Collaboration for Early Childhood Candidate Survey Responses 2021

In your opinion, what is the role of your Board in achieving the goal of assuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, early childhood support, care and education?

My campaign for village president is largely about attaining community level goals together. As village president I am looking forward to being an active participant for the early childhood collaboration with the understanding that we have a collective obligation to maximize the impact of our partnerships so that our systems are working to best serve our community. I was present in 2012 at Unity Temple when Dr. Heckman spoke to the individual and societal need to provide quality early childhood support, care, and education as a prevention approach that leads to greater success for our young people and in-turn on society. As a teacher by trade, single parent, and individual with a learning disability myself this is a belief I know to be true and a premise that I have operated from in my professional career as an educator and coalition builder for prevention work. I believe a community development approach makes for the greatest possibility of positive change by mobilizing people to take shared responsibility for improving community. I wrote a community assessment report in January of 2017 for a State grant with the Illinois Department of Human Services beginning with that exact point. Thank you for your work.

If elected, would achieving the vision of an integrated and high-quality early childhood system as outlined in the chart below be a priority for you as a policy maker? If yes, then what steps would you propose to further this plan as a priority? If no, then what items do you view as higher priorities and why?

Yes, I would support and actively participate as a policy maker in achieving a vision for an integrated and high-quality early childhood system for our community. As village president I would do what I can to support the efforts of the early childhood collaboration in; 1) being present with harder to reach groups in our community to spread awareness for the work of the collab and build trust, 2) strengthen relationships in River Forest with the understanding that we share the same High School, and 3) leverage relationships that I have with state and federally elected officials to secure grants when possible.

My limited but notable accomplishments building trust in my own professional work as a nonprofit leader and teacher have been to be present and listen for what I can learn from and help when I can with a level of self-awareness to not appropriate a conversation that does not belong to me. I believe the attention and presence of a village president can go a long way to strengthening collaboration. I respect that the early childhood collaboration has professionals that connect with families and partner agencies and my role as a policy maker would not be to undermine or get overly involved.

With my experience facilitating state and federal prevention grants I also understand the importance of accurate data collection to drive strategies. I would be an effective leader at the village board table working to make sure my colleagues equally understand the need for data driven decision making and accountability so that we are good fiduciaries for our constituents and supporting programs for the greatest level of success.

In your opinion, what is the role of your Board in achieving the goal of assuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, early childhood support, care and education?

The Board has a clear role in safeguarding and leading the future of our community, and early childhood development is an essential cornerstone of that effort. COVID has further exposed disparities in childhood support and education to such a magnitude that intergovernmental cooperation is absolutely mandatory. I believe that the Village Board should work closely with other taxing bodies to ensure that funds are effectively deployed to provide critical services for families who need early childhood support. The Board should further listen to guidance from its citizens commissions. When I was a member of the Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee, I helped to disburse around $300,000 in HUD funding in Oak Park to provide needed support to many of the nonprofits in the village, including organizations focused on family welfare. This experience informs my view that the Board can work across community organizations to ensure our families and children are supported fully.

If elected, would achieving the vision of an integrated and high-quality early childhood system as outlined in the chart below be a priority for you as a policy maker? If yes, then what steps would you propose to further this plan as a priority? If no, then what items do you view as higher priorities and why?

Yes, it would absolutely be a priority for me and I would propose a number of steps to support an exemplary early childhood support system in Oak Park. First, I would work with the Village Manager to protect the money earmarked within the budget for family and childhood welfare and prioritize it in the annual budget process. Additionally, I would weigh in with the other intergovernmental bodies to have them prioritize funding as well, essentially saying “we are putting in our share, you need to put in your share.” As always, I would also look towards innovative ways to drive revenue in our Village with an eye on dedicating an allocation of the proceeds to early childhood assistance. Furthermore, the Board can play a critical function regarding coordination, advocacy, and awareness. In that instance, I would recommend leveraging our communication channels to stress the importance of early learning, family engagement, health and development, and community partnerships. Lastly, as equity and fairness are pillars of my value system and of my campaign, I would work to see that the Board approaches issues concerning early childhood support and education with a laser-like focus on the needs of our under-served neighborhoods. I live this as part of the board for the Center for Healthcare Innovation where we have developed exciting programs to draw young girls into STEM through our Science Runway program.

