Learn how child development contributes to your work.
As a highly influential decision-maker on policies that affect children and families on a local, regional, or state level, the Executive Fellows program uses an anti-racism approach to introduce you to the long-term benefits of quality early childhood experiences and the policy opportunities to improve programs and services for all children and families.
Cross-disciplinary experts benefit from child development knowledge
Are you or do you know an Illinois leader? We accept nominations from a cross-sector of leaders for the Executive Fellows program, and have included legislative officials, state’s attorneys, judges, school board members, superintendents, state agency heads, faith-based leaders, and additional community leaders.
Build knowledge to inform decision-making in your field and improve programs and services for children and families.
This program happens every summer in August and September.
Leaders participate in multi-day sessions in August and September with national experts leading seminars each day on topics such as brain development, relationship attachment theory, toxic stress and trauma, workforce shortages, racial inequities, and more. Staff provide a safe environment that fosters candid discussions as well as ensures the cohort is constructed with distinct and diverse perspectives.
Service Day
Enjoy the opportunity to volunteer at a Chicago home- or center-based early learning program for half of a day.
Assisting early childhood teachers in the classroom helps reinforce the learning objectives and expert presentations delivered over the course of the program. This experience allows insight into early workforce issues such as low wages, staffing shortages and professional development.
Walking in the shoes of an educator changed Pastor Harris’ perspective and his work in the community.
Along with leaders in the legislative, justice, educational, and governmental sectors, Pastor Chris Harris of Bright Star Church spent a day shadowing early educators — and was nothing short of floored by his experience in the program.
Join the Erikson Institute community and discover the difference one person can make.