Get on the Early Childhood Bus

Episode 9: 2025 ECLA Summit

In this episode, we take you inside the 2025 ECLA Summit, where early childhood leaders gathered to confront the troubling rise in Black youth suicidality. Featuring powerful insights from advocate Tandra Rutledge, along with reflections from Erikson’s Policy & Leadership staff and ECLA fellows, this episode explores how early childhood professionals can “find the baby” in urgent community issues and lead lasting, transformative change across sectors. Show Notes:  * ECLA Webpage [https://www.erikson.edu/academics/professional-development/policy-executive-leadership-programs/ ] * Tandra Rutledge  * LinkdeIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tandra-rutledge/] * Board of Directors [https://communitycare.sistaafya.com/board-of-directors ] * Supportive Mental Health Resources  * Suicide Among Illinois Youth [https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/publications/idph/topics-and-services/prevention-wellness/suicide-prevention/youth-suicide-infographic-2024.pdf]  * Issue Brief: Black Youth Suicide Prevention [https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/black-youth-suicide-prevention-pep24-01-034.pdf]  * Suicidal Behavior Among Illinois Youth LGBTQ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/publications/idph/topics-and-services/prevention-wellness/suicide-prevention/lgbtq-youth-suicide-infographic-11122024.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwizw8bz1quMAxVHC3kGHV3bLeQQFnoECBQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2YvVbTZklzPyGEsPSqxFKX]  * Black Caucus’ Sounding the Alarm Report [https://theactionalliance.org/resource/ring-alarm-crisis-black-youth-suicide-america ] * Birth to Five Regional Reports  [https://www.birthtofiveil.com/reports/ ] * Food Security Episode  * Finding the Baby: Food Justice, Part 1 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/71390?client_source=large_player&iframe=true&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzsprout.com%2F71390%2Fpodcast%2Fembed]  * Finding the Baby: Food Justice, Part 2 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/71390?client_source=large_player&iframe=true&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzsprout.com%2F71390%2Fpodcast%2Fembed]

Episode 8: Finding the Baby: Food Justice, Part 2

Erikson’s Policy and Leadership staff, Atena Danner and Penny Smith, continue unpacking a conversation with Chef Greg Christian of Beyond Green Partners, an organization making fresh food for preschool students in Chicago and its suburbs. Families often do not have access to healthy, fresh foods in their communities, leaving them fewer choices for their dinner table. Examining the flaws of food distribution systems and the policies of food supplement programs is needed to increase access. Show Notes: Erikson’s Food Security Call to Action contains opportunities to advocate for policies on food security issues as well as funding opportunities to introduce health foods to children: Food Security Call to Action.pdf [https://erikson.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/PolicyandLeadership/EfyeuLLxtFNNv1UXgCLywKUBwFX8f99zTpDnra-MrIHNdA?e=zNEn4S]. Learn more about Chef Greg's organization, Beyond Green Partners [https://beyondgreenpartners.com/].

Episode 7: Finding the Baby: Food Justice, Part 1

Erikson’s Policy and Leadership staff, Atena Danner and Penny Smith, talk about food security and ensuring children get quality and fresh foods, but also food that connects with their different cultures. They respond to an interview with Chef Greg Christian of Beyond Green Partners, an organization making fresh food for preschool students in Chicago and its suburbs, who explains the need to teach children the relationship between food and health. Show Notes: Learn more about Chef Greg's organization, Beyond Green Partners [https://beyondgreenpartners.com/], and watch the "Grow Food" video [https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxiROjlIwNG6m_a7K3ftBFf15mxDJ1waT9] created by youth from Appetite For Change's Summer 2016 Youth Employment & Training Program.

Episode 6: Special Edition - Healthcare Denied. Overturning Roe v. Wade

Who suffers the consequences as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade? Erikson Institute’s  Atena Danner and Verónica Cortez break down the racial inequities, the policy implications, and other domino effects of how babies and their families are impacted. For more information on how Roe v Wade affects laws in your state, visit https://reproductiverights.org/maps/abortion-laws-by-state/. [https://reproductiverights.org/maps/abortion-laws-by-state/] To view data on maternal morbidity rates in Illinois, visit https://riskandreach.erikson.edu/ [https://riskandreach.erikson.edu/].

Episode 5: Special Edition - Mass Shooting, Trauma and the Black Community

Illinois State Representative Sonya Harper and early childhood advocate and specialist at Chicago Public Schools, Jennifer Alexander talk about an incident where it appears Englewood, a Black community in Chicago, was the intended target for a mass shooting. The two alum from Erikson’s Early Childhood Leadership Academy talk about addressing trauma and gun violence in communities. For more details on the incident, please visit these news story links on the Chicago Sun-Times [https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2022/8/6/23294969/ar-15-ammunition-englewood-park-mass-shooting-notes-podgorny] and Fox 32 Chicago [https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/woodridge-man-fired-shots-into-chicago-park-police-find-handwritten-notes-about-mass-shootings-in-vehicle] websites.