Trying Together has selected Julie Thumma, the resource development specialist at Lifesteps in Butler, as its July advocate of the month.
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Lifesteps is an independent, nonprofit, human services agency assisting families with challenges at various stages in life. The agency works to meet the needs of the community by helping children, families, older adults, and individuals with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities lead better lives — offering care and support through family‑focused services and programs.
Thumma said that her journey as an early childhood advocate has been shaped by her professional experiences and personal life.
“Every step along the way has reinforced my belief that the earliest years of a child’s life are among the most important – and that the people who care for and educate young children deserve to be supported, valued, and connected,” she said.
Thumma earned a degree in social work and then became the director of a child care center, but she had little preparation in business management or early childhood education. She soon realized that many professionals in the field faced the same challenges.
“They were expected to lead programs, support families, and provide high-quality care while often working in isolation and with limited resources,” she said. “I also saw the disparity between the tremendous value of their work and the recognition and compensation they received. Those experiences inspired me to advocate for the early childhood workforce and for stronger systems that support both educators and children.”
Thumma said her advocacy has been shaped by her career at Lifesteps. For the past 25 years, she has served as the coordinator of the Butler County Early Care & Education Council, a countywide collaboration that brings together leaders from preschool programs, early intervention, human services, and school districts. The council assesses the community’s early childhood systems, shares resources, and develops projects that strengthen the continuum of education from birth through third grade.
In 2008, her advocacy became more personal when she became a mother in need of full-time child care. She experienced firsthand the importance of finding affordable, high-quality care. At the same time, Pennsylvania was implementing Keystone STARS, and she worked in Butler County to help support its implementation.
“Seeing those efforts through the eyes of both a parent and a former child care director strengthened my belief that positive, high-quality learning experiences provide the foundation for lifelong success,” she said.
As her child approached kindergarten, she also experienced the uncertainty that comes with the milestone. This helped to deepen her passion for helping families, early learning providers, and elementary schools to work together to create smoother transitions into school.
“When children experience continuity between preschool and kindergarten, families feel more confident, teachers are better prepared, and children begin school ready to thrive,” she said.
Ashley Harland, Trying Together’s early childhood policy manager, said she met Thumma through her role at the Butler Early Care and Education Council.
“Julie gets it,” Harland said. “She understands the critical role of early childhood education (ECE) in the life of a child; she knows that parents rely on high-quality ECE; and she is devoted to elevating the professionals that work in ECE.”
