When the Latino Policy Forum brought Abriendo Puertas (“Opening Doors”)—an evidence-based, train-the-trainer parent leadership program from California—to Chicago in 2010, we had a modest-but-important goal of empowering 200 local Latino parents with skills to become advocates and agents of change in the lives of their young children. Cognitive foundations are laid early, and Abriendo Puertas would encourage local parents to embrace cultural assets to become their children’s first teachers, thus boosting academic outcomes for Latino students later in life.

Fast-forward three years, and Abriendo Puertas has taken off in Chicago. The Latino Policy Forum has shared the program with 27 local organizations who have, in turn, taught 1,000 Metro Chicago parents how to “open doors” for their children.... Continue Reading

On April 30, the Latino Policy Forum traveled with nearly 50 Chicago-area parents to Springfield to urge legislators to protect and restore funding for early education and childcare. Two mothers shared their experiences with us.

El 30 de abril, el Latino Policy Forum viajó con casi 50 padres a Springfield para abogar que los legisladores protegieran y restauraran los fondos para la educación prescolar. Al siguiente, dos madres nos contaron sus experiencias.

Madre El Valor, Pilsen from Latino Policy Forum on Vimeo.

Madre El Valor, La Villita from Latino Policy Forum on Vimeo.