Equity from the Start: Taking Action, Shifting Power

The theme of this year’s Partner Plan Act conference is Equity from the Start: Taking Action, Shifting Power. Over the past few years, we have explored why we should center race in community systems development conversations and last year, we reimagined what the system could look like. This year, we hope to show how we can shift power in our sector to the on-the-grounds providers, community members, parents, and families, especially those who have been historically left out of these conversations. To help us launch our conference, Chicago-based sociologist of education, Dr. Eve L. Ewing, will join CS3 Director Grace Araya for a fireside chat. During this conversation, we will hear how we can shift power back to communities and ensure our system is responsive to children, parents, families, and providers. The conference will close with a keynote address from Dr. Dana Crawford. Dr. Crawford is a pediatric and clinical psychologist who developed the Crawford Bias Reduction Theory & Training (CBRT), a systematic approach to reducing bias, prejudice, and racism. In addition, this year's conference includes breakout sessions highlighting work across Illinois, an all parent panel, and two stories from parents who went through an 8-week storytelling workshop through Second Story.