2024 Annual Report
Choose Children, Change the World: A Year of Growth and Impact
A Message from Kali Thorne Ladd, CEO
What a year it’s been at Children’s Institute! In 2024, we achieved exciting milestones in our mission to make Oregon the best place to be a kid.
- We co-hosted the first Oregon Early Childhood Summit in partnership with Trauma Informed Oregon. The event focused on children’s social-emotional health and supported the expansion of cross-sector partnerships across health and the early childhood system.
- We helped to secure millions of dollars in funding for critical programs like Birth to 5 Literacy, Employment Related Daycare, Early Intervention/Early Special Education, in partnership with Oregon’s Early Childhood Coalition.
- We deepened our relationships with schools across the state, hosting our first Learning Lab and Learning Tour to support educators and strengthen preschool through fifth grade classrooms.
Take a look at our 2024 Annual Report below to see how we made an impact in policy and advocacy, health, education, and research.
As we look to 2025, we are more motivated than ever to continue to choose children and push for a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Because when we choose children, we can change the world.
– Kali Thorne Ladd, Chief Executive Officer
Marissa Kaiser, Board Chair
Senior Director of Communications, Casey Family Programs
Making Strides for Oregon’s Kids
In 2024, I was honored to continue my role as Board Chair for Children’s Institute. Since joining the Board of Directors in 2020, I have seen Children’s Institute make incredible progress for early childhood programs in Oregon. Last year, Children’s Institute reached major milestones, making tangible progress toward ensuring that every child in Oregon has a strong start in life and ongoing supports through the early grades. I am proud to reflect on this work.
Notably, Children’s Institute made strides that focus on the whole child, including health and wellness by hosting the Oregon Early Childhood Summit on social-emotional health in partnership with Trauma-informed Oregon, and working with healthcare partners to support the passage of Oregon’s groundbreaking social-emotional health metric.
Through policy and advocacy, Children’s Institute helped to secure key wins for young children and families. Thanks to strong coalition partnerships, Children’s Institute and Oregon’s Early Childhood Coalition secured funding for programs like Birth to Five Literacy, Employment Related Daycare, and restored funding to Early Intervention services.
In schools, Early School Success partnerships continued to flourish. Children’s Institute hosted its first Learning Lab and Learning Tour, highlighting the power of relationships with school districts to support all teachers and strengthen early learning programs. Through these efforts, Children’s Institute provided direct support to hundreds of K-12 educators and thousands of students across the state.
This momentum inspires us to push further toward a future where every child can succeed in school and in life, starting before they are born. I am so proud to be part of this journey with Children’s Institute’s dedicated staff and leadership, the Board, and the many partners who are all working toward the same goal: building a bright and healthy future for young children, families, and communities across Oregon.
In 2024, Children’s Institute chose children across 4 critical areas: Policy and advocacy, early childhood health, education, and research.
Hover over each image for more!
Policy and Advocacy
Education
Policy and Advocacy
Health
Education
Research
Policy and Advocacy
Policy Wins in 2024
In 2024, Children’s Institute and Oregon’s Early Childhood Coalition (ECC) made great strides forward for young children, despite a short legislative session. By strengthening relationships with state policymakers, ECC partners and early childhood advocates build momentum to move 2024 legislative priorities across the finish line. On the national stage, Children’s Institute met with Oregon Congressional leaders, with an eye on
Policy and advocacy highlights:
Oregon’s Early Childhood Coalition made the most of the 2024 short legislative session, clearing a path for early childhood advocates to make progress for needed early childhood programs and building momentum for 2025.
Who is The Early Childhood Coalition?
Oregon’s Early Childhood Coalition (ECC) is a partnership of more than 50 state and national organizations who advocate at the state legislature to improve outcomes for Oregon’s youngest children and families. Children’s Institute is the backbone organization for the ECC.
Who is The Early Childhood Coalition?
Oregon’s Early Childhood Coalition (ECC) is a partnership of more than 50 state and national organizations who advocate at the state legislature to improve outcomes for Oregon’s youngest children and families. Children’s Institute is the backbone organization for the ECC.
More on Early Childhood Policy
Prioritizing Children is Oregon’s Path to a Brighter Future
The Early Childhood Coalition’s 2024 Legislative Agenda
Oregon Prepares to Fund Early Literacy Efforts
Expanding Early Childhood Health
Bridging Systems for Early Childhood Success
We know that systems work best for children when they align and work together. To create policy solutions for children who experience complex barriers, we must connect early learning and health sectors. This collaboration is essential in building an ecosystem of care for children, families, and caregivers that actually works.
