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!

Webinar — Introduction to Facilitating Effective Community System Development Meetings: A Handbook for Collaboration Leaders

Watch this webinar to learn how our new handbook, Facilitating Effective Community System Development Meetings: A Handbook for Collaboration Leaders can build your facilitation competence. Learn how it is unique, who can benefit, an introduction to the contents, and additional related supports.

FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY IN RURAL ILLINOIS COMMUNITIES

Thursday, March 19, 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.

COLLAORATION HIGHLIGHT: LUNCH & LEARN – READY TO LEARN & ALIGNMENT ROCKFORD

Thursday, April 16, 11:00am – 12:00pm

REGISTER NOW – Virtual

Please note, this session will be recorded.

Join us for an engaging Lunch and Learn session highlighting Ready to Learn, the early childhood initiative of Alignment Rockford, a backbone organization working to improve outcomes for children and families across the Rockford region.

What You’ll Experience:

An overview of how Alignment Rockford structures and sustains cross-sector collaboration
Insights into how shared EDI data drives decision-making, funding alignment, and community strategy
A closer look at the Community Saturation model and tiered system of supports
Reflections on partnership building, implementation challenges, and lessons learned
Opportunities to engage directly with leaders and partners during an interactive Q&A

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