and district-level Implementation Grants, the B2S Alliance balances county-wide alignment with local flexibility. Together, participating districts and partners are strengthening the prenatal–age 3 ecosystem so that more Porter County children have equitable access to high-quality early experiences and a strong start in school.
Strosacker Early Learning Fellowship
The Strosacker Early Learning Fellowship (SELF) is a four-part series of presentations from national experts, local business leaders, regional legislators, and more about their involvement with early learning. Fellows engage in discussions, small group work and brainstorm ways to apply the ideas across Northwest Indiana. At the end, Fellows commit to an action plan. Topics include brain development, high quality early learning and economic development and the connection to workforce development. Since 2019, over 75 community leaders have committed to action plans.
The Family Forward NWI Employer Lab brings together a small group of local employers to help shape practical, family-supportive workplace strategies. Through expert facilitation, shared learning, and practical tools, this series supports employers in aligning business goals with the needs of working families, infants, and young children across the region. Lab members share real-world experience, test ideas, and provide input that will inform the Family Forward NWI WORKBook. The Lab is collaborative, time-limited, and focused on solutions that work in today’s workplaces.
Employer Lab
In addition, we endorse these initiatives: