“Empathy is not simply a matter of trying to imagine what others are going through, but having the will to muster enough courage to do something about it. In a way, empathy is predicated upon hope.”
– Cornel West
CS3 Updates
Registration Open!
2026 Partner Plan Act Conference
Equity from the Start: Centering Community Well-Being in Early Childhood Systems
April 28-30 | 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. CT
Together, we will explore how early childhood education and care collaborations can intentionally build systems that promote community well-being.
Community well-being recognizes the shared relationship between individual wellness, collective care, and the conditions that allow families, providers, and communities to thrive. When communities are supported, resourced, and valued, systems are better equipped to respond with care, accountability, and shared responsibility.
Introducing Our Speakers
We Want Your Input! Complete the CS3 Training Needs Assessment
As the CS3 team looks ahead to upcoming training and technical assistance plans, we’re inviting all Illinois early childhood collaboration leaders to complete our annual Training Needs Assessment. Your feedback will shape future trainings, On-Demand Learning courses, and the Partner Plan Act Conference.
Please share the assessment with other community collaboration members so we can respond to the training needs of our partners across the state.
Upcoming CS3 Trainings and Events
Collaboration Highlight: Ready to Learn + Alignment Rockford
Thursday, April 16
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Join us for an engaging virtual Lunch & Learn session highlighting Ready to Learn. This is an early childhood initiative of Alignment Rockford, a backbone organization working to improve outcomes for children and families across the Rockford region.
Ready to Learn brings together a broad network of cross-sector partners—including education, health, early childhood, and community-based organizations—to align strategy, funding, and programming around a shared commitment to early childhood success. Through the use of shared data and investments, such as the Early Development Instrument (EDI), and the Community Saturation Grant, the collaboration has developed a coordinated, tiered system of supports to reach children and families earlier and more effectively.
This session will be facilitated by Jaclyn Vasquez and Dr. Rebecca Halperin.
This session will be recorded.
Fiscal Sustainability in Southern Illinois Communities
Location: Mt. Vernon, Illinois
Date: Thursday, March 19
Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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 that may face limited access to funding.
Participants will explore innovative approaches like shared resources, diversified funding, and community-based fundraising that build long-term stability.
This training will be facilitated by Jaclyn Vasquez and Dr. Rebecca Halperin.
This series is eligible for Gateways credits and certificates issued in collaboration with The Center: Early Childhood Professional Learning.
Please note,this training will not be recorded.
Other Events & Updates
We, the Village Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Advocacy Toolkit
We, the Village has created an FY27 Advocacy Toolkit for parents, providers, and early childhood community members. Access the toolkit, social media calendar, and ready-to-use graphics to find guidance for contacting your legislators and helping raise awareness about the need for greater investment in early childhood programs.
For the latest information and funding updates, register for We, the Village’s April meeting.
Join Us for Early Childhood Advocacy Day 2026!
May 13, 2026
10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Springfield, Illinois
Join advocates from across the state at Early Childhood Advocacy Day (ECAD) to stand up for young children and their families!
If you live in or near Dolton or Rockford, ride with us to and from Springfield on our sponsored bus for FREE!
Visit our website to register for ECAD and reserve your seat on the bus. Please note, bus capacity is limited and registration for ECAD and transportation are separate.
Training Opportunities in Collaboration with The Center: Early Childhood Professional Learning
Monday, March 16
Monday, March 30
Visit The Center’s Training Calendar for more opportunities.
View The Center Training Calendar
weconnect
WeConnect brings together members who are dedicated to advancing community systems development in early childhood education and care.
You can also find and access our on-demand courses on WeConnect. Be sure to check out our latest course: Fiscal Sustainability 201!
Fiscal Sustainability 201 is designed for early childhood collaborations ready to deepen and apply their knowledge of sustainable funding strategies to meet long-term goals. Building on the foundational concepts from Fiscal Sustainability 101, this course will help you strengthen your funding practices with a focus on strategy, alignment, and implementation.
WeConnect gives you access to:
- Online Communities: Connect with your collaboration, get early childhood and community systems development news, and meet other collaborations members online.
- Discussions: Ask questions and share your knowledge and ideas.
- Resource Libraries: Share and find the resources you need.
- Member Directory: Get in touch with other collaboration members.
Check your spam folder if you have not received a confirmation email.
CS3 Resources
Access Printing Support
The CS3 team is continuing to offer support in partnership with American Color Labs for printing services. If your local early childhood collaboration has marketing materials that you’d like to print, please complete this Request for Support form.
Printing support can include flyers, annual reports, marketing collateral, stickers, banners, posters, and more. Please reach out to the CS3 team if you have questions about this support.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a service provided specifically to early childhood education and care (ECEC) collaborations. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests for individual programs.