Childhood Collaboratives

Our Bright & Early DuPage initiative has provided grant funds for local community organizations to leverage local resources in creating formal community early childhood collaboratives. These collaboratives will more effectively support efforts to deliver early childhood care and education within their communities. Contact them for more information on local resources and services available.

Expanding early childhood collaboration into additional communities is a Bright & Early DuPage priority. Communities interested in exploring the implementation of an early childhood collaboration should contact Barb Szczepaniak, vice president for programs, at 630.598.5280 or barb@dupagefoundation.org.

Addison Partners for Play, Learning, & Education (APPLE)
Maureen Reedy, Project Director, APPLE
Metropolitan Family Services DuPage
Phone: 773-343-2706 | Email: reedym@metrofamily.org

Bensenville Early Learning Supporters
Christy Poli, LCSW, Birth to Three Coordinator, Bensenville School District 2
Phone: 630-766-2602 x4237 | Email: cpoli@bsd2.org

DuPage Early Childhood Collaboration (DECC)
The DECC is a central resource for existing and emerging early childhood collaborations.
Email: info@dupagedecc.org

Glenbard Early Childhood Collaborative
Jeanine Woltman, Collaborative Coordinator
Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE)
Phone: 630-942-5600 | Email: jwoltman@casedupage.com

Supporting Early Education in DuPage South – SEEDS
Iqra Merchant, Community Engagement Director of Early Learning, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
Phone: 312-932-1200 | Email: imerchant@ymcachicago.org

Villa Park Area Early Childhood Collaborative
Patricia Ibarra, Program Manager, Bilingual Community Outreach
Tri-Town YMCA
Phone: 630-629-9622 | Email: pibarra@tritownymca.org

Wheaton/Warrenville Early Childhood Collaborative
Annie Behrens, Project Director, Wheaton/Warrenville Early Childhood Collaborative
Metropolitan Family Services DuPage
Phone: 630-784-4860 | Email: behrnsa@metrofamily.org

We Go Together for Kids 
Molly Beck Dean, Director
Email: beckdeanm@metrofamily.org

Willowbrook Community Early Childhood Collaborative
DeeDee Fekete, Strong Families Suburban Coordinator
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
Phone: 630-580-5705 | Email: andrea.fekete@ywcachicago.org