Honoring Children with Dr. Dolores Subia BigFoot

By Rafael Otto | Nov 30, 2022

The Early Link Podcast is back with a new episode! In this segment, our host speaks with Dr. Dolores Subia BigFoot. Dr. BigFoot is a presidential professor in the Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and directs the Indian Country Child Trauma Center where she is recognized for her efforts to bring traditional American Indian practices and beliefs into the formal teaching and instruction of professionals working with Native populations.

Parents and Families Health and Development Podcast

Summer Camps Foster Kids’ Social Development and Peer Connection

By Rafael Otto | Aug 29, 2022

On our latest episode, host Rafael Otto speaks with Dr. Christian Molstrom about the opportunities that summer camps provide for kids, and some of the challenges they may encounter before they attend.

Podcast Oregon Policy Preschool

Portland’s Islamic Preschool Program Offers High-Quality Early Learning, Connects Students to Culture & Community

By Rafael Otto | Jul 11, 2022

On this segment of The Early Link Podcast, host Rafael Otto talks with Jawad Khan, chief programming officer at Muslim Educational Trust and a member of the Trust’s board of directors.

Podcast Preschool

Abogando por Preescolar para Todos con Yasmin Martinez y Bridget Cooke

By Rafael Otto | Jun 29, 2022

En éste podcast, una de las invitadas es Bridget Cooke, la directora ejecutiva de Adelante Mujeres, cuya experiencia incluye trabajar con familias y mujeres inmigrantes y organizaciones sin fines de lucro en Oregon, California y Chile. También estamos acompañados por Yasmin Martinez, una madre que aboga para los niños y las familias de su comunidad, el condado de Washington aquí en Oregon. Ambas están involucradas en el esfuerzo de traer preescolar para todos los niños de tres y cuatro años y están trabajando para llevar este empeño en la boleta electoral este noviembre.

CI Blog_Bridget Cook & Yasmin Martinez (1)

Preschool Parents and Families Podcast

Lacey Hays on the Power of Parent Voice & Advocacy

By Rafael Otto | Jun 29, 2022

On this episode of the Early Link Podcast, host Rafael Otto speaks with Lacey Hays, a parent and advocate in Washington County here in Oregon. She’s currently co-chair for the Early Learning Washington County Steering Committee and a member of both the Preschool for All Technical Advisory Committee and the Organizing and Outreach Committee. All of that work is in support of establishing Preschool for All in Washington County.

Child Care Oregon Policy Podcast Policy Trends

Prioritizing Early Childhood in Oregon: A Discussion with State Rep. Karin Power & Rep. Jack Zika

By Rafael Otto | Jun 22, 2022

In this episode, host Rafael Otto speaks with Oregon state representatives Karin Power (D), representing Milwaukie, Sellwood, and Southeast Portland, and Jack Zika (R), representing Redmond. Power and Zika serve as the chair and vice-chair of the House Committee on...

Parents and Families Podcast Equity

Portland’s Mxm Bloc is Eliminating Barriers for Black Moms & Their Children

By Rafael Otto | Jun 21, 2022

In this segment of The Early Link Podcast, host Rafael Otto speaks with Rashelle Chase-Miller, who is an activist and a mom. She’s authored many articles and works in early childhood curriculum development. She’s also founder of Mxm Bloc, a Black mxm led mutual-aid group that supports Black families, and Reproductive Rights PDX.

Podcast Oregon Policy

Building an Infrastructure for Early Learning & Care with Alyssa Chatterjee

By Rafael Otto | Jun 13, 2022

On this episode we chat with Oregon's Early Learning System director, Alyssa Chatterjee. She is the fifth Early Learning System director and will oversee the transition as the division becomes the Department of Early Learning and Care. Alyssa was among the first employees at the Early Learning Division, when it was formally created. She has served under Governor Kate Brown as deputy education policy advisor and has focused on early learning policy for the state since 2012.

Preschool Podcast

An Update on Preschool for All Multnomah County with Leslee Barnes

By Rafael Otto | Jun 13, 2022

On this segment of The Early Link, we're following up with Leslee Barnes, Director of the Preschool and Early Learning Division at Multnomah County, who gives us an update on the implementation of Preschool for All (PFA) in Multnomah County. Barnes is a fourth-generation Oregonian who grew up in Northeast Portland, and a leading figure working alongside commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson, in the development of Preschool for All which was approved by voters in November 2020.

Podcast Health and Development Parents and Families

A Conversation with Children’s Institute’s CEO, Kali Thorne Ladd

By Rafael Otto | May 26, 2022

In this episode of the Early Link Podcast, we talk to Kali Thorne Ladd, Chief Executive Officer here at Children’s Institute. She has an extensive track record of working in early childhood and is co-founder and executive director of Kairos PDX. As a leader in multiple positions, Thorne Ladd works to transform early learning and healthy development for children and families in Oregon.