In your opinion, what is the role of your Board in achieving the goal of assuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, early childhood support, care and education?

I whole-heartedly believe that investing in a child’s early life can fundamentally and positively change that child’s life. Investing in all children does more than just impact one child or one family, it affects our community and society. Every dollar invested in quality early childhood programs produces $7-$10 in savings on remedial education, law enforcement, and other public expenditures – this according to Professor James Heckman, a Nobel laureate whose research focuses on the benefits of social investments and public underwriting of early childhood development.

As a father, I want all children to benefit from early childhood support, care and education. Every child deserves attention and support regardless of their parent’s ability to provide it.

Should I be elected to the Village Board, I would support early childhood programs and make sure that a portion of our budget is dedicated to these initiatives.

If elected, would achieving the vision of an integrated and high-quality early childhood system as outlined in the chart below be a priority for you as a policy maker? If yes, then what steps would you propose to further this plan as a priority? If no, then what items do you view as higher priorities and why?

Yes. I plan to make research and evidence-based investments in early childhood a priority. While the expertise to evaluate the policy options and measure the short-term outcomes is more closely aligned with school districts and the library, I commit to strengthening the collaboration between all relevant taxing bodies, especially in regards to early childhood initiatives. I will also work to foster collaboration between similarly focused groups (e.g. collaboration for early childhood and the Day Nursery) and will seek out opportunities with neighboring communities, like River Forest.

In your opinion, what is the role of your Board in achieving the goal of assuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, early childhood support, care and education?

Numerous studies confirm the importance of high-quality early childhood programs and their long-term benefits for children’s social, emotional and educational growth. I have a personal perspective on this through my late sister and oldest son, both educators in and around Oak Park school systems. The Board should help to identify and address barriers to accessibility for families, particularly families of color, low-income and bilingual families who may not have the resources or information to participate in such programs. In addition, the Board should leverage funds and policy changes that help inform families of program options and address obstacles to accessibilty.

If elected, would achieving the vision of an integrated and high-quality early childhood system as outlined in the chart below be a priority for you as a policy maker? If yes, then what steps would you propose to further this plan as a priority? If no, then what items do you view as higher priorities and why?

I would support furthering this system in several ways. First, funding programs that support the food and housing stability for families. Second, supporting public outreach and education campaigns so that families are aware of early childhood programming. Third, partner with school and district leaders to assess the needs of families and continue developmental assessments to build upon the foundation of early childhood plans. Lastly, it is important to recognize that there is no “one size fits all” approach to helping families in a diverse community such as Oak Park. Incorporating the goals of the plan outlined below into programs across the Village best support these efforts.

In your opinion, what is the role of your Board in achieving the goal of assuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, early childhood support, care and education?

Education doesn’t start with kindergarten. The years prior to entering formal schooling with District 97 are critical. We know this; research has demonstrated its importance again and again. If the District doesn’t work with other Village entities to ensure that children reach kindergarten with access to the requisite support, care, and education needed, then the District will face more challenges addressing the deep gap and inequities that will inevitably result.

If elected, would achieving the vision of an integrated and high-quality early childhood system as outlined in the chart below be a priority for you as a policy maker? If yes, then what steps would you propose to further this plan as a priority? If no, then what items do you view as higher priorities and why?

By building a network of support for families with young children, the Collaboration for Early Childhood demonstrates why and how intergovernmental cooperation can be a powerful force for good. The vision outlined is ambitious and important. It recognizes that when all of these services work together, they are at their most effective. The first step I would take to further this plan would be to tie each part of the vision to definable goals and set metrics to be able to evaluate how effective implemented plans are. With that data, CEC would be able to determine how the budget can be allocated to greatest impact and update the vision to make certain it continues to meet community needs.

