Our Work

Strong systems grow from strong relationships. We partner with organizations like yours to support leadership, sustain growth, and strengthen the early childhood workforce. Our customized services are designed to support organizations at every stage - from vision setting and sustainability planning to workforce well-being and leadership development.

Browse our full menu of services to see how we can partner with you to create lasting impact. Connecting people, ideas, and possibilities - let’s build something great together!

Organizational Planning

With a focus on collaboration and sustainability, we help organizations turn vision into action - building stronger systems for young children, families, and the workforce that serves them. The Early Connections Collective collaborates with partners to develop clear roadmaps, engage key stakeholders, and align funding strategies to support long-term success. Our approach integrates data-driven insights, cross-sector collaboration, and actionable strategies to strengthen early childhood systems and services.

How we can help:

Roadmap Development. Co-created strategic visioning with clear priorities, goals, and timelines.
Roadmap Road Show. Statewide engagement sessions to share priorities, gather input, and build momentum.
Social Network Analysis. Mapping key relationships and partnerships to boost collaboration.
Funding Analysis. Identifying sustainable funding sources and opportunities for policy alignment.

Nonprofit Growth & Development

Building and sustaining a mission-driven nonprofit takes vision, strategy, and strong governance. From foundational structure to long-term visioning, we help nonprofit leaders create strong, sustainable organizations that drive lasting change for children, families, and communities.

Whether launching a new organization, strengthening board leadership, or creating a long-term sustainability plan, the Early Connections Collective provides expert guidance to help early childhood nonprofits grow with purpose and impact. Our team supports leaders in navigating the complexities of nonprofit management, ensuring they have the structure, policies, and strategic direction needed to thrive.

How we can help:

Early Childhood Nonprofit Leaders Academy. Cohort-based learning for emerging and experienced nonprofit leaders.
Fiscal Agency Identification & Nonprofit Formation. Guidance on fiscal sponsorship and 501(c)(3) startup.
Board of Directors Formation & Strategic Planning. Support in recruiting, structuring, and strengthening board leadership.
Policies, Procedures & Bylaws. Development of governance frameworks for compliance and sustainability.
Sustainability & Strategic Vision Setting. Multi-year planning to align growth, funding, and impact.
Advisory Council & Workgroup Support. Development of stakeholder engagement structures to guide organizational efforts.
Reflective Mentorship for Board Leaders. Ongoing guidance to help board members navigate challenges and lead effectively.

Leadership Support

Strong leadership is the foundation of effective early childhood systems. With a focus on relationship-driven leadership, we help organizations attract, support, and retain the leaders and networks that drive meaningful change for young children, families, and the early childhood workforce. Whether guiding an organization through growth, shaping a sustainable membership structure, or supporting new leaders as they transition into key roles, the Early Connections Collective provides tailored support to help executives and program staff lead with confidence, clarity, and impact. Our team brings deep experience in early childhood systems, offering both strategic guidance and hands-on support to strengthen leadership, membership engagement, and organizational sustainability.

How we can help:

Executive & Program Staff Recruitment and Onboarding. Structured guidance for hiring, role alignment, and transition planning.
Reflective Mentorship. Ongoing leadership support tailored to the unique challenges of early childhood executives and program staff.
Membership Structure Development. Frameworks, benefits, and renewal processes to foster engagement and sustainability.
Membership Messaging & Engagement. Branding, marketing, and strategic outreach to grow and retain members.

Program Support

Strong early childhood programs are built with intention, leadership, and a commitment to continuous improvement. From leadership training to workforce development, we help early childhood organizations strengthen their programs, support their teams, and sustain their impact for years to come. Whether integrating Reflective Leadership practices, creating trauma-informed workplaces, or developing workforce retention strategies, we provide hands-on support to help organizations embed best practices and sustain high-quality programs.

How we can help:

Introduction to Reflective Leadership & Workshops. Training to help leaders develop a culture of intentional decision-making and relational leadership.
Reflective Leadership Training & Technical Assistance. Ongoing support to embed leadership strategies into daily practice.
Global Assessment & Integration. A guided process to align program goals with measurable outcomes.
Trauma-Informed Workplace Development. System-wide strategies to create a safe, supportive, and resilient workforce.
Building Sustainable & Scalable Early Childhood Programs.
Customized planning to ensure program growth and long-term impact.
Workforce Development & Staff Retention Strategies. Practical solutions to support, engage, and retain early childhood professionals.

Workforce Well-Being & Support

A thriving early childhood workforce is the backbone of strong systems and quality services for children and families. By investing in workforce well-being, we help organizations retain talent, enhance professional capacity, and build a sustainable pipeline of leaders who will shape the future of early childhood systems.

The Early Connections Collective is committed to nurturing, equipping, and sustaining the professionals who make this work possible. Through professional development, leadership coaching, reflective practice, and access to ongoing resources, we help build a workforce that is supported, connected, and empowered to lead with confidence.

How we can help:

Annual Conference & Learning Series. Opportunities for networking, professional growth, and shared learning across sectors.
Workforce Mapping & Community Engagement. Identifying key workforce needs and strengthening sector connections.
IECMH Certificate Program & Consultation Warmline. Expanding workforce expertise and increasing access to consultation supports.
Reflective Supervision & Leadership Development. Strengthening resilience, decision-making, and sector leadership.
Interactive Tools & Online Resource Library. Providing on-demand access to best practice guidance, training, and sector-specific resources.

Past Projects + Collaborations

Real impact happens when people, ideas, and possibilities come together. We’ve partnered with organizations to create meaningful change in early childhood spaces. Our past work includes statewide roadmaps, nonprofit capacity-building, innovative workforce initiatives, and leadership development programs - all designed to strengthen systems and support the professionals who make them thrive. Explore our portfolio to see how we turn vision into action!