The Latest
Looking Back, Moving Forward: Early School Success Academy’s Year in Review
Exciting news! Children’s Institute’s Early Learning Academy is now the Early School Success Academy (ESS Academy). The name has changed, but everything else remains the same. Read on to take a look back with us as we reflect on the 2023-2024 ESS Academy, and discover why this learning opportunity is too good to miss!
An Ecosystem of Care and Community with Adriane Blackman
In the latest episode of the Early Link Podcast, the Children’s Institute communications team records a long-form story by CI Guest Contributor, Adriane Blackman. Blackman’s story, “An Ecosystem of Care and Community,” delves into the transformation of early childhood education in Yoncalla, Oregon, documenting the impact of CI’s Early Works initiative in partnership with incredible folks from across the community.
Short and Sweet: Oregon’s 2024 Legislative Session
As the Oregon 2024 Legislative Session ended this year, the Policy and Advocacy team at CI let out a deep breath of gratitude, relief, and excitement for the year ahead. Short sessions often prove frustrating for what can be accomplished, but this year built on the chaotic momentum of 2023’s session, clearing the path for early childhood advocates to make great strides forward.
See what’s happening at Children’s Institute
Looking for an amazing weekend plan? It`s not too late to get your tickets for this Saturday`s TEDx Portland! This very special speaking event will feature 12 outstanding leaders -- including CI`s CEO, Kali Thorne Ladd!
As a social entrepreneur, Kali is passionate about the neuroscience of love and belonging as a driving force for education transformation and human flourishing. Her 25-year career spans from teacher to program manager to policy maker, and she`ll be talking about the importance of love in early childhood development. We can`t wait to be inspired by her message and the rest of the incredible guests this weekend! See you there 😎Ticket link in bio!
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
Child care is the work that makes all other work possible. So join the 🌸 Give Them Flowers 🌸 campaign led by Child Care for Oregon to share gratitude for an amazing parent or provider in your life! Head to bit.ly/nominateforflowers to nominate someone or sign up to receive YOUR flowers today! bit.ly/ideserveflowers
At Children’s Institute, our goal 🥅 is to create a socially just and equitable Oregon where all children have the love, care, and education they need.
You can pass your kicker tax credit or refund to Children’s Institute to support our policy, advocacy, and action efforts. Your support will allow us to advocate for young children’s health and well-being, increase access to high-quality child care, and work directly with school districts across the state to transform the educational experience in early learning and early grades.
Take your shot ⚽, help us make Oregon the BEST place to be a kid! Link to donate in bio.
Events
Oregon Early Childhood Summit
Oregon Early Childhood Summit
How does Oregon support equity, belonging, and access across sectors? Join partners from across ear...
Vose Elementary Learning Lab
Vose Elementary Learning Lab
The learning lab at Vose Elementary will showcase the work of Children's Institute's Early School Success
Champions for Children 2024
Champions for Children 2024
We are thrilled to announce that Children’s Institute will host Champions for Children 2024 on Friday...
Registration is open for the 2024-2025 Early School Success Academy!
Our Early School Success Academy is team-based learning experience for educators working to strengthen early learning in their communities, preschool to third grade. District or school teams participate in four virtual sessions between October and March and five coaching sessions scheduled at their convenience.
Why participate? You’ll join a network of educators across Oregon working to strengthen early learning in their school communities. You’ll also get access to rich content, expert thought partnership, coaching, resources, and a membership to our exclusive change library.
Tune in to The Early Link Podcast
The Early Link Podcast highlights national, regional, and local voices working in early childhood education and the nonprofit sector. The podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Rafael Otto, Children’s Institute’s director of communications.
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