Collaboration for Early Childhood

06/12/2026

New Podcast Alert!! 🚨🏳️‍🌈 Did you know that the Oak Park Public Library has a Rainbow Librarian and that his name is Hal? Tune in to find out more on our recent podcast! https://collab4kids.org/podcast/

06/11/2026

This event is free and will celebrate The Basics Principle: Talk, Sing, Point! Every family will receive a Welcome Wagon bag and an instrument kit to take home. Ms. Alyssa from Dynamic Lynks will lead us through some fun welcoming songs, how to use our instrument kit, and play with a parachute! 🪂 https://collab4kids.org/events/neighbor-play-date-summer-2026/

06/10/2026

Joe reflects on the impactful ways in which teachers engage with children outdoors and on the playground. 🛝🤸

06/10/2026

Apply if:
- you live in Oak Park, River Forest or the surrounding areas
- your family is expecting or you have a child 5 and under: https://collab4kids.org/opportunities/
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Aplíquese si:
- vive en Oak Park, River Forest o sus alrededores
- su familia está esperando un bebé o tiene un niño de 5 años o menos: https://collab4kids.org/es/opportunities/

06/09/2026

Caring for young children, including nurturing their learning and social emotional development, takes heart and skill. Make your donation today to keep our workforce strong and supported. https://collab4kids.org/donate/

06/09/2026

Yes, it's true! We are hosting a play date with Dynamic Lynks at the Forest Preserve District of Cook County's Trailside Museum of Natural History. More info available here: https://collab4kids.org/events/neighbor-play-date-summer-2026/

Our friends at Collaboration for Early Childhood are planning a neighbor play date at Trailside Museum! Meet new people in the community!

06/08/2026

Another first Sunday in June and another great Day in Our Village! All our friends were there including State Representative Camille Y. Lilly, Oak Park Police Department Chief Shatonya Johnson, and Pawfficer Howie!

06/07/2026

From the books we choose, to the materials we place in dramatic play, our perspectives and assumptions are always present. Joe shares a quick exercise we can do to push back against our own biases for more inclusive early learning environments!

06/05/2026

A very important message from our Associate Director, Laura Crawford! https://collab4kids.org/donate/

06/04/2026

We are so proud and honored to be a part of this amazing group of organizations doing vital work in Oak Park. Thank you so much for helping us get that work done, Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township!

CMHB is proud to announce 21 organizations awarded funding to provide mental health, substance use, intellectual/developmental disability, and primary prevention/intervention services for Oak Park residents this year!

Read more about programs funded by CMHB in our FY27 Funding Summary (link below).