Community Systems Development and Family and Community Engagement

Community System Development and Family and Community Engagement Programs

We believe in building strong families and powerful communities where children matter most. Critical to achieving this vision is providing authentic family and community engagement and improving community systems development efforts in communities across Illinois.  We are leading experts in building the capacity of organizations, schools, and community collaborations to implement authentic family and community engagement, advance racial equity, and achieve systems change through community systems development.

Family Engagement

North Lawndale Community Connections – IAFC works in the North Lawndale community to provide several early care and education initiatives. Learn more about how we support families in North Lawndale.

Community Engagement

• Community Parenting Support Saturation Project – We are working in three communities to provide a saturated approach to delivering parenting interventions that support families in their parenting efforts. Learn more about this innovative project.
• Neighborhood Partnerships – Learn more about how we engage faith-based leaders, community organizations, and hospitals!
• Partnerships for Positive Outcomes (PPO) - We offer trainings for schools and organizations on building authentic family and community engagement.

Community Systems Development

• Community Systems Statewide Supports – We developed and manage the first statewide training and technical assistance program for community systems in Illinois. Learn more about community systems development efforts and resources or find a community collaboration near you!
• Chicago Community Collaboration – We support local early childhood community collaborations in Chicago to connect families to early learning programs. This collaborative project is made possible with our partnerships with the Chicago Department of Family Support Services, Chicago’s Mayor’s Office of Early Learning, and Chicago Public Schools.