2023 in Review: A Year to Remember
What a year we’ve had, or should I say, past 20 YEARS we’ve had, here at Children’s Institute! I am so excited about the work we are doing to improve outcomes for children across Oregon. From innovative policy wins to our largest gathering of early childhood advocates yet, 2023 honored our past two decades while laying the groundwork for exciting future endeavors. With joy and dedication, we aim to center children in everything we do, building relationships and challenging systems to create equitable opportunities for our youngest learners – and we want you to join us. Dive into the Annual Report below to learn more this past year, then get ready to dream with us for the year ahead!
– Kali Thorne Ladd, Chief Executive Officer
Marissa Kaiser, Board Chair
Senior Director of Communications, Casey Family Programs
Here’s to the next 20 Years!
I joined the Children’s Institute Board in 2020 and I’m honored to become chairperson in 2024. My career in philanthropy, nonprofits, and education reform has led me to realize that early childhood investment is like a silver bullet for a strong society – the solution we need for foundational change. Before my board service began, I knew Children’s Institute was making Oregon a great place to be a child. After twenty years, the impact is tangible. We look back with gratitude on a decade of collaborative community transformation with families in Yoncalla. Meanwhile, five years of systems change through Early School Success has brought an early childhood approach to traditional K-12 systems, helping our youngest learners succeed while making the education system more cohesive.
Last year, Children’s Institute celebrated the passage of Oregon’s first-ever child care infrastructure fund. This monumental legislation will expand child care and preschool facilities across the state, giving us the foundation to grow a quality early childhood ecosystem for the NEXT five, ten, and twenty years. We have much work to do, but I’m confident in this team, this leadership, and the vision we have for children thriving across our state. Let us continue transforming society through policy and practice so that every child can reach their full potential.
20 Years of Impact
In 2023, our team celebrated 20 Years of Impact for early childhood in Oregon!
Our Values
Honor
We see children as complete people and value their contributions to the world. We honor all children and families by centering their humanity, respecting their dignity and self-determination, and uplifting community wisdom and voice.
Equity
We center and advance equity in all of our work.
Learning
We embrace multiple ways of knowing and pursue growth and learning through research and our connections with each other, the children and families we serve, and the communities in which we operate.
Innovation
We will be bold, think creatively, and take risks to ensure that we are doing all we can to help children thrive.
Connectedness
We believe children develop and grow in connected communities, so we work to build bridges and deepen our relationships with and in families, communities, and systems to support early learning practices.
Our Values
Honor
We see children as complete people and value their contributions to the world. We honor all children and families by centering their humanity, respecting their dignity and self-determination, and uplifting community wisdom and voice.
Equity
We center and advance equity in all of our work.
Learning
We embrace multiple ways of knowing and pursue growth and learning through research and our connections with each other, the children and families we serve, and the communities in which we operate.
Innovation
We will be bold, think creatively, and take risks to ensure that we are doing all we can to help children thrive.
Connectedness
We believe children develop and grow in connected communities, so we work to build bridges and deepen our relationships with and in families, communities, and systems to support early learning practices.
10 Years of Yoncalla Early Works
Celebrating 10 Years with Yoncalla
The story of Yoncalla is one of transformation through community resilience. A group of parents, families, and educators with a commitment to community driven education regenerated an entire district. In the past decade, family driven early learning, including expanded high-quality, no cost preschool, has grown and evolved into an essential opportunity for children in the community and now serves every 3- and 4-year-old in the district. Today, Yoncalla’s investment in early education creates the foundation for an ecosystem of care for children, families, and future generations.
- Community Needs Assessment focused on Early Learning / Ages 0-5
- Initial community conversation about how to prepare for elementary before age 5
- First Community partner event Sponsored Event: Dr. Suess Night
- Yoncalla Engaged Parents established- a parent group dedicated to supporting teachers, children and families at the elementary level
- School-based preschool launched B4 Early Learning Center collocated at Yoncalla Elementary School
- Regional Health complexities research with PSU began
- Parent Child Playgroups established
- Parent Education Series
- Increased number of families engaged in decision making with school district through community meetings
- Pre-K and kindergarten teachers offer universal home visits
- Health Complexities findings shared Community Health and Needs Assessment shared with community.
