Leadership and Advocates

Advocacy: Organizations that engage in advocacy or provide tips, tools, or resources for others to influence public policy related to early childhood or school-age or youth development.

Early Childhood: Projects or programs that aim to increase the quality, availability, or accessibility of early childhood or school-age programs. Some initiatives are funded with public dollars, some with private dollars, and some reflect a partnership of public and private support.

Federal Government: Federal agencies that provide services or programs for young children, school-age children, youth, and their families.

Parent Support: Organizations that provide services directly to, or in support of, parents or guardians of pre-school-age or school-age children.

Professional Organizations: Organizations that provide services to those who work in early childhood or school-age and youth development programs, including training, information, and advocacy.

Profiles in Leadership: Read profiles of Gateways to Opportunity leaders for examples of career options and paths available in early care and education and school-age and youth development programs in Illinois.

Research Centers: Organizations that host research projects, disseminate research summaries, or provide data resources on early childhood or school-age and youth care topics.

Research Reports:  Publications that address topics related to the provision of early childhood programs, school-age or youth development programs, or topics related to the professional preparation of those who work in early childhood, school-age, or youth programs.

State Government:  State agencies that provide services or programs for young children, school-age children and youth, and their families.

Training Organizations: Groups that provide, sponsor, or coordinate training events and resources for those who work in early childhood, school-age, or youth development programs.