The 2024 Oregon Early Childhood Summit
Children’s Institute remains a leader and convener in bridging the health and early childhood systems. In March 2024, Children’s Institute partnered with Trauma Informed Oregon (TIO) to co-host the Oregon Early Childhood Summit.
Nearly 300 cross-sector partners participated, including over 200 in-person attendees. Participants represented early childhood education, health and behavioral health, special education, advocacy, and philanthropy. Together, they worked to build a shared vision and plan for advancing early childhood social emotional health.
Informing Policy Solutions
Facilitators at the Oregon Early Childhood Summit gathered data from participants’ stories and conversations, and analyzed them to identify barriers and shape future policy recommendations. Eliminating health disparities requires continuous evaluation of medical and social-emotional health systems, as well as centering the lived experiences of underserved groups. Children’s Institute will continue to advocate for resources to build a health system that is sustainable, equitable, and aligned with early childhood health.
Health Policy Leadership
Children’s Institute’s Senior Health Policy Advisor is active in statewide strategic committees and workgroups. These include the Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Health Equity Committee, the OHA Workgroup on the Public Behavioral Workforce, OHA’s Developing Equity Leadership through Training and Action, and the Governor’s Social-Emotional Health Workgroup. This ongoing engagement ensures that Children’s Institute remains a leader in advancing equitable policies that support children’s physical and behavioral health and well-being.
The 2025 Momnibus Package
In 2024, Children’s Institute and Black Futures Initiative for Perinatal Health (BFI) identified maternal-infant health as a priority, working to address health disparities impacting women, especially Black women, during the perinatal period. With support from Early Learning Hubs, community-based organizations, health care providers, school districts, Coordinated Care Organizations, and state partners, CI conducted broad outreach to ensure legislative priorities reflected the needs of families and caregivers. These conversations culminated in Oregon’s 2025 Momnibus, a package of bills focused on improving outcomes for birthing people, introduced by Senator Lisa Reynolds.
Children’s Institute and BFI are educating Oregon legislators and health care leaders on prenatal, birth, and post-birth data, emphasizing the potential impact of the Momnibus package. If key bills pass, CI will collaborate with state agencies and participate on advisory boards to support effective implementation.
More on Early Childhood Health
A Vision for Children at Oregon’s Early Childhood Summit
Children’s Institute co-facilitated the first Oregon Early Childhood Summit in partnership with Trauma Informed Oregon.
Key Findings Report: Oregon’s Early Childhood Summit
Children’s Institute and Trauma Informed Oregon produced a report informed by conversations from people who attended the Oregon Early Childhood Summit in the spring.
Oregon Adopts Early Childhood Social-Emotional Health Metric
Oregon is the first state in the country to adopt the measure, which will make social-emotional health services more accessible for children from birth to age five.
School-Based Initiatives
We launched the Learning Loop, a newsletter for educators!
Discover the latest Early School Success updates, stories of success, upcoming events, exclusive resources from our and more. Be a part of our growing community that is shaping the future of early learning.
Launched in 2019, Early School Success (ESS) is a multi-year initiative that aims to create seamless, equitable, and age-appropriate learning experiences for every child, and improve student outcomes across Oregon. In the 2024-2025 school year, Children’s Institute continued working with existing ESS partners, including Beaverton, Forest Grove, St. Helens, and Lincoln County school districts.
The Early School Success Academy (ESS Academy) is a team-based professional learning experience that provides coaching and support to educators and leaders during the school year. The ESS Academy is built on 12 years of experience partnering with school districts across Oregon to create and strengthen early learning programs, tailored to the community.
The Early School Success Academy (ESS Academy) is a team-based professional learning experience that provides coaching and support to educators and leaders during the school year. The ESS Academy is built on 12 years of experience partnering with school districts across Oregon to create and strengthen early learning programs, tailored to the community.
ESS by the Numbers 2024-2025
In 2024, we partnered with 20 Oregon school districts through Early School Success and the Early School Success Academy.
Through our partnerships with schools and districts we worked with 169 educators from across the state to help them strengthen their classrooms.
Our school partnerships support success in the early grades. Last year, we helped educators support 59,220 Oregon students from preschool to grade 5.
School District Partnerships
Participating Educators
Supported Students
In 2024, we partnered with 20 Oregon school districts through Early School Success and the Early School Success Academy.
School District Partnerships
Through our partnerships with schools and districts we worked with 169 educators from across the state to help them strengthen their classrooms.
Participating Educators
Our school partnerships support success in the early grades. Last year, we helped educators support 59,220 Oregon students from preschool to grade 5.
Supported Students
In addition to returning school districts, we welcomed six new Early School Success Academy partners in 2024-2025!
In addition to returning school districts, we welcomed six new Early School Success Academy partners in 2024-2025!
I appreciate the amazing opportunity to network and learn from each other, team members, and other visionaries across the state of Oregon because we now share a wealth of knowledge and have access to amazing information that will help us move upward!
Educator & Early School Success Participant
I appreciate the amazing opportunity to network and learn from each other, team members, and other visionaries across the state of Oregon because we now share a wealth of knowledge and have access to amazing information that will help us move upward!
Educator & Early School Success Participant
Hear from our ESS Partners
Hear from our ESS Partners
Research | Early Literacy Resources
Early Literacy Resources
When young children develop language skills and learn to read, they are better prepared to engage in learning and feel more empowered. Literacy skills also set children up for greater opportunity in the future.
To support statewide early literacy efforts, like the Early Literacy Success plan Children’s Institute partnered with the Regional Educational Laboratory Northwest (REL NW) to collect existing, readily accessible resources on evidence-based literacy practices, specifically for children ages birth through grade 3.
In 2024, we launched a digital library of early literacy resources and hosted a webinar to elevate early literacy strategies for early childhood providers, educators, families, and policymakers.
Early Literacy Resources
When young children develop language skills and learn to read, they are better prepared to engage in learning and feel more empowered. Literacy skills also set children up for greater opportunity in the future.
To support statewide early literacy efforts, like the Early Literacy Success plan Children’s Institute partnered with the Regional Educational Laboratory Northwest (REL NW) to collect existing, readily accessible resources on evidence-based literacy practices, specifically for children ages birth through grade 3.
In 2024, we launched a digital library of early literacy resources and hosted a webinar to elevate early literacy strategies for early childhood providers, educators, families, and policymakers.
Champions for Children Luncheon
Children’s Institute hosted the second annual Champions for Children Luncheon at the Portland Art Museum on October 25, 2024.
The event explored Children’s Institute’s work in transforming systems, announced the 2024 Alexander Award, and honored the power of partnership and collaboration as we strive to make Oregon the best place to be a kid.
We were thrilled to welcome more than 450 guests including statewide partners, elected officials, educators, and community members, to celebrate shared values and stand together to choose children and change the world!.
Children’s Institute hosted the second annual Champions for Children Luncheon at the Portland Art Museum on October 25, 2024.
The event explored Children’s Institute’s work in transforming systems, announced the 2024 Alexander Award, and honored the power of partnership and collaboration as we strive to make Oregon the best place to be a kid.
We were thrilled to welcome more than 450 guests including statewide partners, elected officials, educators, and community members, to celebrate shared values and stand together to choose children and change the world!.
2024 Alexander Award
Children’s Institute was proud to award Duncan Campbell, founder of Children’s Institute, with the 2024 Alexander Award for his lifelong commitment to improving the lives of children in Oregon and beyond.
Duncan’s passion for helping kids comes from his own experience growing up in Portland. This personal connection has inspired him to create four influential organizations, including Friends of the Children and Children’s Institute.
Duncan’s founding of Children’s Institute reflects his steadfast belief that we must focus on changing the systems that influence early childhood education, health, and family support so that every child can have a strong start in life.
Save the Date: Champions for Children will return October 30, 2025! Learn more
New Faces on Children’s Institute Staff and Board
Lisa Naito
Board Member
Lisa Naito (she/her) is a longtime champion for children. She is a former elected official, deputy district attorney, and has served on committees and commissions focused on supporting children and families. She is a former Metro Councilor and Multnomah County commissioner. Lisa is still active politically and in caring for her grandchildren, gardening, traveling and cooking for family and friends.
Emily Gilliland
Chief Operating Officer
Emily Gilliland (she/her) joined Children’s Institute in July 2024. Emily has extensive experience building and managing strong, high impact organizations at the local, state and national levels. Emily is a two-time AmeriCorps alum and has served more than nine years between two state commissions on service and volunteerism, including serving as the Chair of the Oregon Commission for Voluntary Action and Service.
Rashid Aziz
Research Associate
Rashid Aziz (he/him) is a dedicated education and sustainability professional with experience in education policy, program evaluation, and research design. As a Research Associate at Children’s Institute, Rashid supports data-driven initiatives that inform early childhood policies and programs, helping improve equitable learning outcomes for children across Oregon.
Maura Stine
Engagement Coordinator
Maura Stine (she/her) joined the Children’s Institute team in August 2024 as the Engagement Coordinator. With a strong background in non-profit fundraising for youth-serving organizations, she looks forward to growing community support and make Oregon the best place to be a kid. Maura enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching colelge basketball, working on puzzles, and exploring new parts of Oregon.
Jessica Long
Project Impact Manager
Jessica Long joined Children’s Institute in June 2024 as the Project Impact manager. She is most fulfilled when she has an opportunity to bring her superpowers of big picture thinking, deep empathy, and business logic to teams that make a difference in the world. From her beginnings in public health and education to her current work with enterprise and non-profit organizations, Jessica has always been driven to bring people together around shared purpose and find creative ways to put that purpose into action.
Victoria Fogle
Finance Assistant
Jessica Long joined Children’s Institute in June 2024 as the Project Impact manager. She is most fulfilled when she has an opportunity to bring her superpowers of big picture thinking, deep empathy, and business logic to teams that make a difference in the world. From her beginnings in public health and education to her current work with enterprise and non-profit organizations, Jessica has always been driven to bring people together around shared purpose and find creative ways to put that purpose into action.
Shawnté Hines
Professional Learning Specialist
After over a decade teaching high school students in both California and Oregon, Shawnté wanted to find ways to help shift the system to be more inclusive and welcoming for her students. This led to her work with 9th grade on track initiatives in Oregon, leveraging continuous improvement to co-create culturally relevant opportunities for students to thrive. At the heart of her desire to do this work is a dedication to redress practices that have harmed our most vulnerable students, creating more inclusive classrooms where all children feel like they belong.
Lisa Naito
Board Member
Lisa Naito (she/her) is a longtime champion for children. She is a former elected official, deputy district attorney, and has served on committees and commissions focused on supporting children and families. She is a former Metro Councilor and Multnomah County commissioner. Lisa is still active politically and in caring for her grandchildren, gardening, traveling and cooking for family and friends.
Emily Gilliland
Chief Operating Officer
Emily Gilliland (she/her) joined Children’s Institute in July 2024. Emily has extensive experience building and managing strong, high impact organizations at the local, state and national levels. Emily is a two-time AmeriCorps alum and has served more than nine years between two state commissions on service and volunteerism, including serving as the Chair of the Oregon Commission for Voluntary Action and Service.
Rashid Aziz
Research Associate
Rashid Aziz (he/him) is a dedicated education and sustainability professional with experience in education policy, program evaluation, and research design. As a Research Associate at Children’s Institute, Rashid supports data-driven initiatives that inform early childhood policies and programs, helping improve equitable learning outcomes for children across Oregon.
Maura Stine
Engagement Coordinator
Maura Stine (she/her) joined the Children’s Institute team in August 2024 as the Engagement Coordinator. With a strong background in non-profit fundraising for youth-serving organizations, she looks forward to growing community support and make Oregon the best place to be a kid. Maura enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching colelge basketball, working on puzzles, and exploring new parts of Oregon.
Jessica Long
Project Impact Manager
Jessica Long joined Children’s Institute in June 2024 as the Project Impact manager. She is most fulfilled when she has an opportunity to bring her superpowers of big picture thinking, deep empathy, and business logic to teams that make a difference in the world. From her beginnings in public health and education to her current work with enterprise and non-profit organizations, Jessica has always been driven to bring people together around shared purpose and find creative ways to put that purpose into action.
Victoria Fogle
Finance Assistant
Victoria Fogle joined Children’s Institute in February 2025 as a Part-Time Finance Assistant. Additionally, Victoria also works closely with children as a preschool substitute teacher and is a literacy advocate as a Consultant for PaperPie children’s books. She currently volunteers in the Beaverton School District, at her children’s school, as a member of the PTO Board and throughout the school as needed. In her free time, Victoria enjoys being outdoors, reading, doing puzzles, crafting with her kids, exercising, and travelling!
Shawnté Hines
Professional Learning Specialist
After over a decade teaching high school students in both California and Oregon, Shawnté wanted to find ways to help shift the system to be more inclusive and welcoming for her students. This led to her work with 9th grade on track initiatives in Oregon, leveraging continuous improvement to co-create culturally relevant opportunities for students to thrive. At the heart of her desire to do this work is a dedication to redress practices that have harmed our most vulnerable students, creating more inclusive classrooms where all children feel like they belong.
2024 Revenue and 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 to the third annual Champions for Children Luncheon on October 30, 2025 at the Portland Art Museum.
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