Erikson Institute

RESEARCH, POLICY & LEADERSHIP: Erikson Institute leads the field in early childhood research, uncovering opportunities for us to drive positive change for children, families, and communities. Erikson's current research projects respond directly to the needs of young children and the people who serve them by focusing on what works and models that can be replicated. Our groundbreaking research includes several studies that are the first of their kind in the field on topics including home visiting, Infants and Toddlers, and home-based childcare. Erikson's Policy and Leadership Department works to advance our systems by making them more effective, efficient and accessible to young children and their families by providing key leaders with the knowledge and tools to generate policy solutions that improve access to high-quality early childhood supports and services. The Policy & Leadership team supported Erikson President, Mariana Souto-Manning, in her presentation to the Illinois Senate's Early Childhood Education Committee, which highlighted that 90 percent of the brain is developed by age five and how every $1 invested in quality early childhood programs yields a $7 return. In 2023, the Early Childhood Leadership Academy (ECLA) enrolled 18 Illinois leaders from various sectors in a learning experience that blended expert presentations and activities to build their knowledge of child development and why the first five years are critical. The Policy and Leadership team's workshop series saw 255 participants from a wide variety of social service organizations across the United States.