“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
– Alice Walker
Recent Executive Orders
IAFC continues to monitor developments related to the new federal administration. We stand firm in our commitment to building strong families, powerful communities, and equitable systems for our children. Visit our website to stay informed with news and resources.
CS3 Updates
Welcome Back to WeConnect!
The WeConnect Online Community is now LIVE! This new platform is designed to bring together more than 700 members like you who are dedicated to advancing community systems development in the early childhood education and care world.
WeConnect gives you access to:
- Online Communities: Connect with your collaboration, get early childhood and community systems development news, and meet other collaborations members online.
- Discussions: Ask questions and share your knowledge and ideas.
- Resource Libraries: Share and find resources you need.
- Member Directory: Get in touch with other collaboration members.
On-Demand Learning
WeConnect also offers CS3’s Gateway-accredited, on-demand online courses—free and accessible at any time. You and your collaboration members can access courses on governance, community systems development, coordinated intake, and more.
Be sure to check out our newest online module, Fiscal Sustainability101.
We’re thrilled to have you rejoin us on WeConnect and can’t wait to see the collaboration and innovation it fosters.
Please check your spam folder if you have not received a confirmation email.
All Regions – Shared Learning Session [In-Person]
Join early childhood Collaboration Leaders and Birth to Five Illinois Regional Managers from across the state for an opportunity to network, share insights, and strengthen partnerships. This in-person event is designed to foster connections and enhance collaboration efforts between regional managers and local community leaders.
What to Expect:
- Engage with Peers: Connect with fellow leaders from across the state to share insights, challenges, and strategies.
- Deepen Your Knowledge: Participate in interactive sessions focused on advancing community impact and strengthening our collective efforts.
- Collaborative Learning: Work together on real-world challenges, leveraging the collective wisdom of our community to drive meaningful change.
Location: In Person, Bloomington, Illinois
Date: May 21
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Upcoming Trainings
Community Systems Development Meeting Facilitation Fundamentals
This two-part virtual training series will be based on our new handbook: Facilitating Effective Community System Development Meetings: A Handbook for Collaboration Leaders. This ten-chapter facilitation handbook is written specifically for leaders who facilitate community systems development meetings, and the training is being developed according to level of interest in the handbook content. training is being developed according to level of interest in the handbook content.
This training will be facilitated by Christina Foster.
Part 1: March 12
Part 2: March 19
Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
This training series is eligible for Gateways credits and certificates issued in collaboration with The Center: Early Childhood Professional Learning.
This training will not be recorded.
Disaggregating Data for Rural Early Childhood Community Collaborations
This in-person workshop is designed to address the unique data challenges faced by early childhood collaborations in rural communities. Together, we’ll build a foundation for equity-driven decision making tailored to the needs of your community. This series will be led by Jaclyn Vasquez.
Training Objectives:
- Explore practical strategies for collecting and disaggregating data by race, income, and other key demographics.
- Focus on limited-capacity outreach and innovative approaches.
- Learn how data can reveal disparities, support equitable resource allocation, and drive meaningful change for children and families in rural settings.
Location: In Person, Mt. Vernon, Illinois
Date: March 27
Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
This training series is eligible for Gateways credits and certificates issued in collaboration with The Center: Early Childhood Professional Learning.
This training will not be recorded.
Resources
Access Printing Support
The CS3 team is continuing to offer support in partnership with American Color Labs for printing services. If your local early childhood collaboration has marketing materials that you’d like to print, please complete this Request for Support form.
Printing support can include flyers, annual reports, marketing collateral, stickers, banners, posters, and more. Please reach out to the CS3 team if you have questions about this support.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a service provided specifically to early childhood education and care (ECEC) collaborations. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests for individual programs.Request Support
Training Opportunities in Collaboration with The Center: Early Childhood Professional Learning
February 18 – Using Sign Language Without Being Fluent
- Participants in this workshop will learn how to implement sign language to enhance literacy, projects, and classroom management.
February 19 – From Playing to Printing
- This webinar will teach educators to identify potential challenges and provide adaptations for common classroom activities.
February 26 – Improving Paraprofessional and Teacher Collaboration for Better Student Outcomes
- Educators will learn techniques for improving teamwork and will have opportunities to practice giving clear and kind feedback.
Be sure to visit The Center’s Training Calendar for more opportunities.