News + Events

Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women Hosts Virtual Discussion on Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Workforce by Tackling the Commonwealth’s Child Care Crisis

Yesterday, the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women hosted a virtual discussion between business and government leaders and child care advocates about Pennsylvania’s child care crisis, which has forced many parents to leave the workforce due to the lack of access to affordable, quality child care.

Community Connections for Children (CCC) and York County Economic Alliance (YCEA), as part of their ECHO Initiative, Unveil Data-Driven Strategies to Strengthen Early Childhood Education in York County

Community Connections for Children and the York County Economic Alliance, in partnership with Reinvestment Fund, have released a comprehensive early childhood education (ECE) gap analysis outlining significant challenges and opportunities for York County’s youngest learners.

Early Education Budget Investments Make Progress on Teacher Shortage Crisis

Today, the principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five, applauded the 2025-26 state budget’s focus on children and early education workforce investments, vital commitments finalized after prolonged negotiations.

Budget gridlock strains childcare programs

Childcare providers were already struggling to keep up with the demand for their services. Then came the deadlock over the state budget, which has lasted nearly three months.

Outdoor Learning Support for ECHO Grant Applicants

Elizabeth Marcello, STARS Technical Assistance Coach, and Susan Chlebowski, Outdoor Learning & Play Consultant, (both with Community Connections for Children) are available to guide you through the ECHO Innovation grant process. Together, they bring expertise in outdoor learning environments and nature-based early learning pedagogy and practices to help strengthen your application and set your project up for success.

Over $950K in Early Childhood Education Grants Announced in York County

Community Connections for Children (CCC), York County Economic Alliance (YCEA), and Every Child Has Opportunities (ECHO), announce over $950,000 in grant awards to early childhood education providers in York County, PA.

iCare Youniversity to offer second and third shift childcare hours

iCare Youniversity in downtown York is addressing the community's need for childcare during second and third shift hours.

iCare Youniversity in York City to offer overnight child care

Starting in September, iCare Youniversity in York City will offer an option that has been largely missing in the county — licensed child care for second and third shifts. The center, 105 Ridge Ave., which opened for daytime care in May, will run extended hours from 10 p.m. Sunday through 6 p.m. Friday.

Early Childhood Educator Designated as High Priority Occupation in South Central Pennsylvania: Celebrating a Workforce Win

Community Connections for Children (CCC) and York County Economic Alliance (YCEA), the leading organizations of Every Child Has Opportunities (ECHO), are proud to announce that Early Childhood Educator has officially been recognized as a High Priority Occupation (HPO) in the South Central Pennsylvania Region.

ECHO Website Project Wins 2025 PEAK Achievement Award

We’re thrilled to share that our website, echoyork.org, was recognized with the Best Website award at the 2025 PEAK Achievement Awards, hosted by the York Builders Association!

Missed Our Forum?

The recent forum, An Impact With an ECHO: An Early Childhood Education Forum, brought together passionate educators, policymakers, and advocates to discuss the critical issues and innovative ideas surrounding early childhood education (ECE).

Private funding has created 100s of new child care spots in this Pa. county

With funding from foundations, a health system, and the local United Way, ECHO aims to double the number of children from low-income families in York County who are enrolled in high-quality early childhood education by 2027.

2024 Annual Report: Director’s Insights

As I reflect on Every Child Has Opportunities’ (ECHO) first year, I am filled with gratitude for all we have accomplished together. In this inaugural year, we laid the groundwork for something truly special.

Case Study: York County Expands ECE Grants to Create ECHO

ECHO (Every Child Has Opportunities) launched two new grant opportunities, Innovation and BLOOM funds, each targeting a specific underserved audience. ECHO Innovation Grants support innovation, focusing on increased capacity and quality for DHS certified family, group and center providers, Early Head Start/Head Start, and Pre-K Counts grantees. The grant dollars range from $25,000 - $50,000.

York County receives nearly $900,000 in ECHO grants for children’s schools

What can almost $1 million in early childhood funding do for kids in a Midstate county? Folks in York County are about to find out.