In your opinion, what is the role of your Board in achieving the goal of assuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, early childhood support, care and education?

Early childhood programming is critically important to setting all students on a solid path to achieve at the highest levels. The Board of Education plays an important role in these efforts by setting policies that promote access to early childhood programming and helping ensure that the District is collaborating with outside agencies who provide support to children, like the Collaboration for Early Childhood. The Board of Education can also promote early childhood programming by prioritizing goals related to these efforts as part of the District’s strategic plan and the Superintendent’s annual performance goals. This allows the Board to hold the District and Superintendent accountable for ensuring collaboration to provide high quality early childhood programming for children. These efforts will pay dividends in ensuring access to educational programming for students.

If elected, would achieving the vision of an integrated and high-quality early childhood system as outlined in the chart below be a priority for you as a policy maker? If yes, then what steps would you propose to further this plan as a priority? If no, then what items do you view as higher priorities and why?

As a Board member, I will continue to prioritize the District’s partnership with the Collaboration for Early Childhood to ensure that we are preparing all children to be successful learners and individuals. The Collaboration’s priority chart sets forth a clear vision for how to accomplish this, and I will continue to support these efforts as a Board member. In order to promote this vision, I suggest continuing the discussion between the District and the Collaboration on ways to partner to provide supports for students who will enter the District. As noted above, I also think that early childhood education should be a priority for the District, and the District’s strategic plan and the Superintendent’s goals should reflect a commitment to partner with community organizations such as the Collaborative for Early Childhood to continue to promote the important work of preparing our children to be successful students.

In your opinion, what is the role of your Board in achieving the goal of assuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, early childhood support, care and education?

I fully support the D97 board continuing the IGA agreement with CEC to provide services, resources and support to our youngest learners, parents and providers.  As a long-standing community organization, CEC provides comprehensive early childhood support to families in our community not easily found in the surrounding areas.  Oak Park and River Forest families need early inventions for developmental screenings, pre-school curriculum exposure and support services for new parents.  I’m glad to see CEC show a commitment to providing equitable services and partnering with providers who demonstrate a commitment to equity, specifically impacting education and health disparities affecting Black and Brown children. 

If elected, would achieving the vision of an integrated and high-quality early childhood system as outlined in the chart below be a priority for you as a policy maker? If yes, then what steps would you propose to further this plan as a priority? If no, then what items do you view as higher priorities and why?

I am in agreement with the vision outlined in the overview.  As a board member, I would follow the recommendations provided to execute the CEC vision, make sure the goals align with D97 goals and look for measurable outcomes.  I would also serve as a CEC advocate within the D97 board, administration and other inter-governmental agencies to ensure the agreements and relationships continue.

In your opinion, what is the role of your Board in achieving the goal of assuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, early childhood support, care and education?

As an educator, I know that the success of my students rests on the array of learning and development experiences they have not only in my classroom but also outside of it, and not only in the year I teach them but also in those leading up to my time with them and in those after I pass them off. A school system like D97 cannot alone orchestrate all of the essential ingredients needed for children and youth to thrive. It must rely on strong partnerships with stakeholders like the Collaborative for Early Childhood that provide essential services to young people and their families.

The D97 School Board plays multiple roles in achieving the stated goal of “assuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, early childhood support, care and education.” The first is simply to recognize itself as part of a larger network of agencies and organizations that are invested in the learning and development of children and youth. Second, the Board has a role in proactively fostering communication, coordination and collaboration with these stakeholders – regularly seeking out their voices and creating opportunities to partner. Third, the Board has a role in monitoring learning and development at critical milestones, including readiness to start school, which allows approaches to teaching and learning as well as other supports to be tailored to individual student needs. Finally, the Board has a role to advance equity. We know that investments in early childhood – a healthy and nurturing birth-to-five, early literacy and numeracy, and social and emotional development – greatly impact the long-term trajectory for all children.

