Our Work
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.
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.
BEYOND READINESS BOOK TALK: CONVERSATIONS FOR ILLINOIS COLLABORATIONS
Tuesday, September 15 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, November 10 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, January 19 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Please note, this series will not be recorded.
In his book, Readiness: Preparing State Early Childhood Systems for a Brighter Future, Elliot Regenstein explores the successes and challenges of publicly funded early childhood services among states who have been seeking to create a coherent system, mixing care and education programs.
Join, Jaclyn Vasquez and Aziza Hummeid in a 3-part series that will explore the contents of the book and how it relates to our early childhood system and services in Illinois. Through open discussion, we hope to strengthen relationships amongst participants and across early childhood collaborations, to identify opportunities for shared learning, and develop partnerships.
COLLABORATION HIGHLIGHT – LUNCH & LEARN: PAASSS
Tuesday, September 22 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30pm
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
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.