Inside Erikson | October 2024
a monthly comm(unity) newsletter
October 2024 – Welcome to the October edition of the Inside Erikson newsletter!
October is filled with a lot of important cultural and historical celebrations such as Hispanic Heritage Month, Indigenous People’s Day and LGBTQIA+ History Month. As we reflect on our past, we must also work to create a more just and equitable future for children and families. On September 24, Erikson co-hosted “Nurturing and Strengthening the Early Childhood Workforce,” a special event with the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) featuring discussions with researchers, policy makers and thought leaders to explore the latest opportunities and developments impacting the early childhood workforce. We are beyond grateful to our panelists (Juliet Bromer, LaTonya Jones, Catherine (Cathy) Main, Bela Moté and Sandra Lucia Osorio), moderator (Teresa Ramos) and speakers (Mariana Souto-Manning and Angela Green) for a truly inspirational event. Please read more about these amazing professionals here.
Erikson Updates
Erikson Institute’s 2024 Annual Luncheon
Tickets are now on sale for Erikson Institute’s 2024 Luncheon. Join WTTW anchor and journalist Brandis Friedman as she moderates a discussion with Dr. Thomas Insel, a renowned psychiatrist and neuroscientist, and Ashley Judd, an acclaimed actress and global advocate for mental health. Together, they will explore promoting mental well-being and building a more compassionate and inclusive society for everyone.
Keep up to date on Erikson’s Academic programs
Erikson’s academic programs are unique and evolving. Read the latest about our Master of Social Work (MSW) program in this new blog featuring Assistant Professor Francisco J. Lozorino and Senior Instructor/Interim MSW Program Director Maggie Brett. Know someone interested in exploring the field of social work? Encourage them to learn more at our upcoming virtual information session on October 9.
“Racial Justice in Early Math: Engaging Families and Communities” webinar
Join Erikson’ Racial Justice in Early Math (RJEM) team for their upcoming webinar “Racial Justice in Early Math: Engaging Families and Communities” to learn how to develop rich collaborations with caregivers and community members. Hosted by the RJEM project on October 23, this webinar will feature an insightful conversation with Maile Hadley (5 First FUNdamentals) and Dr. Gigliana Melzi (New York University) to highlight educational practices that honor racial identities, funds of knowledge, and multiple mathematics practices.
Reconstructing Narratives Workshop Series
Explore how data and language can address the root cause of structural racism and other systemic injustices. Join Erikson’s Policy and Leadership team as they explore fresh perspectives while encouraging attendees to re-examine and advance beyond established practices. Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the conversation, these workshops offer a safe, inclusive space to grow, learn, and contribute to a more equitable world.
Careers at Erikson
We’re hiring for a variety of roles that support our mission. Please check out new opportunities and share widely with your networks.
Faculty Spotlight
Jie-Qi Chen receives prestigious Fulbright Specialist Program award
Congratulations to Barbara T. Bowman Professor, Jie-Qi Chen, who was recently awarded the a prestigious Fulbright Specialist Program award! The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to build lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. This winter, Jie-Qi will spend 40 days from December 2024 to January 2025 in Kenya to complete a project at Stadi za Maisha Educational Trust that aims to exchange knowledge and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions and communities both in the U.S. and overseas through a variety of educational and training activities within education. Learn more about Jie-Qi’s recent accomplishment here
Infant Mental Health in Early Intervention: The Role of Reflection
Erikson professors Linda Gilkerson and Sarah Martinez recently co-presented with Susan Connor, the Director of Illinois Early Intervention Training at the Division for Early Childhood’s 40th Annual International Conference on Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families. Their presentation, Infant Mental Health in Early Intervention: The Role of Reflection, focused on the role of infant mental health in early intervention, emphasizing reflection as a tool for culturally informed, equitable practice.
About Erikson
Graduate 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. For more information on our degree and certificate programs, visit our website or email our admissions team.
Clinical and Community Services
Erikson’s Center for Children and Families offers pediatric mental health services for children birth to age 8 and their families. Services can be provided in both English and Spanish, and are available to families regardless of their ability to pay.
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 1,800 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.
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Create a Better Future For Children While Building Yours
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