If elected, would achieving the vision of an integrated and high-quality early childhood system as outlined in the chart below be a priority for you as a policy maker? If yes, then what steps would you propose to further this plan as a priority? If no, then what items do you view as higher priorities and why?

As a School Board Member, I would see the Collaborative for Early Chidhood’s vision as a priority as it intersects directly with my own priorities. If elected, I don’t intend to come into the School Board with a deep-seated agenda. Instead, I want to approach the wide array of issues a Board faces through the lenses of equity and inclusion, communication and collaboration, and student-centered education.

Equitable and inclusive access to early childhood services, for both children and their families, is essential to achieving equitable outcomes for students of all backgrounds and abilities. By definition, the Collaborative for Early Childhood represents a partnership that requires working closely together across agencies and organizations and effectively engaging the community in this work, including those children and families who receive early childhood services. The Collaborative for Early Childhood’s combined efforts toward early learning as well as health and positive development lends to a whole child approach that works to put students at the center of these collective efforts.

To advance this plan further as a Board member, in terms of equity and inclusion, I would consider the Collaborative for Early Childhood’s work to provide equitable and inclusive access to early childhood services as an essential part of implementing D97’s equity policy effectively. In terms of communication and collaboration, I would also see the partnership as a way to reach out to and raise up voices in our community that haven’t been empowered to speak up and engage with our school system. And in terms of student-centered education, I would be eager to continuously monitor and assess the impact of this work on the learning and development of our students, especially on those just entering D97, so we can best serve them holistically.

In your opinion, what is the role of your Board in achieving the goal of assuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, early childhood support, care and education?

From my review of the materials provided, in addition to my own research and information provided from other resources, the D97 BOE has been a primary funding source to the Collaboration of Early Childhood Program. While funds are obviously necessary to achieve the goals, the board could seemingly work more closely in a consultation and collaborative manner. As a child and family psychologist, I’ve spent my career working in schools and community mental health agencies. I recognize that a sharing of resources (including intellectual and financial) can often increase accessibility and effectiveness of high-quality programming. One role of the Board is to connect with the community. It is imperative that when any D97 BOE member is engaging with the community they are keeping in mind how all partnerships and intergovernmental collaborations function together.

A BOE member also bears the responsibility of monitoring performance. In order to assure goals are being met, there should be a shared working relationship in the data analysis and integration. From working in community mental health for over a decade, I know that the most efficacious programs are those that elicit community participation. Sometimes this looks like asking the leaders, elders, and respected community members to provide the trainings and supports (and paying these community members helps to invest within). Sometimes this looks like asking the community providers (health care, housing supports, food supports, etc) for their suggestions, supports, and invitation into the community to increase accessibility and promote public service announcements. Sometimes this looks like asking our wealthiest (including human, social, cultural, and financial capital) to give of their talents and wealth to reduce widespread financial burdens.

If elected, would achieving the vision of an integrated and high-quality early childhood system as outlined in the chart below be a priority for you as a policy maker? If yes, then what steps would you propose to further this plan as a priority? If no, then what items do you view as higher priorities and why?

Absolutely. First, prevention, early detection, and early intervention are best practices in ensuring children become healthy, young learners that grow into strong, capable, and wholesome young people, then positive contributors to the community. Working within a consultive and collaborative model allows for greater understanding and efficacy in the individual entities. While it can be more efficient to focus on one specific aspect of our community functioning to ensure depth of knowledge and proficiency of progress, we must also understand the important influences and consequences of the work. Most obviously, all the governing and public service bodies should work collaboratively. This not only includes the schools directly, but also the community mental health/public health, childcare and extra curriculars, and vocational/trade industries for the older youth. I would take steps to include D90, the Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park (and other similar entities in our neighboring communities), and agencies like Hephzibah, PDOP and private childcare providers. Building partnerships with our community leaders in various industries could help bolster our youths’ exposure and access to a variety of resources and supports that they might not otherwise have.

