Newest Strosacker Fellows Commit to Improving First 1,000 Days Across the Region

By: Hadassah Moore | Project Coordinator, First Things First Porter County

This month, we wrapped up our sixth annual cohort of the Strosacker Early Learning Fellowship (SELF). Sixteen community and business leaders across a variety of industries and roles met over four sessions to become better advocates in promoting high quality early childhood experiences.

Fellows learned from nationally-recognized subject matter experts and SELF alumni about the brain science of early learning, implications for workforce development and economic impact, and solutions for early childhood education. The Fellows’ final assignment is to create an Action Plan that will guide their new-found advocacy work. Allen Grecula’s (Executive Director, Three20 Recovery Community Center) final remarks showcase how “unlikely suspects” become accomplices in the mission of ensuring healthy beginnings for every baby in The Region:

“At Three20 Recovery Community Center, we’re launching the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies campaign to address the unique challenges faced by pregnant women and mothers dealing with substance use and mental health issues. By focusing on maternal health, we ensure healthier outcomes for their babies, especially during the crucial first 1,000 days of development—a critical period for shaping lifelong well-being.

This initiative involves our Peer Recovery Coaches, partnerships with organizations like Franciscan Health’s Prenatal Program, Gabriel’s Horn, and Co-Action, along with other community stakeholders. Together, we aim to reduce stigma, remove barriers to care, and provide holistic recovery support tailored to the needs of mothers.

Our goals include supporting at least 50 mothers annually, building strong community partnerships, and fostering healthier family environments. We are pursuing this campaign because maternal and child health are vital to creating stronger families and communities. This approach builds on lessons from SELF, emphasizing collaboration, holistic care, and sustainable recovery.

We’ll measure success through increased participation, feedback from mothers and partners, and tangible improvements in maternal and child health outcomes. While we have strong foundations, we’re seeking additional resources, including more Peer Recovery Coaches and expanded outreach materials. Proven models like the Moms in Recovery Program inspire confidence in our ability to replicate success locally.

This is a realistic, actionable plan, and we’re fully committed to its success. By the end of 2024, we will hire staff, finalize partnerships, and launch outreach, with program sessions and events beginning in early 2025.

By empowering mothers, we create healthier babies and brighter futures for our communities. Let’s work together to make a lasting impact.”

Allen joins the ranks of over 75 Fellows, including the 2024 cohort:

Curt Bowers  |  Vice President, Wintrust Indiana
Sam Burgett  |  Police Social Worker, Porter County Sheriff’s Office
Tonika Davis  |  Owner, Faith Child Care LLC
Sean Egan  |  Director, Education Program, Calumet College of St. Joseph
Dale Eichelman  | Retired Account Executive
Allen Grecula  |  Executive Director, Three20 Recovery Community Center
Denise Koebcke  |  Vice President, Philanthropy, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater NWI
Lauren Kroeger  |  Attorney/Partner, Hoeppner, Wagner, & Evans LLP
Brian O’Connor  |  Retired Attorney, Consultant, Self-Employed
Micah Pollack  |  Associate Dean, School of Business & Economics, IUN
Maceo Rainey  |  Director of TRIO Programs, Ivy Tech Community College, Lake County
Julie Remschneider  |  Superintendent of Schools, North Newton Schools
Kasie Tenbarge  |  Associate Director, First Things First Porter County
Raeann Trakas  |  Senior Community Relations Rep., Cleveland-Cliffs
Kila Ward  |  Director of Education & Workforce Development, City of Michigan City
Leeann Wright  |  Executive Director, Community Foundation of Pulaski County

If you know of a community leader (or yourself!) who would be a good fit for SELF, learn more about the program and nominate them at www.firstthingspc.org/elf.