First of its kind Collaboration Network Launches in East St. Louis!
By: Guy Schingoethe Tue, August 23, 2011
On September 20, SFI’s newest Learning Network covering East St. Louis and St. Clair County launched at the Grand Marais in Frank Holten State Park in East St. Louis, Illinois. The network is the first of its kind as it combines the efforts and goals of both the DHS All Our Kids Early Childhood Networks and SFI Learning Network creating the first AOK / SFI Collaboration Network!
The launch was hosted by the Children’s Home + Aid Resource and Referral Program’s Director Kim Hunt, new AOK / SFI Coordinator Melissa Rumph, and AOK / SFI Parent Engagement Coordinator Kelly Edwards. There were over 100 individuals and dignitaries from the area including the Mayor of East St. Louis, Alvin Parks (pictured on the right), Gina Ruther, Acting Childcare Bureau Chief for DHS, and Raydeane James from the Illinois State Board of Education among others.
Joanne Kelly, Illinois Early Childhood Systems Coordinator, Ounce of Prevention /Illinois Department of Human Services and Kathy Goetz Wolf, Executive Director of SFI welcomed the group and presented on the unique aspects of the collaboration. Letechia Holmes, Parent Engagement Manager from Strengthening Families Illinois also shared her story and presented on SFI parent engagement opportunities that would become more available in the region.
There are 26 community-based networks combined among both projects with a common philosophy of practice and goals making the new collaboration in East St. Louis a perfect fit. AOK focuses on systems building and community strengthening and SFI is more focused on deep work directly with parents and families, while both include and engage the early care and education community. With the opportunity to expand an SFI Learning Network into St. Clair County and the local AOK network needing a new organizational auspice, together AOK, SFI, and Children’s Home + Aid decided to become stronger together!
If you’d like to get connected with the East St. Louis AOK / SFI Collaboration Network .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)or contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Find out more about SFI Learning Networks here.