News EI/ECSE Health and Development Oregon Policy

Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms Support All Children

By Suze Wehr | Feb 15, 2024

The CI Communications team sits down with Liane Chappell, principal at the Hillsboro Early Childhood Center in Hillsboro, Oregon, to talk about Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education. The goal of the Early Childhood Center is to serve kids who have delays and disabilities, and to help them make progress in the areas where they need support. As the 2024 legislative session continues, we want to emphasize the importance of Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education opportunities for children across Oregon.

This image features our podcast guest Liane, who has short grey brown hair and is wearing a black and white checked shirt while sitting in front of the mic to record

News Announcements

We’re Moving!

By Suze Wehr | Feb 8, 2024

The Children’s Institute team is excited to announce our relocation to a new office in the heart of downtown Portland. We’re eager to embrace our new neighborhood and continue to envision a brighter future for Oregon’s kids.

Photo of CI's operations team staff members on Moving Day from our old office.

News Oregon Policy Policy Trends

The 2024 ECC Legislative Agenda

By Suze Wehr | Jan 22, 2024

The 2024 legislative session is almost here! And it is with excitement and determination that we share our Early Childhood Coalition priorities for this year. After a chaotic regular session in 2023, the Oregon Legislature has unfinished business in prioritizing young children prenatal through age 5 in this year’s short session. Providers, families, and early childhood advocates from across Oregon will be calling for urgent investments to support early learning, child care infrastructure, and early childhood health.

This is a turquoise and white graphic announcing the 2024 ECC Legislative Agenda in bold type.

Educators and Workforce News Professional Learning Early School Success Equity

From Vision to Impact: Early School Success in Action

By Aditi Sharma | Jan 3, 2024

As we step into a new year, we are reflecting on the journey of Early School Success (ESS) and how collaboration, partnership, and commitment are creating aligned early learning experiences for children in preschool through fifth grade, across Oregon.

From Vision to Impact: Early School Success in Action

News Child Care Parents and Families Equity

Oregon’s Regional ‘Primeros Pasos’ Brings Together Sectors to Build Child Care for Latino Communities

By CI Guest | Jan 2, 2024

In 2021, Mike McNally embarked on a mission to address needs identified by vineyard stewards in Oregon, focusing on housing and child care. This led to the formation of Primeros Pasos, a consortium aimed at creating best-in-class early childhood education and care for Latina communities in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties. Originally published by EdNC on 12/6/2023.

A woman with brown skin, dark hair in a ponytail, and a teal shirt stands in front of a festive child care wall display.

News

2023 In Review: Our Top Ten Moments

By Suze Wehr | Dec 20, 2023

As 2023 draws to a close, we are celebrating on a high note and want to express our deepest gratitude for everything we accomplished together this year! As champions for children, our collective efforts made a critical impact on Oregon’s early childhood landscape, from individual families to important legislative wins, and internal growth. To recap the past year, we've compiled a list of our favorite moments from 2023.

This is an image of most of the CI Staff gathered and smiling together after a successful 20th Anniversary Luncheon event.

News Educators and Workforce Health and Development Parents and Families Equity

Indigenous Wisdom and Collaborative Care in Early Learning

By Suze Wehr | Nov 30, 2023

In collaboration with Suzie Kuerschner and S.P.I.R.I.T.S., we explore Indigenous innovations in early childhood, culturally-aligned educational services, and the power of Collaborative Circles of Care.

This is a blog header graphic with a yellow background, a photo of a woven basket, and a title "What is a Collaborative Circle of Care?"

News Educators and Workforce Parents and Families

With Gratitude to our Champions for Children

By Kali Thorne Ladd | Oct 27, 2023

Kali Thorne Ladd reflects on the recent Champions for Children - 20 Years of Impact event, which celebrated the past 20 years of Children's Institute's work to make Oregon the best place to be a kid. Thank you to all the champions for children who joined us and if you couldn't make it, read on to see how you can join our movement.

News Announcements

Early Childhood Champion Ron Herndon Honored with the 2023 Alexander Award

By Aditi Sharma | Oct 26, 2023

Children's Institute was honored to present Ron Herndon with the 2023 Alexander Award. Ron exemplifies what it means to be a champion for children. He has spent decades working on behalf of young children and families here in Oregon, and across the nation. We extend heartfelt gratitude to Ron for his unwavering commitment and dedication.

News Community Engagement Educators and Workforce Professional Learning

A Promising Fellowship for CI & the Early Learning Academy

By Suze Wehr | Sep 14, 2023

In 2022-2023, Children’s Institute (CI) worked with Promise Venture Studio to explore how to scale the Early Learning Academy, CI's training platform for strengthening early learning in school districts in Oregon. Through an 18-week Promising Ventures Fellowship, this opportunity supported growth-stage equity-driven ventures focused on making a difference in the lives of children prenatal to age 5, and their families and caregivers.

This is an image of the first presentation slide for the Early Learning Academy pitch with Promise Ventures. It has a red background, blue and white blob designs, and text introducing the early learning academy.