At Children’s Institute, we`re shifting systems toward justice for children. From advocating for greater funding across early childhood policy initiatives to supporting educators in schools with research-backed improvement science, we want to make Oregon an incredible state to be a kid. But this work doesn’t happen in a vacuum.

We`re collaborating with school districts facing threats of wildfires. We`re learning from culturally-specific communities who serve families on the frontlines of climate change risks. That means that protecting "the environment" isn`t really a separate goal from protecting kids -- the two are deeply intertwined.

To honor our promises to the next generation and build a hopeful, livable future for children, well-- we’re going to need an even bigger movement. Read more at our feature on the Portland Business Journal, and celebrate Earth Month by joining our mission for a healthier, more joyful future for Oregon`s children🌎

Spring is in full bloom, and so is the CI team! 🌸The past few weeks have been an awesome time of growth for our staff as we`ve jumped into opportunities for in-depth learning, connecting with our peers across the early childhood space, and sharing our work in community. We loved meeting new educator friends at the ASCD conference earlier in the month, hearing from innovators in early childhood at the Deeper Learning conference, discussing continuous improvement strategies at the Carnegie Summit, and more. Let`s keep the conversations going! 🤓What`s something that has sparked your curiosity in the world of early childhood this season?

Big news in CHIPs and child care!⚡️ Back in March, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a deal with Intel to provide $8.5 BILLION in funding for semiconductor manufacturing, enhancing the U.S. supply chain`s leadership in advanced technology -- but that`s not all. This decision includes a significant investment in affordable, accessible, high-quality child care for its workers across its facilities, providing a back-up care program for U.S. employees, discounted primary child care options with access to a vetted provider network, and a child care reimbursement program for non-exempt employees.WE LOVE TO SEE IT

In honor of this important step forward for the prioritization of child care, Kali Thorne Ladd, pictured above with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (a longtime supporter of building child care infrastructure, supporting families, and strengthening the CHIPS Act) attended Intel`s Commitment to Innovation Breakfast yesterday at Intel`s Gordon Moore Park, in Hillsboro, Oregon. We can`t wait to see the impact of this CHIPS award on children, families, and child care providers across Oregon and the rest of the United States.

Happy Earth Day! 🌎🌱 At Children`s Institute, we`re working to build a better future for kids through policy and practice. But this work doesn`t happen in a vacuum! Our work often happens at the nexus of education, health, AND climate and environment—and the work we do in coalition needs to adjust to everchanging and dynamic community needs.

"Climate change is not a separate issue, it is the context we are all living in today. The impacts have a profound effect on the health and flourishing of young children, from birth to 8 years old, making them one of the most affected groups across society" (Capita, 2023).

Protecting children and creating a more just world for them to grow up in demands a truly collective effort, uniting sectors from health and education to politics, workforce development, housing and construction... and environmental justice! The good news is, when we put children at the center of our plans, mutual values align and solutions become clearer as we realize that together we can (and must!) build a future rooted in justice and care—for each other and our environment. #earthday #earthmonth