Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Management and Leadership Skills of Head Start Executives
Two of our early childhood services staff recently attended an 11-day intensive leadership and management development training course at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. More than 200 individuals from around the country applied to the prestigious program, with only 80 receiving the honor of attending. Stacy Mirro serves our agency as the Director of […]
Fathers and Children: Building Blocks to Strengthen Families
Building LEGO, reading, playing sports, hide and seek, peekaboo, and even tickling are all examples of activities that foster creativity and closeness. In fact, research shows that playtime stimulates early brain development and improves a child’s communication, vocabulary, and language skills. Play also contributes to school readiness by helping children learn how to problem-solve, manage […]
Remembering Camille Harmon
“Her love, infectious smile, high spirit, humility, and integrity impacted everyone she knew. Never once did Camille doubt our abilities, empowering us to excel and to be the best in all our endeavors and not lose sight of that.” Our agency is deeply saddened by the news of Camille Harmon’s passing on February 22, 2022. […]
Illinois Kids Ready for a Return to Learning
“Our block party in Englewood started off as a small, unorganized idea three summers ago and now it has become an annual neighborhood tradition. It’s such a good feeling to be able to not only support the children we serve, but also the community we’re rooted in.” ~ Michel Quezada, Manager of Family & Community Engagement Chicago […]
One Year In: How Our Children and Families are Doing
Over the past year, we have seen firsthand the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the 30,000 children and families we partner with, many living in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the virus. The pandemic not only exacerbated the issues that our families already face—including poverty, chronic stress and mental health […]
Illinois State Board of Education
At Children’s Home & Aid, we offer the full breadth of high-quality state- and federally-funded early childhood programs – from home visiting, Early Head Start, and the Prevention Initiative program to the Child Care Assistance Program, Head Start, and Preschool for All. That’s why we were grateful for the opportunity to appear before the Illinois […]
Early Childhood Centers Reopen
This week, Children’s Home & Aid reopened its five early education sites in Chicagoland and Bloomington. It’s been a busy week for the site managers, teachers and the families. While it was clear that everyone was excited to reconnect, there was also a sense of anxious anticipation as the new pandemic-related rules were implemented. “Our […]
National Head Start Awareness Month
October marks National Head Start Awareness Month. Head Start programming at Children’s Home & Aid promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children. Through Head Start, we offer educational, health, disability, mental health, nutrition and social services to children from 3 to 5 years of age. Early Childhood Care & Education […]
Join the Edwardsons: Support Children’s Home & Aid’s Early Childhood Centers at the Woman’s Board September Gala
All healthy children are born with the same potential to become successful learners. But those born in high-risk environments (low income, young or single parents and low maternal education) face significant barriers to healthy development. Children’s Home & Aid’s Early Childhood Centers provide unique, essential and comprehensive programming for vulnerable children and their families. Children’s […]
Familiar face, new role: Get to Know Dawnielle Jeffrey, Vice President of Early Childhood Services
We’re excited to introduce Dawnielle Jeffrey as our new Vice President of Early Childhood Services. She takes over for Jan Stepto-Millett, who stepped up as Interim Chief Operating Officer in September 2018. Dawnielle is a familiar face at Children’s Home & Aid—she joined the agency in April 2013 as the Director of Education. Dawnielle brings with with her […]
Cultivating Young Minds with Love and Learning
If you’ve ever wondered if your gifts to Children’s Home & Aid truly make a difference, look no further than our Jerri Hoffmann Child & Family Center in Carpentersville. Thanks to you, lives are being changed and futures are becoming brighter. In my role as a member of Children’s Home & Aid’s fundraising team, I […]
Bill to Provide Child Care to Children Who Experienced Abuse or Neglect Awaits Governor’s Signature
In May, the Illinois General Assembly passed HB4885 which provides families with children ages 0 to 5 with an indicated case of abuse and neglect access to free- or low-cost child care through the state’s Child Care Assistance Program. Research shows that early exposure to child abuse and neglect can affect the structure of the […]
How the Palatine Child Care Center Helped a Teen Mother Thrive
Throughout 2018, we are celebrating 135 years of meeting every child, every family, where their need is greatest. Doing whatever it takes so children and families can thrive. We are proud of our legacy of meeting the changing needs of vulnerable families throughout Illinois and inspired by the children and families we serve and their stories of resilience. […]
Meet JJ: Children’s Home + Aid Intern Turned Teacher
“I had never felt at home in a job before my experience at Children’s Home + Aid. When I started my internship, I quickly decided that this is where I want to be now and for the rest of my life.” These were the heartfelt words of JJ, an Early Childhood Teacher at Children’s Home […]
Jordan’s Story
Jordan’s mom, Clara, was terribly worried about her son when she brought him to a Children’s Home + Aid Early Childhood Center. “I knew something was wrong,” the young mom said. “Jordan wasn’t crawling or eating table food, he didn’t talk, and he just seemed ‘flat’ – no emotion. I was so worried.” Clara is […]
Dawnielle Jeffrey selected as UCLA Head Start Management Fellow
Children’s Home + Aid Director of Programs Dawnielle Jeffrey was recently chosen as one of 40 early childhood education professionals in the country as a UCLA Head Start Management Fellow. As part of the fellowship, she attended a 12-day intensive leadership and management seminar at the University of California, Los Angeles. The prestigious UCLA Head Start […]
State Senator Schimpf Visit
On February 20, we welcomed State Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) to the Lighthouse Learning Center in Cahokia. Sen. Schimpf spent nearly two hours at the Center discussing the importance of early childhood services with our staff. During the visit, Sen. Schimpf shared quite a lot about himself and how he came into office. A former U.S. […]
