Part of the 21st Century Agenda: Transformative Research and Practice in Community Collaboration webinar series

Thursday, August 29
12- 1:30 PM CT

There is an important policy conundrum in the early care and education field: How do we create an equitable, affordable, high-quality childcare system that serves the needs of working parents/caregivers, their children, and the childcare workforce?  In the U.S., where the market is largely private, providers must charge prices that are too high for most working parents but too low to sustain quality programming for children and good jobs for childcare providers. Public investment is crucial to resolving this paradox, but the allocation of funds – how, to whom, and for what purposes – also requires careful consideration.  This webinar will (1) explore key forces that contribute to this policy paradox and (2) share innovative policy strategies to overcome it. We will share findings from federally funded collaborative projects underway in Illinois, involving university researchers, state policy administrators, and policy practitioners in community-based organizations. The webinar will also be an opportunity to discuss the strengths and challenges of research-policy partnerships aimed at achieving evidence-based, equitable policies that increase access to high-quality, affordable childcare for families with diverse needs and circumstances.

Featured Speakers:

• Julia R. Henly, Samuel Deutsch Professor and Deputy Dean for Research and Faculty Development, University of Chicago
• David Alexander, Director of Research, Illinois Action for Children
• Theresa Hawley, Executive Director, Center for Early Learning Funding Equity
• Sinthu Ramalingam, Senior Policy Advisor, Division of Early Childhood, Illinois Department of Human Services
• Moderated by Peter J. Pecora, Professor, University of Washington School of Social Work

Don’t miss the upcoming sessions in this series!

• September 11: Building A Community-Driven Pathway to Prosperity: Weaving the Wisdom and Resources of Community and Academic Partners to Foster Early Life Abundance
  12- 1:30 PM, Dr. Trina Williams Shanks co-presenting with community partners
• September 26: Engaging Fathers and Co-Parents Together in Home Visiting and Fatherhood Services
  12- 1:30 PM, Dr. Jenn Bellamy co-presenting with community partners
  AND
  Fathering Through the Pain: Healing the Wounded
  12- 1:30 PM, Dr. Waldo Johnson, Jr. co-presenting with community partners
• October 10: Developing the Workforce for a Reimagined Child Welfare System
  12- 1:30 PM Dr. Diane DePanfilis co-presenting with community partners
• October 23: Behind the Scenes in Home Visitation Research
  12- 1:30 PM Dr. Craig Winston LeCroy co-presenting with community partners
• November 7: Building the Capacity to Conduct Equitable Research
  12- 1:30 PM Dr. Jessica Elm co-presenting with community partners

This webinar series is hosted by the American Academy for Social Work & Social Welfare with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Casey Family Programs, Clark-Fox Policy Institute, and William T. Grant Foundation.