Investing Early, Leading Strong: Strawberry Fields Champions Support for Youngest Learners

On March 26, Annie Smith, Director of Early Intervention at Strawberry Fields and current President of the Pennsylvania Early Intervention Providers Association, stood in the Pennsylvania State Capitol rotunda alongside lawmakers and fellow advocates to champion the importance of Early Intervention services for infants and toddlers across the Commonwealth.

Early Intervention is specialized support for children from birth to age three who are experiencing developmental delays. These services help build essential skills during a child’s most critical window of growth. Annie understands this both professionally and personally—she credits Early Intervention with helping two of her own children overcome early challenges and go on to thrive.

At Strawberry Fields, we work hard to be a trusted provider of these vital services in Centre County. Our team of three occupational therapists, five speech pathologists, four physical therapists, and three special education teachers is committed to ensuring that as many children as possible receive support—when it matters most.

Our professionals travel throughout the county, using a family and caregiver coaching model that honors each family’s strengths and values. We provide personalized strategies and guidance to help parents and caregivers integrate developmental support into everyday routines. Early Intervention builds on the natural learning moments in a child’s day—whether at mealtime, playtime, or bedtime—to foster healthy development and long-term success.

In her remarks, Annie urged legislators to strengthen funding and expand access, noting that Early Intervention not only changes the course of individual lives, but also offers a significant return on investment for communities and the Commonwealth as a whole.

We’re proud of Annie’s leadership—and proud to see Strawberry Fields playing a leading role in shaping the future of Early Intervention in Pennsylvania. This work matters, and we are honored to do it every day.