Early Childhood Education Forum Planned for York
Innovation and Impact in Early Childhood Education,
An Economics Club Series Event, 7:30 a.m.
Panelists will discuss the importance of investing in early childcare education and the challenges within the childcare landscape, ranging from accessibility to affordability, to quality of care. This discussion will also cover how these challenges impact broader labor issues for employers, such as workforce participation, general equality and economic productivity. Panelists will highlight the new Every Child Has Opportunity (ECHO) initiative, launched to create strategic programs to expand access to quality, affordable childcare and enhance opportunities for early childcare educators. Thank you Glatfelter Insurance Group, the presenting sponsor of the Economics Club series.
Panelists include:
- Dave Meckley – Board of Directors, Warehime Foundation: For most of Dave’s professional career, he was a major shareholder, president and CEO of Flinchbaugh Engineering, Inc. In 2000, the company became an employee owned, ESOP company. Dave transitioned out of the day-to-day management of the company and continued to serve as a director and chairman of the board. In 2001, Dave founded Strategic Advantage, Inc., a consulting company that works with privately held firms. In a variety of assignments, Dave has served as an interim president/CEO for corporations, non-profits and he currently serves on multiple business boards; Dave is very active in the York community having held two elected offices, serving on over twenty non-profit boards, and has been board chair of six non-profit boards. The Warehime Foundation has invested in the ECHO initiative to bring it to fruition.
- Cindy Fruitrail – Sr. VP & Chief of Staff, WellSpan Health: Cindy serves as a member of the ECHO Funders Advisory Board, and, as a key member of the WellSpan Health senior executive team, Cindy works closely with WellSpan President and CEO Roxanna Gapstur in leading and executing internal and external strategic initiatives and partnerships and creating line of sight between the work of governance and the organization. Cindy also provides executive leadership to the Communications, Community Relations, Government Relations, Grants and Marketing functions across the health system. Cindy has more than 25 years of experience in large, integrated health systems. Throughout her career, Cindy has been active and supportive of a wide variety of health-related organizations, such as the American Heart Association, Girls on the Run, and March of Dimes. Cindy currently serves on the boards of YMCA of the Roses serving Lancaster and York counties, York County Community Foundation, and Byrnes Health Education.
- Natalee Colón Gunderson – President & CEO, York County Community Foundation: Natalee joined YCCF as President & CEO on March 1, 2024, after twelve years with the York Water Company where she last served as Vice President of Human Resources. She has served on the board of The United Way of York County, Logos Academy, The Appell Center for the Performing Arts, The York College Board of Trustees, and The PA Council on the Arts, and on several local committees.
Secondly, the first of its kind in York County, will be offered at no-cost:
An Impact with an ECHO: An Early Childhood Education Forum, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The agenda includes:
- 9 – 10 a.m.: Resources for Early Childhood Education: Learn about two new grant opportunities for early childhood education providers in York County, Pennsylvania: Innovation Grants and Home-based Provider Grants. Along with additional resources that support the early childhood education industry. Build your network and ask questions in this casual, workshop style session.
- 10:15 – 11:15 a.m.: Option A: Roundtable for Early Childhood Education: Network with early childhood educators, business owners, directors, and community partners in an intimate and informal small group setting. Or Option B: Take a Deep Dive on ECHO’s New Grant Opportunities: Read through the application, ask questions, and brainstorm your ideas for Innovation Grants or Home-based Provider Grants in a private, small group setting.
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Keynote Luncheon: Cultivating Resilience: A conversation on whole being capacity, Shawn Fink will lead us through an interactive, uplifting, collaborative experience to build energy and resilience for the season ahead. Shawn is a courage and leadership coach, business strategist and keynote speaker with a focus on the intersection of courage, confidence, and resilience. She is also trained in mindfulness, positive psychology, and Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead™ toolbox.
Details & Registration for the forum can be found here.
Every Child Has Opportunities (ECHO) is an early childhood education initiative in York County, Pennsylvania, led by Community Connections for Children and York County Economic Alliance. It’s a catalyst for innovation and collaboration and provides a blueprint for addressing the issues that limit opportunities for children, families, early childhood educators, and business owners. Together, we will move closer to achieving our goal of every child having access to high quality early childhood education.
For more information about Every Child Has Opportunities, visit cccforpa.org.
