Brief History
Early Childhood Resource and Training Center (ECRTC) was established in 1973 as a resource to support families and communities to ensure the healthy development of all children. Previously known as, Child Care Resource Center Southside, ECRTC was the brainchild of a parent group in Minneapolis that was in need of a place to gather and share parenting information and issues. But the scope was later expanded to include a lending library and resource information on child care.

In the mid-70's the center added a teenage mother and support program and in1985 launched its Impact Project moving staff of color in centers into lead positions such as Assistant and Head Teacher's. The latter was designed to improve early childhood services to African American children in south Minneapolis. In 1989, the center expanded its reach, and defined its mission, to serve the needs of families from economic disadvantaged communities throughout the Minneapolis area.
In the fall of 1994 the name was changed to Early Childhood Resource Center. It developed rapidly as a unique resource to communities of color. Despite the many changes and transition periods, the agency maintained its exclusive role as a grassroots agency that had the competence and capacity to address the early childhood and care giving needs of children from communities of color.

The agency assumed its current name, Early Childhood Resource and Training Center, in the year 2004. It now offers a variety of other unique culturally appropriate programs such as Capacity Building, University college credits, Child Development Associates (CDA), Entry Level in-service Training, ELL computer lab, SignBridge, Culturally Specific Community Leadership Models (Latino/Chicano, Somali/Oromo, African American, cross cultural and rural) which extends its services statewide, Literacy and School Readiness Home Visiting, and Building Cultural Connections training.

Mission
ECRTC is dedicated to its mission of challenging communities to embrace the healthy development of children.

Funding
ECRTC is funded through a combination of individual donations and Foundation grants.

• Major Funding Partners
• 2003-2004 Annual Report