Committees
Through committee meetings, we build our capacity and exchange ideas. We also get help with moving work forward, and bringing ideas to life. Committee meetings help make our work transparent and support collective ownership and input around our resources and initiatives. All committee members are volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved in any one of our committees, contact us.
Publicly-Funded Preschool Committee
The Collaboration leads a committee composed of the directors of the public preschool programs to coordinate outreach and make sure families that qualify are aware of this affordable preschool option. The group has developed common recruitment materials and works together to assure proper program placement of children. The committee has identified and used multiple methods for outreach including word-of-mouth campaigns, participation in community outreach activities and a formal referral process with more than 25 social service agencies in Oak Park.
Professional Development Committee
The Professional Development Committee, more frequently called the PD Committee, provides guidance to and oversight of all professional development activities, including the Annual Symposium, that promote a highly qualified and effective early childhood workforce in the Oak Park and River Forest area.
The Parenting Resource Program Committee
The Collaboration’s Parenting Resource Program Committee connects families with early childhood information, events, resources and parenting workshops. Learn more about the variety of activities they coordinate on by visiting the Parenting Resource Program page. The Parenting Resource Program Committee Partners include: River Forest Public Library, Forest Park Public Library, The Park District, Easterseals Partnering with Parents, New Moms, Oak Leyden, Oak Park Public Library, Wonder Works Children’s Museum, Welcome to Fatherhood, The Day Nursery, First United Nursery School, and Families First.
The Parenting Resource Program Committee is facilitated by Michelle, our Family Engagement Partnership Coordinator. She also coordinates the Home Visiting Task Force, which you can learn more about on our Coordinated Intake page.
Health and Development Committee
The Health and Development Committee meets every other month and discusses topics related to early childhood health and development. The goal of the committee is to exchange ideas and spread awareness of early childhood supports and resources to health professionals. The Health and Development Committee is facilitated by Shannon, our Manager of Health and Development. She also leads the Physicians’ Network events that occur twice a year in the fall and spring.
Community Engagement Committee
The Community Engagement Committee is the Collaboration’s newest committee. It works on efforts to bring the importance of early childhood health and education to a broader audience through cultivation, awareness building, and public events.
Measurement and Evaluation Committee
The Measurement and Research Committee provides guidance to, and oversight of, data collection, database development, data analysis and research activities of the Collaboration. The committee works closely with Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago. This committee is facilitated by Laura, our Associate Director.
Interested in Joining a Committee?
We welcome all members of the community. Please fill out the form below and check the first box under “I Am Reaching Out About…”.