- Secured public funding for Pre-K through Preschool Promise. 18 slots funded.
- District invested in P-3 Coordinator for Early Learning Alignment- PreK through 2nd grade
- Aviva Health Clinic opens in region, prioritizing feedback from the CHNA Yoncalla parents and families.
- ECSE classroom co-located in Yoncalla Early Learning Center
- Increased professional development for primary level teachers to support instructional improvements in the areas of: inclusion, early literacy, math, and social emotional learning
- Expanded access to preschool promise – 30 slots funded through state grant
- Yoncalla Engaged Parents expand to include Yoncalla Middle School and High School
- Partnership established between Yoncalla School District and ODHS to serve children and families with complex needs
The story of Yoncalla showcases the remarkable transformation of a community in Oregon. Faced with economic misfortunes and limited support access, the educational environment in Yoncalla encountered significant setbacks in student and teacher success. However, by recognizing the importance of building trusting relationships with families, Yoncalla Elementary witnessed a surge in parent involvement and volunteering, fostering a more inclusive and supportive school environment despite the challenges. By integrating teaching practices from preschool into higher grade levels and embracing trauma-informed and compassionate approaches, students embarked on improved learning journeys, experienced fewer discipline issues, and found increased joy in the classroom. The Yoncalla Engaged People group and booster club also played vital roles in empowering families and addressing community needs. These inspiring efforts by educators, local organizations, and families underscore the enduring benefits of investing in preschool and early education, which positively impact students during their formative years and throughout the rest of their lives. Read Yoncalla Early Works: An Ecosystem of Care and Community to learn more.
5 Years of Early School Success
During the 2022–2023 school year, CI continued our partnerships with Beaverton, Forest Grove, St. Helens, and Lincoln County School Districts. The number of students impacted by this work grew from over 3300 to nearly 4600.
123 educators received direct coaching and facilitation to change their school systems. These 123 educators, in turn, impacted countless other educators within their systems.
Over 100 learning events were held or led collaboratively with educators. These events were virtual or in-person and included small groups, large groups, advisory, and content delivery activities.
We tested 64 change ideas across our school sites, including changes to developmentally appropriate practices, onboarding new staff, trauma-informed environments, and supporting family engagement.
In this video, Erin Lolich, Director of School-Based Initiatives, unpacks the work and role of the SBI team in our programs stationed across Oregon.
Early School Success (ESS) is transforming learning for children from preschool through fifth grade by focusing on instructional alignment in schools and school districts. ESS aims to create seamless, equitable, neuroscience-informed and age-appropriate learning experiences for every child and improve student outcomes across Oregon.
The Early Learning Academy is a team-based learning experience for educators and leaders working to strengthen early learning in their districts. This opportunity is built on 12 years of experience partnering with school districts across Oregon to create and strengthen early learning, fit to local contexts, through our Early Works and Early School Success initiatives.
In 2023, we held our third Early Learning Academy (ELA), which included district teams from Centennial, Columbia Gorge ESD, Eugene 4J, Grants Pass, Gresham-Barlow, Hillsboro, South Lane, Wallowa ESD, Yoncalla. Each ELA cohort participates in three 6-hour learning sessions with an additional five team coaching sessions.
As of April 2024, Children’s Institute has renamed the Early Learning Academy to the Early School Success Academy.
