The Latest
Prioritizing Early Childhood in Oregon: A Discussion with State Rep. Karin Power & Rep. Jack Zika
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...
Portland’s Mxm Bloc is Eliminating Barriers for Black Moms & Their Children
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.
We’re Harnessing the Power of Moms!
Moms are tenacious. Moms are strong. And most importantly, moms give all they've got to make sure their kids have what they need. We need tenacity and strength from moms in our movement! We know that a brighter future for our state rests on a foundation of love...
Building an Infrastructure for Early Learning & Care with Alyssa Chatterjee
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.
An Update on Preschool for All Multnomah County with Leslee Barnes
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.
A Conversation with Children’s Institute’s CEO, Kali Thorne Ladd
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.
Social-Emotional Health is Key in Student Success
In the latest Early Link Podcast, host Rafael Otto speaks with Rosalie Sumsion.
Sumsion is a reading specialist at McBride Elementary in the St. Helens school district, working with small groups of readers throughout the day. She is also part of the Early School Success Team, a group of teachers working in ...
Legislative Recap: 2022 Short Session Brings Big Wins
The 2022 legislative session came to a close on Friday, March 5, and as we welcome spring and a time of renewal, Children’s Institute is optimistic about the future of early childhood in Oregon.
In the short span of five weeks, the Oregon legislature passed several of the Early Childhood Coalition’s legislative priorities, ...
Home Visits Help Families Stick Together
In this article, parents share their experiences with voluntary home visits and why family support programs are so needed.
Infant Mental Health & Children’s Rights with Dr. Sherri Alderman
On the latest Early Link Podcast, host Rafael Otto speaks with Dr. Sherri Alderman, a developmental behavioral pediatrician. Dr. Alderman is faculty at Portland State University with decades of experience advocating for child rights, working clinically and on...
