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!

COLLABORATION HIGHLIGHT – LUNCH & LEARN: PAASSS

Tuesday, September 22 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30pm

REGISTER NOW – Virtual 

Please note, this session will be recorded.

Join us in September as we highlight Parents and Agencies Aligning for Stronger Support Systems (PAASSS), a collaborative serving Grundy and Kendall Counties that is strengthening systems through shared leadership, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.

Learn how this volunteer-led, backbone-supported collaborative brings together community partners to identify needs, coordinate services, strengthen family supports, and create innovative, community-driven solutions. From developing a Family Resource Center to leading regional initiatives that connect families with resources, PAASSS demonstrates how strong partnerships can build sustainable systems that respond to the unique needs of local communities.

This session will be facilitated by Jaclyn Vasquez.

ENHANCING RACIAL EQUITY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD COLLAOBRATIONS AND SYSTEMS 

Tuesday, October 06 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:30pm

Tuesday, October 20 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:30pm

REGISTER NOW – Virtual 

Please note, this series will not be recorded.

This training is designed to help participants understand and embody equity within the context of Early Childhood Collaborations (ECC) and Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). It aims to empower participants with an understanding of racial equity, providing them with the best practices to integrate these principles into their professional activities and daily lives. Attendees will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to foster and sustain equitable environments in early childhood systems.

Part 1: Foundational Knowledge
Part 2: Application of Knowledge

This training will be facilitated by Artishia Hunter and Dra. Alexandra Escobar.