Quality Enrichment Circles (QECs), otherwise known as “communities of practice” are a group of people who share a common concern or a passion for something they do and they want to learn how to do it better. Even though we are facing unprecedented times and will be unable to meet in person this year, IHSA is committed to bringing you QECs for the 12th straight year! Just because we can’t meet in person doesn’t mean our conversations and relationships are any different. In fact, the need for QEC meetings is more important now than ever! During the meetings we will talk and share ideas, insights and strategies to help each other solve problems and  develop a common practice or approach to your content area.

This community is a place for Family Service Managers, Family Service Specialists, Family Advocates, ERSEA professionals and staff that work with families to help support them with achieving goals and programs that support and strengthen parent-child relationships and engage families around children’s learning and development. The agenda will be designed by you and what you need from the meeting. Questions, strategies, and ideas related to COVID-19 will be front and center of all QECs but will also include additional important topical areas that also need to be discussed such as Framework, Measuring family outcomes, Self assessment of current family and community engagement strategies, Family outcomes and school readiness, Data analysis and planning program improvements, Community resources to support family outcomes, Relationship based competencies for staff, Financial Literacy, Support strategies for Family Service Staff, Dealing with stress, Using technology to work smarter not harder, Two-Generation Approach, Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance.

The Family Services & ERSEA QEC will be held virtually FOUR times during the 2020-2021 calendar year. Family Services & ERSEA QECs will meet:

All QEC meetings will be held from 10:00am—1:00pm.

This year there are EIGHT QEC content areas:

1. Education & Coaching

2. Family Services & ERSEA

3. Disabilities, Mental Health & Wellness

4. Health & Nutrition

5. EHS & Home Visiting

6. (new) HR & Fiscal

7. (new) Transportation & Facilities

8. (new) Site/Center Directors.

QECs #1—#5 will continue to meet regionally in groups in South, Central & North/Chicago.

The brand new QECs # 6, #7 & #8 will not meet in groups regionally, but instead meet together in one group. Bring Your Brown Bag Lunch and Join Us on ZOOM for QECs!

Please contact Michelle Iocca at miocca@ilheadstart.org with any questions. Once registered there is a no cancellation policy. For all important and current information and to see all IHSA events, please visit the IHSA website at www.ilheadstart.org