Children's Institute

We believe that if we choose children, we can change the world

Children’s Institute shapes early childhood policy, secures public investments for early childhood programs and services, and works with school communities to strengthen early learning for children and teaching practices for educators.

Our Work

At Children’s Institute, we work to improve the lives of children from prenatal to grade 5 who experience institutional or systemic barriers to opportunity in Oregon: children from low-income families, children of color, disabled children, dual language learners, and children in rural areas.

Our research, policy and advocacy, learning initiatives, and community partnerships all aim to keep kids healthy and safe and prepare them to be active, engaged learners.

Registration is open for the 2024-2025 Early School Success Academy!

Children’s Institute’s Early School Success Academy is team-based learning experience for educators working to strengthen early learning in their communities, preschool to third grade. District or school teams participate in four virtual sessions between October and March and five coaching sessions scheduled at their convenience.

Why participate? You’ll join a network of educators across Oregon working to strengthen early learning in their school communities. You’ll also get access to rich content, expert thought partnership, coaching, resources, and a membership to our exclusive change library.

Children’s Institute - Early School Success Academy facilitator
Children’s Institute - Classroom Training

The Latest

Talking with Kids About Becoming

Talking with Kids About Becoming

This co-production, in partnership with The Detour at Oregon Humanities, is part of an ongoing series to elevate youth voice. What do kids think about identity and becoming? Tune in to find out!

Events

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See what’s happening at Children’s Institute

We are on Instagram
⭐Giving Tuesday is here!⭐

Our #GivingTuesday goal is to raise $2,025 so we can continue to make Oregon the best place to be a kid in 2025! We need people from every corner of our state, across sectors and communities, to help ensure our children have what they need to thrive—whether it's quality early learning, healthcare, essential services, or family supports. 

Any amount helps us start the new year ready to make an even bigger impact for Oregon's children.

Donate today (link in bio!) and at childinst.org/donate

Thank you! 🧡

#fundraising #community #oregon #portland #rural #choosechildrenchangetheworld
Giving Tuesday is just 4 days away! 📆

We’re so grateful for our community of partners, educators  policymakers, and advocates working together to make Oregon the best place to be a kid. Your support opens up opportunities for our youngest Oregonians—ensuring they have access to quality early learning, healthcare, and family supports.

Here are three actions you can take this Giving Tuesday to help us make an even greater impact in 2025!

🧡 Donate: Help us kickstart the year and reach our goal of $2,025 at childinst.org/donate
📝 Advocate: Sign our petition to support children (link in bio)
📨 Share: Spread the word and invite others to join in (share this post)
Giving Tuesday is one week away! 🗓️
 
We’re filled with gratitude for a community that believes in making Oregon the best place to be a kid. Our connection to partners, policymakers, and advocates across the state makes it possible to create opportunities for our littlest Oregonians 🫶🏾.
 
This Giving Tuesday, our goal is to raise $2,025 so we can continue our impact in 2025. ANY amount helps us kickstart the new year and continue to make sure that all young children and their families can access quality early learning, healthcare, and essential supports.
 
Here are three ways you can support Oregon children on Giving Tuesday:
 
⭐️ Donate: Help us get to $2,025. Donate at childinst.org/donate

⭐️ Advocate: Sign our petition to advocate for young children (link in bio)

⭐️ Share: Send to friends and inspire others to join us for Giving Tuesday
 
#GivingTuesday #Children #Oregon #EarlyChildhood #Advocacy #Gratitude #Community
In the latest episode of The Early Link Podcast, we hear from Nevin Van Manen, the principal at Highland Elementary School in Grants Pass, Oregon, about school culture, community, and what it means to be from Grants Pass, from Oregon, and from the United States.
 
Special thanks to Adam Davis from @oregonhumanities for co-hosting this interview, and to the students and educators we’ve spoken with in Grants Pass in recent months.
 
🎧Listen to this episode at the link in our bio or wherever you stream your podcasts!
 
#EarlyLink #Podcast #Oregon #GrantsPass #Children #EarlyLearning
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Tune in to The Early Link Podcast

The Early Link Podcast highlights national, regional, and local voices working in early childhood education and the nonprofit sector. The podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Rafael Otto, Children’s Institute’s director of communications.

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Subscribe to The Early Link Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Tune In, and Amazon.

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