In the mid 90s, a few ideators from the Heinz Endowments and the United Way of Southwestern PA, alongside young advocates, gathered together to plan. They wanted to start an initiative that addressed the growing movement for early childhood education.The data was new and the waters fairly untested at the time, but that didn’t daunt them. They were willing to take the risk to meet Pittsburgh’s need for an early childhood education program accessible to children from all backgrounds. Because the project was driven by philanthropy, they were able to take that risk. Though the organizers didn’t have any prior models from which to glean lessons and insights, the Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) decided to brave the unknown. Backed initially by the Heinz Endowments and the Richar

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