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.
Please note: Meeting with Elizabeth and Susan is free and is a requirement for all applicants who plan to include an outdoor learning component in their grant proposal.
They can help with:
- Shaping your outdoor learning and play material purchase ideas
- Reviewing photos of your current outdoor space and offering tailored ideas for improvements
- Developing a clear and realistic budget
- Identifying key factors that will support long-term sustainability
- Strengthening connections between your project goals and child outcomes
Before meeting with Elizabeth and Susan, please ensure you’ve:
- Step 1: Read through the Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE) Resource Guide | Guía de Recursos para Entornos de Aprendizaje al Aire Libre
- Step 2: Watched the 1-hour OLE webinar
- Step 3: Completed the brief survey to give us a better idea of your project goals
- Acknowledged that receiving the grant and fulfilling this project requires a project manager, someone who is willing to commit 5-10 hours of work on this project above regular work requirements
- Reviewed the ECHO Innovation grant application requirements
- Considered your program’s priorities and goals for outdoor learning
- Gathered any preliminary ideas for materials, space improvements, or professional development
- Identified potential challenges or questions on which you’d like guidance
To schedule your meeting with Elizabeth and Susan, click here.
With their combined experience, Elizabeth and Susan are here to support your vision, answer your questions, and help your proposal reflect both creativity and feasibility.
