Important, Paid Research Study for Parents

Do you have a child between 30 and 47 months old with developmental, learning, or behavioral concerns. We want to hear from you! Pathways for Preschoolers is a research study focused on understanding how families navigate educational and healthcare services for young children. We know these systems can be complex, and we also recognize that Black and Latino/a families often face additional barriers when seeking support.

By sharing your experiences, you’ll help us identify solutions that can improve policies, medical care, and early education programs—ensuring all children get the services they need to thrive. Families who participate will complete five surveys over three years and receive compensation for their time.

As part of Pathways for Preschoolers, families also gain access to a monthly newsletter with parenting tips, local resources, playground meet-ups, and fun activities. Learn more and see if you're eligible at www.pathwaysforpreschoolers.org. 

 

InfantSEE

InfantSEE ®: Establishing a Lifetime of Healthy Eyes and Vision

Cooing, sitting up, and crawling are all signs that a baby is growing. But, did you know that a    baby's vision has stages of development too? Signs marking vision development are often less noticeable even to parents, teachers, and other health care providers. That's why the American Optometric Association recommends scheduling an infant's first eye exam around six months of age, immediately after the eye undergoes rapid and profound changes and is therefore most vulnerable to interference with healthy development.

InfantSEE, a public health program, managed by Optometry Cares - The AOA Foundation, is designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care to improve a child's quality of life. Under this program, AOA member optometrists provide a no-cost comprehensive eye and vision assessment for infants 6-12 months old regardless of a family's income or access to insurance coverage. 

Interested in having your baby's eyes checked? Click below to find a provider in your neighborhood.

https://www.infantsee.org/find-a-doctor

January 27th - March 9th

Families experiencing homelessness and/or housing instability can receive a one-time cash payment through the Illinois Department of Human Services. Please see the link below to see if you meet eligibility requirements.  

                Cash Assistance for Families in Cook County

Helping Little Ones Manage Big Feelings

Building Self Regulation Skills at Home

Join StarNet and presenter, Julie Kallenbach on March 20th from 7-8:30 pm for a free, virtual conversation around self regulation. This meeting is geared towards parents of children ages birth to five. 

Children in this age range are learning the foundational skills of executive function: self-regulation, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. All skills that help them mange big feelings. When developmental delays, disabilities, or sensory issues are present, these skills are critically essential in helping children be available for learning academics and social behaviors. Participants will learn how to create routines, use co-regulation skills, and the types of games that help build these fundamental skills.  

*To enroll, you may need to create a StarNet account. Instructions on how this easy step can be found on the registration link above.

Mixed Feelings - A New Read for Young and Old

 

Mixed Feelings: Finck, Liana, Finck, Liana: 9780593660423: Amazon.com: Books

Suggested ages 3-5 years

Books are a great way to connect and explore concepts with young children. "Mixed Feelings" examines rich, wide-ranging emotions in a kid-friendly way. Each illustration portrays a specific scenario involving a child and a phrase that reminds readers (young and old) that not all feelings can be summed up in a single word or occur singularly.

Autism and Developmental Differences Expo

 

Event description

Don't miss the Autism & Developmental Differences Expo 2025, Saturday, March 15th, 10am-1pm. This event will feature many opportunities to connect with resources, service providers and programs for those with developmental differences, including:

• Free developmental screeners. To help you better see your child's developmental progress, sign up for a screener. These screeners are not in-depth evaluations, but serve to help you get a clearer picture of what the best next steps are for your child's development.
• Parent Workshops and Panels. Presented by local professionals on a variety of helpful topics. More details coming soon.
• Exhibitor Hall. Come connect with local providers offering a variety of programs and services including therapy, recreation, advocacy, etc. Participate in our passport contest for your chance to win gift cards to popular retailers!

This Expo is geared toward adults. Parents may bring children, though there will be NO respite care.

Free parking available.

https://events.humanitix.com/autismexpo25