In your opinion, what is the role of your Board in achieving the goal of assuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, early childhood support, care and education?

D200 has stated goals of eliminating the opportunity gap that exists specifically for our students of color and low income. There is clear evidence that this gap starts between ages 0-4 (pre kindergarten). As a BOE, we can and have chosen to invest D200 resources to support the Collaboration and its effort to assure families have such access to early childhood support, and I consider this one of the best investments of our District to address the opportunity gap. There has been limited resistance, but those saying D200 resources should go to D200 faculty as well as those who say the youth being supported might not end up in OPRFHS. I strongly disagree. The Collaboration has proven to be a good steward of our resources in reaching out to those most needy.

If elected, would achieving the vision of an integrated and high-quality early childhood system as outlined in the chart below be a priority for you as a policy maker? If yes, then what steps would you propose to further this plan as a priority? If no, then what items do you view as higher priorities and why?

It has been a priority for my first 2 terms on the D200 School Board, and it would continue in a third. My only criticism of the work of the Collaboration was whether they were spending enough and being bold enough. The Collaboration is being looked upon by people around the nation as a leader in creating a model to address early childhood support, and we are fortunate to be part of it.

In your opinion, what is the role of your Board in achieving the goal of assuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, early childhood support, care and education?

The role of the board is to continue providing assistance and oversight to the Collaboration for Early Childhood. My soon to be 4 year old son benefited from early intervention. At 1 1/2 we noticed that he had speech delay, and our PCP referred us to Oak Leyden. He was obviously smart, but had trouble communicating effectively. He is now thriving and is more than prepared for the next level. These types of programs are very necessary for all children to start out correctly so that they ultimately will be set up for success in high school.

If elected, would achieving the vision of an integrated and high-quality early childhood system as outlined in the chart below be a priority for you as a policy maker? If yes, then what steps would you propose to further this plan as a priority? If no, then what items do you view as higher priorities and why?

Absolutely. There is a lot of discussion surrounding the topic of equity, and that starts at an early age. As a policy maker I believe we must start the process of providing equitable opportunities for success when children are young, not when they arrive in high school. The first step I would take would be to learn more about the vision to understand the proposed plan in its entirety. I would then use my position to advocate for working towards the vision with my colleagues and the community.

In your opinion, what is the role of your Board in achieving the goal of assuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, early childhood support, care and education?

I believe the D200 board has many roles to perform in service of achieving this goal. Among others, the D200 board should: (i) continue to provide financial support for the Collaboration, (ii) remain informed of the Collaboration’s projects, progress, and new initiatives, (iii) seek opportunities for OPRF High School and OPRF students to engage with the Collaboration, whether through volunteer opportunities or formal ventures, (iv) share ideas and provide time, feedback, and other personal support for the Collaboration, including the Collaboration programs that it considers to be important for purposes of helping children prepare for a successful education, (v) take regular opportunities to listen to Collaboration directors, officers, and other stakeholders, and (vi) make inquiries of such individuals about whether D200 might be able to work with, or provide support for, the Collaboration in ways that the D200 board might not have previously contemplated.

If elected, would achieving the vision of an integrated and high-quality early childhood system as outlined in the chart below be a priority for you as a policy maker? If yes, then what steps would you propose to further this plan as a priority? If no, then what items do you view as higher priorities and why?

Yes. I would seek to have D200 board members and members of the OPRF administration meet with Collaboration directors and officers on a regular basis to explore opportunities for OPRF High School and OPRF students to engage directly with existing Collaboration programs and also consider whether other possibilities exist for D200 and the Collaboration to work together. If any opportunities or possibilities arise, I would seek to have the D200 board and the OPRF administration implement them through proper planning, execution, and monitoring.