Mesa Community College’s Post

SAL Community Services' President & CEO, Marcy Mendenhall, shared about the Illinois Department of Early Childhood Act (IL HB5451) which would consolidate Illinois early childhood services into a single state agency as a means to enhance coordination, efficiency, and effectiveness. Learn more about the importance of this new state level alignment and the impact it will have on local families as we strive to create equitable access to child care in our region. https://lnkd.in/gjVjmHCv

This series of case studies by SchoolHouse Connection highlights programs in Chicago, IL; Fort Worth, TX; and Boston, MA emphasizing early childhood development, family support, and removing barriers to service access. Learn how these initiatives foster family well-being and success through a two-generation approach, integrating home visiting, housing support, and early childhood education and care. Read the case studies: https://ow.ly/ky3M50SCjJy

Here’s what we’ve been working on to center directly impacted youth & their families in our efforts to advance youth justice: https://lnkd.in/eP4e_swE

We're all biased. Whether conscious or not, these biases can prevent us from teaching and supporting children equitably, and they can have a devastating effect on a child's sense of identity and self-worth. Join this thought-provoking webinar with Dr Stella and Hannah👇

What difference does it mean to focus on hope? In this feature story, hear from the voices of Scotland's residential child care community about what hope means to them: https://buff.ly/3SR6SC7

What difference does it mean to focus on hope? In this feature story, hear from the voices of Scotland's residential child care community about what hope means to them: https://buff.ly/3SR6SC7

What difference does it mean to focus on hope? In this feature story, hear from the voices of Scotland's residential child care community about what hope means to them: https://buff.ly/3SR6SC7

"Educated kids make educated decisions." That’s why we partner with schools and our community of caring neighbors like you to help kids to succeed in school and in life.    Watch as Rene Gellerman, our President & CEO, shares with Johnny Marx the thinking behind our United for Schools initiative – to unite community resources and volunteers to help kids early on, to help them unlock brighter futures for themselves.   And, the results speak for themselves. Dive deeper here: https://lnkd.in/gXpwEqV3

Important information to inform policies and professional development around inclusion in California - focus on the how. Administrators want children in more inclusive settings, attitudes are not the key barrier. "Previous research identified attitude as a key barrier to including children with disabilities in classes with same-age peers. In this study, however, child care directors reported being open to placing more children with disabilities in their programs, and school district leaders were committed to providing more inclusive opportunities for preschoolers."

This resource sheds light on an important issue in early childhood policy: although research shows that including children with disabilities in classrooms with same-age peers benefits everyone, only 3% of preschoolers with disabilities in California are in subsidized child care. The study explores barriers to inclusion, drawing on interviews with child care and special education professionals, and offers solutions to improve access and integration for these children. Addressing this gap is crucial for creating more inclusive, supportive early learning environments.