Skip to Main Content

Inside Erikson | May 2021 Newsletter

May, 2021 –

This month holds the promise of warmer weather, blooming flowers, and the gradual return of in-person activities thanks to the state’s vaccination efforts. At Erikson, we’ll be wrapping up our Spring semester and beginning our Summer term, which will remain remote due to the pandemic. An announcement will be made in the coming days sharing plans for the Fall semester.

We are also looking forward to our first-ever virtual Commencement Ceremony for the classes of 2020 and 2021! We can’t wait to celebrate our students’ achievement amongst their family and friends, and of course, alongside (virtually) Erikson’s faculty, staff, and alumni. As another cause for celebration, we’ve recently announced our new Early Learning and Teaching Academy, which you can read more about below.

While the month ahead brings the coveted signs of Spring and new hope, as a nation and an Institute we continue grappling with the tragic deaths of 13-year-old Adam Toledo and 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant, the outcome of Derek Chauvin’s trial and upcoming sentencing for the murder of George Floyd, as well as the fatal shooting last month of Daunte Wright, another Black man killed by a police officer near Minneapolis. We acknowledge that this collective trauma and the systemic injustices that perpetuate it disproportionately impact Black people and People of Color. Erikson remains committed to our staff, students, community partners, and all children and families in seeking a more just, fair, inclusive, and anti-racist world. We remain steadfast in our mission of building communities where children feel safe and their health and emotional well-being is supported.

Keep reading to learn more about our latest announcements and events, and thank you being a committed member of the Erikson community.


Erikson Updates

Commencement Day Of GivingGraduates

In celebration of the extraordinary accomplishments of the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021, Erikson is launching a Commencement Day of Giving on May 10. Join us, as we honor these students’ hard work by making a gift in support of the scholarship funds that support 90% of Erikson students. Make your gift today!


Erikson Announces Early Teaching And Learning Academy

teacher with children in classroom

Erikson is proud to announce a new $6 million gift from an anonymous donor. The gift funds the Early Teaching and Learning Academy, bringing all of Erikson’s Professional Development (PD) expertise under one umbrella to provide a range of high-quality training for teachers and professionals that will improve classroom teaching and student learning.


News For Illinois Parentsinfant hands

Erikson applauds the Pritzker administration, which recently announced that effective April 12, 2021, eligible birthing parents in Illinois with Medicaid will have 12 months of coverage for postpartum care. This initiative, in place through December 2025, aims to reduce the rate of maternal morbidity and mortality in the state by addressing continuity of care.


Multi-State Study Of Family Child Care Decline And Supply

Erikson is pleased to present a new literature review and research-to-policy brief from the Multi-State Study of Family Child Care Decline and Supply. Authors include Erikson researcher Juliet Bromer, PhD, and research associate, Marina Ragonese-Barnes. The literature review advances the knowledge base about the inter-related factors that may contribute to the decreasing numbers of regulated family child care providers in the U.S. and presents a conceptual model to help guide future research and policy. The policy brief highlights recommendations suggested by the literature review. Funded by the Foundation for Child Development, the Multi-State Study of Family Child Care Decline and Supply includes 25 focus groups and 30 interviews with current and former family child care providers about their experiences and challenges offering child care. The literature review and policy brief represent part of a suite of products that will culminate in a final data report later this Spring. Learn more about the Multi-State Study of Family Child Care Decline and Supply here.


Refer-A-Student Program

Erikson’s refer-a-student program offers rewards to Erikson students, staff, faculty, or alumni who refer candidates to our degree or certificate programs. The prospective students referred to Erikson will also have a chance to win prizes, including a waiver of their $200 matriculation fee. Visit refer.erikson.edu to learn more—including FAQs about the program—and submit a referral through our easy-to-use form. Questions?  Contact Marketing and Communications


May 2021 Events

Virtual Information Sessions

Erikson’s Enrollment Management team will host three virtual information sessions in May geared towards prospective students. Learn more about our Leadership and Advocacy concentration on May 13, explore our Child Life Leadership program on May 17, and take a deep dive into our Student Support services on May 19.


Erikson in the News

Erikson Shares Tips For Parents On FOX-TV ChicagoSpeaking with Children About Adam Toledo's Death

Many families across the country are grappling with how to talk with their young children about the death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo. The Associate Director of Erikson’s Center for Children and Families talked with Fox 32 Chicago about strategies parents and caregivers can use to begin this difficult conversation. (Video towards bottom of article). We also remind our community that Erikson provides mental health counseling for children 0-8 in Little Village at our Centro para Niños y Familias. All families are welcome regardless of ability to pay. Call 312-709-0508 or email CCF.

Dr. Alexis Lauricella Interviewed For YouTube Series

Dr. Alexis Lauricella, Director of Erikson’s TEC Center, was a guest on The Healthy Mind YouTube show, and discussed children and technology usage during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stay Connected & Sign Up to Receive Our Monthly Newsletter Now

About Erikson

Erikson Institute EntryGraduate Education

Recognized for our groundbreaking work in the field of early childhood, Erikson specializes in preparing child development, education, and social work leaders to improve the lives of young children, families, and their communities. Find more information on our degree and certificate programs, or email our admissions team.

Clinical And Community Services

As we adapt to these unexpected and challenging times due to COVID-19, Erikson’s Center for Children and Families is offering virtual mental health services to parents, caregivers, and children, as well as crisis counseling and consultation to support first responders and early childcare providers and teachers. Services can be provided in both English and Spanish, and are available to families regardless of their ability to pay.

We have also re-opened our River North clinic for services that require in-person assessments, including Early Intervention Medical and Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Evaluations.

Our Fussy Baby Network, which helps families struggling with their infants’ crying, sleeping, or feeding, has also pivoted to provide more of its services, like home visits, in a virtual environment.

Policy And Leadership

Erikson’s Policy and Leadership department engages leaders in government, business, and nonprofit sectors to inform effective policies that benefit children and families. They offer unique programming that equips decision-makers and influencers with the resources, skills, and deep knowledge about early childhood development that will support their efforts to make lasting change. Learn more about our Policy and Leadership.

Give To Erikson

The first 1,100 days of life set the stage for a child’s long-term physical and emotional health, socioeconomic trajectory, life expectancy, happiness, and well-being. Can we count on you to make a gift to strengthen our ability to serve children and families, as well as our students, faculty, and staff, during this time? Your support for Erikson prepares the heroes in young children’s lives—teachers, social workers, civic leaders, parents and caregivers—to get them safely through this crisis so they can soar into promising futures. Please donate here.

More Ways To Connect

Learn more about Erikson’s Early Math Collaborative and TEC Center.

May Newsletter

Join the Erikson family with monthly news + events updates shared by academics, community members, and families.