Our Work

Upcoming Events

Explore our upcoming training opportunities on community systems development and early childhood collaboration topics. All of our provided trainings are eligible for Gateways credits and certificates issued in collaboration with The Center: Early Childhood Professional Learning.

Please note: our trainings are designed specifically for early childhood collaboration leaders and partners and are approached from a community systems perspective. While we welcome participants from other parts of the early childhood education and care sector, if you are not an early childhood collaboration leader or partner, our trainings might not be wholly relevant to your work. Also, registration priority is given to collaboration leaders and partners.

All events are virtual unless otherwise noted. Registration will open one month prior to each event. Please visit often, as spots fill up quickly!

MOVING ACTION TO POLICY: INFLUENCING SYSTEMS FROM LOCAL TO STATE

Part 1: Thursday, January 22, 11:00am – 12:00pm

Part 2: Thursday, January 29, 11:00am – 12:00pm

REGISTER NOW – Virtual

Please note, this training will not be recorded.

This two-part interactive series supports early childhood collaborations in building on that day-to-day work with practical, concrete strategies to influence policy, starting at the local level and expanding toward statewide systems change.

Part 1: From Community Collaboration to Local Systems Change

  • Learn how to identify policy problems using family stories and local data, map your policy landscape, and build influence through strategic storytelling and actionable tools.

Part 2: Scaling Local Collaboration into State Policy Influence

  • Build on your local momentum to engage in statewide policy conversations. Explore the language of systems influence, connect your work to state decision-makers, and develop a concrete plan to move your message upward.

This training will be facilitated by Jaclyn Vasquez & Dr. Rebecca Halperin.

MINI COHORT: EARLY CHILDHOOD

Part 1: Tuesday, February 10, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Part 2: Tuesday, February 17, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Part 3: Tuesday, February 24, 10:00am – 12:00pm

REGISTER NOW – Virtual

Please note, this training will not be recorded.

Illinois’ young children deserve the best start in life—and the foundations of early childhood education are the building blocks to lifelong success. This three-week mini collaboration cohort is designed for community collaboration partners to come together, learn, and exchange ideas.

Participants will explore:

  • The science of brain development and how it influences early learning.
  • The developing Infant/Toddler and the Importance of Early Intervention
  • The structure and opportunities within Illinois’ early childhood programs and systems.

Each session will feature an expert speaker, Q&A opportunities, and open dialogue to foster meaningful connections and actionable insights. Together, let’s strengthen the fabric of Illinois’ early childhood community.

This training will be facilitated by Jaclyn Vasquez & Dr. Rebecca Halperin.

MEASURING IMPACT: UNDERSTANDING AND CAPTURING FAMILY IMPACT

Part 1: Thursday, February 12, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Part 2: Thursday, February 19, 10:00am – 12:00pm

REGISTER NOW – Virtual

Please note, this training will not be recorded.

Join us for high-level training designed to help early childhood collaborations build the skills to use data meaningfully to understand, communicate, and demonstrate their impact for long-term sustainability.

This training will be facilitated by Hannah Miro & Jaclyn Vasquez.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AS COLLECTIVE HEALING 

Tuesday, March10, 10:00am – 2:00pm

REGISTER NOW – In Person

Please note, this training will not be recorded.

Community engagement in early childhood is essential for children’s well-being and family thriving. This interactive session helps Early Childhood Collaboration members understand how trauma, racialized stress, and system barriers affect trust, participation, and power in early childhood work. Using healing-centered and trauma-informed approaches, participants will explore ways to build stronger relationships, support shared leadership, and create spaces where communities feel valued and included.

Participants will:

  • Understand how trauma and inequities impact engagement
  • Build trust and stronger relationships with communities
  • Move from rule-focused engagement to relationship-focused practices
  • Center community voices and support shared leadership

This session will be facilitated by Dr. Alexandra Escobar.

FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS COMMUNITIES

Thursday, March19, 10:00am – 1:00pm

REGISTER NOW – In Person

Please note, this training will not be recorded.

Sustaining collaborative work in rural communities requires creativity, persistence, and the right tools. This interactive workshop focuses on developing fiscal strategies that fit the realities of smaller communities, where funding streams are often limited.

 

Participants will:

  • Explore innovative approaches like shared resources, diversified funding, and community-based fundraising that build long-term stability.

 

By engaging with peers and working through practical examples, leaders will leave with ideas they can immediately apply in their own communities. We will work together so that rural collaborations remain strong, resilient, and financially sustainable for years to come.

 

This training will be facilitated by Jaclyn Vasquez & Dr. Rebecca Halperin.