Early Childhood Research Alliance of Chicago
Early Childhood Research Alliance of Chicago (EC-REACH) aims to transform the way we conduct early childhood research and evaluation across the city by bringing diverse partners and collaborators together and centering community voice.
EC-REACH WILL:
1. CONVENE
diverse partners and collaborators to co-create a meaningful and
actionable early childhood research agenda that unites Chicago’s research and evaluation initiatives across sectors, agencies, and institutions and aligns to state-wide efforts.
2. CATALYZE
and support robust research-practice partnerships that produce
research and evaluation that is relevant, timely, and useful for enhancing early childhood systems, policies, and programs.
3. COMMUNICATE
holistic research and evaluation findings with Chicago
policymakers, program leaders, and community members in an accessible and transparent manner.
History
In support of the Every Child Ready Chicago initiative, Start Early began to explore the nascent concept of a Chicago early childhood research consortium or alliance in fall 2020, and published their findings in an Exploratory Report released in March 2021. EC-REACH has now moved into a planning phase (through summer 2022) led by a citywide planning committee comprised of 14 Chicago-based individuals with diverse research, policy, and practice expertise. Staffed by Start Early and facilitated by CoSpero Consulting, the planning committee will set a strong foundation for EC-REACH by:
- Determining the mission, vision, structure, governance, and sustainability model;
- Guiding the engagement of a broader group stakeholders and advisors; and
- Identifying a home institution and initial funding sources to support the launch of EC-REACH.
You can learn more about the exploratory process and pathway to launch EC-REACH via the EC-REACH Video Overview and PDF Overview.
Planning & Launch Committee Updates
This site aims to bring transparency to each step of the EC-REACH planning process by sharing meeting minutes, key materials, and other relevant planning committee updates.
Stay up-to-date on EC-REACH by downloading Planning Committee minutes below:
3/11/22 Retreat Notes
Planning Committee Letter of Commitment
Retreat Hot Air Balloon Activity
Retreat Sucess/Failures Activity
3/24/22 Meeting #1: Mission, Vision, Values, Decision-Making Process & Structure, Working Bodies
Meeting 1 Deck
Meeting 1 Minutes
3/29/22 Meeting #2: Research Values & Criteria, Home Institution Criteria, Data Access Principles
4/14/22 Meeting #3: External Engagement Strategy, Transition Planning
Meeting 3 Deck
Meeting 3 Minutes
4/28/22 Meeting #4: Fundraising Strategy
Meeting 4 Deck
Meeting 4 Minutes
Home Institution Letter of Inquiry
5/12/22 Meeting #5: Equitable Research Values, Criteria; Data Access and Sharing Approach
5/26/22 Meeting #6: Fundraising Strategy & Transition Plan
Meeting 6 Deck
Meeting 6 Minutes
10/8/22 Meeting #7: Close-out Meeting
Interested in learning more or helping EC-REACH on its pathway to launch? Contact Isabel Farrar, ifarrar@startearly.org.
Meet the EC-REACH Planning & Launch Committees
Nataly Barrera, Acting Director of Early Learning, Mayor’s Office
Cerathel Burgess-Burnett, Deputy Commissioner, Children Services Division, Department of Family and Support Services
Chris Chavez, Data Strategist, Chicago Public Schools
Dionne Dobbins, Vice President, Research & Evaluation
John Easton, Senior Fellow, UChicago Consortium on School Research
Jon Furr, Executive Director, Education Systems Center at NIU
Craig Maki, Chief Strategy Officer, Provisio Partners; Former CEO, Asian Human Services, Inc.
Remsha Shah, Associate Professor, Director of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Samantha Melvin, Assistant Research Professor, Erikson Institute
Edgar Ramirez, President and CEO, Chicago Commons Association
Terri Sabol, Assistant Professor Northwestern
Diane Schanzenbach, Professor, Northwestern University
Jennifer Vidis, Chicago Department of Public Health
With support from key advisors: Meg Bates, Anna Colaner, and Kate Tarrant
Exploration and planning for EC-REACH is made possible by generous support from: