Erikson’s Juliet Bromer and Barbara Bowman Leadership Fellow Julissa Cruz in Sun-Times Head Start Article

We’re proud to share that Erikson Institute’s influence in the field of early childhood education is front and center in a recent Chicago Sun-Times feature on the future of Head Start and the vital role of home-based child care providers.

The article highlights the tireless work of Patricia Anaya, a Head Start provider on Chicago’s Southwest Side, and includes insight from two powerful voices in the Erikson community: Dr. Juliet Bromer and Julissa Cruz, a Barbara Bowman Leadership Fellow.

Dr. Bromer, a highly recognized expert on home-based child care, offers important context on why support systems like Head Start are essential to maintaining quality care in family child care settings. Drawing on her vast research, Dr. Bromer explains how support systems can significantly enhance the quality of care offered in home-based environments, and provide important support for children and families.

Julissa Cruz emphasizes the importance of whole-child and whole-family support to demonstrate how Head Start extends far beyond traditional child care. As a Barbara Bowman Leadership Fellow, Julissa exemplifies Erikson’s commitment to preparing leaders who can speak to both policy and practice, especially in under-resourced communities.

We’re honored to see Erikson voices leading this critical conversation, and we celebrate both Juliet and Julissa for the clarity, compassion, and vision they bring to the field. Their presence in this article is more than just recognition. It’s a reflection of Erikson’s enduring mission to elevate the voices of those who champion equality in early childhood education.

Read the full article here