2023 Policy and Advocacy
Despite many unexpected hurdles throughout the legislative session, strong advocacy from Early Childhood Coalition (ECC) partners and other dedicated early childhood advocates made a significant impact on policy outcomes, including:
- HB 3005: Create a child care infrastructure fund (this bill passed and was partially funded)
- HB 2727: Review zoning, building code, and permitting impact on child care
- SB 599: Protect child care providers in rental homes
- HB 2991: Create clear and equitable workforce pathways
- HB 3198: Improve early literacy instruction in preschool through third grade (in 2023) and birth to five (in 2024); fund community-based literacy interventions
And more!
From Policy to Practice
In preparation for the 2023 legislative session, CI identified a key obstacle to improving early learning access: the shortage of compliant facilities. We assembled a diverse group, including providers, leaders in early childhood systems, and business allies, to develop a strategy. During our outreach, we linked up with Wildflower Preschool and Child Care in Myrtle Creek, OR, where owner Rionna Ruley stepped up to meet community needs. As a former home care provider, Rionna recognized the growing demand and decided to transform a former church into a child care center. With support from CI and local legislators, she navigated the legislative landscape, securing $800,000 for renovations and expanding child care access. Recently, a $50,000 grant was awarded for a wonderful new playground, too – a testament to Rionna’s dedication and the impact of our collaborative efforts to help children and families by connecting providers with crucial resources.
1 Year of the Infrastructure Bill!
The passage of HB 3005 in June 2023 created the Child Care Infrastructure Fund, a new, $50 million investment designed to expand child care and preschool facilities across Oregon. This is a key moment for Oregon: a great child care and preschool system needs high-quality facilities for children, families, and early educators. This investment sets the state on the right path, and yet we have more to do. Today, nearly 75 percent of communities in Oregon are child care deserts. Demand for preschool and child care far exceeds the supply. And Oregon is still recovering from the loss of child care supply from the Covid-19 pandemic. As we work to strengthen and expand child care and preschool across the state, and create new, vibrant learning spaces for your youngest learners, we invite you to join us. Learn more below!
2023 Alexander Award
“For more than 50 years, Ron Herndon has been a powerful voice for the Black community in Portland, especially for the needs of children in North and Northeast Portland,” said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. “As a community leader, he has supported essential services for generations of Oregonians – perhaps most importantly through the growth of Albina Head Start – guiding it from an organization that served more than 100 kids to well over 1,000.”
On October 19th, Children’s Institute had the honor of presenting Ron Herndon with the 2023 Alexander Award.
Ron transcends the role of a community leader as a testament to the power of commitment, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of children and families in Oregon and across the nation. Ron’s focus on institutional change promises a brighter, more equitable future for all children.
“Ron Herndon has led transformative change in Oregon for decades with vision, innovation, and a deep commitment to ensure all children, birth to grade 5, and their families have what they need to thrive,” said Kali Thorne Ladd, Children’s Institute’s chief executive officer. “We are all better because of him.
“For more than 50 years, Ron Herndon has been a powerful voice for the Black community in Portland, especially for the needs of children in North and Northeast Portland,” said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. “As a community leader, he has supported essential services for generations of Oregonians – perhaps most importantly through the growth of Albina Head Start – guiding it from an organization that served more than 100 kids to well over 1,000.”
On October 19th, Children’s Institute had the honor of presenting Ron Herndon with the 2023 Alexander Award.
Ron transcends the role of a community leader as a testament to the power of commitment, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of children and families in Oregon and across the nation. Ron’s focus on institutional change promises a brighter, more equitable future for all children.
“Ron Herndon has led transformative change in Oregon for decades with vision, innovation, and a deep commitment to ensure all children, birth to grade 5, and their families have what they need to thrive,” said Kali Thorne Ladd, Children’s Institute’s chief executive officer. “We are all better because of him.
New Faces on CI’s Board of Directors and Staff
Revenue & Expenses
Ways to Support Children’s Institute
We know know you care about young children and families. Turn your caring into action and help us make Oregon the best place to be a kid.
You’re invited on October 25th for our 2024 Champions for Children Luncheon!
Help us spread the word for early childhood advocacy and our work across Oregon – become an ambassador!