Over $890K in Early Childhood Education Grants Announced in York County

Community Connections for Children (CCC), York County Economic Alliance (YCEA), and ECHO (Every Child Has Opportunities) announce over $890,000 in grant awards to early childhood education providers in York County, PA.

PA officials warm up to boosting entrepreneurship

Red-tape reduction and small-business incubators are among the state and local strategies aimed at improving the commonwealth’s historically low entrepreneurship rate.

Early Childhood Education Spotlight Breakfast

Community Connections for Children (CCC), York County Economic Alliance (YCEA), and ECHO (Every Child Has Opportunities) were pleased to host the Early Childhood Education Spotlight Breakfast and provider tour on Tuesday, November 19.

Early Childhood Education groups in York join forces to address educator crisis

The York County Economic Alliance and Community Connections for Children (ECHO) hosted an education spotlight breakfast to address the need for educators.

Childcare providers seeing impact of York County grant program

Shelly Russell, a childcare provider for nearly three decades, has been reading up recently on the benefits of outdoor play. Now, thanks to an innovative grant program for childcare providers in York County, Russell has funding to put words into action.

NOW OPEN: Additional Funding Opportunities for Early Childhood Education Providers

The ECHO Initiative (Every Child Has Opportunities), Community Connections for Children (CCC), and the York County Economic Alliance (YCEA) announce two funding opportunities for early childhood education providers. Both grants opened October 1 and will close October 25 at 5:00 pm.

Amid Childcare Shortage, Hanover Nonprofit Plans to Boost Capacity with New Building

Amid widespread concerns about a shortage of childcare for working parents in Pennsylvania, the Hanover YWCA is aiming to expand its capacity and shrink its waiting list for spaces.

York County Economic Alliance announce nearly a million in grant money for early childhood education

“We really want the community to value early learning,” Katie Caples, ECHO Director for Community Connections For Children, said. “The first five or six years of a child’s life is so important to their development and overall human lifespan.”

Livestream of ECHO Press Conference Announcing Almost $1M in Grants

Today we joined YWCA Hanover and Community Connections for Children to announce $950,000 awarded through two grant opportunities.

Over $950,000 in Early Childhood Education Grants Announced in York County, PA

The ECHO (Every Child Has Opportunities) Initiative was launched in early 2024 and exists to increase access to high quality, affordable childcare throughout York County. ECHO is proud to announce almost $1 million in grant awards to early childhood education providers in York County, PA.

New Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program Announced in York County, PA

Community Connections for Children (CCC), York County Economic Alliance (YCEA), and ECHO (Every Child Has Opportunities) announce a new early childhood apprenticeship program in York County, PA. The application window opens today, July 16, and will close August 2 at 5:00 pm. Participants will be notified in early August.

ECHO funding enables CPC to expand teacher aide program, mentorship

As a community action agency, Community Progress Council serves low- and moderate-income families through a number of integrated programs. With partners like ECHO and others dedicated to addressing challenges in the early learning field, we are positively impacting the current and future economy of York County.

ECHO: Transforming Education Through Innovation and Collaboration

Q&A with Katie Caples, Director of ECHO - To get a deeper dive into the creation of ECHO and the goals for addressing barriers faced, we spoke with ECHO Director, Katie Caples.

Two Grants for Early Childhood Education Providers

The York County Economic Alliance (YCEA) and ECHO (Every Child Has Opportunities) announce two new grant opportunities for early childhood education providers. Both grants open today, May 1, and will close May 23 at 5pm. Awardees will be notified in July.

New Funds Aim to Chip Away at Childcare Shortage

Framing the challenge of finding childcare as a critical issue for employers, York-area business and nonprofit leaders yesterday unveiled a new program designed to encourage fresh thinking on the years-old problem.

Governor Shapiro Visits York to Highlight Expanded Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and Celebrate new Early Childhood Education Initiative, Every Child Has Opportunities (ECHO)

Governor Josh Shapiro joined legislative leaders, York County Economic Alliance, and Community Connections for Children at YWCA York to highlight the recent expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit impacting over 7,000 families here in York County, and over 210,000 families across Pennsylvania.