Valley Children's Healthcare’s Post

SAL Community Services' President & CEO, Marcy Mendenhall, shared about the Illinois Department of Early Childhood Act (IL HB5451) which would consolidate Illinois early childhood services into a single state agency as a means to enhance coordination, efficiency, and effectiveness. Learn more about the importance of this new state level alignment and the impact it will have on local families as we strive to create equitable access to child care in our region. https://lnkd.in/gjVjmHCv

Children are the heart of every community. Every child deserves access to proper healthcare, nutrition, and clean water. Every child deserves the chance to go to school and unlock their full potential. Every child deserves a safe place to grow. Every child deserves access to early childhood programs and after-school activities, to help develop the skills they need to succeed in life. Too many kids in underserved areas don’t have access to the basics they need to grow, learn, and thrive. We need to change this narrative. When we invest in children, we invest in the future of our communities. They’re the ones who will drive progress and make sure no one gets left behind. Let’s give every child the start they deserve. GEANCO Community Center Initiative is interested in the nurturing of every child. Together, we can build brighter futures. One child, one community at a time!

This series of case studies by SchoolHouse Connection highlights programs in Chicago, IL; Fort Worth, TX; and Boston, MA emphasizing early childhood development, family support, and removing barriers to service access. Learn how these initiatives foster family well-being and success through a two-generation approach, integrating home visiting, housing support, and early childhood education and care. Read the case studies: https://ow.ly/ky3M50SCjJy

To transform systems and get better, more equitable outcomes for kids, we have to work together. Collaborative action is making a difference in Fresno, California - including better outcomes for foster youth. See how Cradle to Career Fresno County is bringing partners together to make a difference: https://hubs.li/Q02sTcJ70

Join us this Friday and Saturday at the Oak Park Library (just outside Chicago) for the 5th Annual Restorative Practices Conference! This year's conference has a focus on returning citizens, hearing the wisdom of our neighbors who have been incarcerated. I've been involved with this since 2019 and now I'm local so it's even more exciting. I'm a big believer in all things restorative justice (along with its sibling transformative justice). This conference and the people I've met have been a bedrock of my personal healing and community justice work. Register for free here: https://lnkd.in/g874tZUh The evolution in language to restorative practices (from restorative justice) is significant in that it's intended to be a way of being, of moving through the world, rather than simply a reactive technique to resolve conflict. In this way, we hope that we may reduce conflicts and be better equipped to face them in real time so they don't fester and escalate (eventually manifesting as war). I hope you can carve out some time to explore this critically important path with us. Stephen Jackson, LPC Rachel Zargo Susan Lucci Joshua Easter Cody Cotton Barry Koren, AIA, PhD Karen Lynn Morton Bradly Johnson MPA Andrew Hong Brighid O'Shaughnessy, LSW Joe Rice La Shawn K Ford #restorativejustice #restorativepractices #conference #Chicago #oakpark #transformativejustice #love #hope #unity #conflictresolution #circle #justiceimpacted #harwood #libraries #publiclibraries #socialimpact #mentalhealth #communityengagement

Truth and Reconciliation. That means many things to many people. This is what it means to me as I think about this important day - for our country. The truth is that I have ingrained bias in many aspects of my life because of my personal background. It's not right or wrong .... it just is. What I'm trying to do is educated myself about things I knew very little about, and wasn't taught in my history books. Through my work at two not-for-profit organizations Missing Children Society of Canada and Wood's Homes I have learned to be much more inclusive and inquisitive. The truth is that the impact on Indigenous people, as a direct result of residential schools, now permeates through our society in ways that most cannot comprehend. The reconciliation of this fact to the 'lens' upon which I view the world I believe has made me better contributor to both Wood's Homes and Missing Children Society of Canada, to support indigenous peoples through both organizations programs and services in a respectful way, and most importantly helping me to become a more inclusive human being.

Chan Nam College named after my grandfather and grandmother (Chan Nam Cheong, rest his soul) a popular contractor and philanthropist during HK's British rule has a cat shelter named after him this year...... long after his passing! Go Global Empathetic Design! #heartwarming. #designthinking #innovatehealing #compassionworks #studentledprograms. #purposedrivenlearning. #motivation. #kindnessworks. #behaviormod #trainingpets #whyskids #trainingstudents #humanskills #anxietyrelief. #animalshelters.

Planting roots for a family legacy! 🌳🏡 When building a family home, consider the quality of local schools. Let's craft a dream space where education blooms alongside every cherished moment. 📚🌟 #FamilyHomeEducation #DreamsWithDepth #kingfoundation #landforsale"

Starting a new chapter? 📖✨ As you or your loved one consider transitioning to a senior living community, it's important to approach this decision thoughtfully. The right choice will impact well-being, independence, and quality of life. Give us a call at 866-256-7966 to learn how we can make this next chapter truly special. 🌟🏡 #WickshireWay

Did you know that September 29th is National Day of Belongingness? Creating a sense of belonging in preschool classrooms is so important! We did an entire webinar on this topic with JaneAnn Benson that folks might find interesting. https://lnkd.in/eJfVEagQ