Childcare Collaborative: Birth to Five | Create Equitable Childhood Care and Education System in Illinois

Childcare Collaborative is a business growth-oriented program presenting relevant topics for childcare providers at all stages of the business lifecycle. Offered on the 4th Wednesday of each month, Collaborative delivers expert led training and resources, industry trends, peer networking opportunities and an on-going partnership supporting participants’ business goals.

Join us to learn how Birth to five Illinois is reimagining a more equitable Early Childhood Education and Care system that ensures family and community voices are centered and prioritized at every decision-making level. Birth to Five Illinois is organizing 39 statewide Birth to Five Action Councils and Birth to Five Family Councils with the goals of:

• Providing a statewide mechanism to engage local stakeholders

• Gathering family opinion

• Creating a strategic plan that clearly identifies the need for expansion of quality early learning in every region

• Enabling local residents to come together and address the early childhood needs within their own communities

Learn why joining these efforts is so important, to provide direction and vision. Help identify and address the early childhood needs in your community.

Sharkisha Jones (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 24. She has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for 20 years. Sharkisha is the founder and owner of a nonprofit organization that assists young children with bridging learning gaps in reading, writing, and math. In the last five years, she has consulted with many early childhood educators and child care centers on curriculum development and best practices in the classroom.

Sharkisha holds a master’s degree in Education specializing in Early Childhood Administration from National Louis University. As a lifelong learner and advocate for children and families, she intends to complete a doctoral degree in Community Psychology. Sharkisha currently resides in Kendall County and looks forward to the continued advocacy of both the families she serves and the early childhood field as a whole. She loves cooking, coordinating events, and reading.