LEARNING BASKET PROGRAM EXPANDS

It has been an exciting start to the year for the Learning Basket program in Chicago. The program received funding for three new initiatives beginning this spring. ​

The first is a grant from the Thorek Foundation in support of the "Learning Basket for Healthy Families" program. The ICA has partnered with Heartland Health Association in Uptown to bring the curriculum to 20 families in the area, most of whom are recent immigrants. The program discusses healthy development in young children and healthy habits for families.​

The second new initiative this spring is around the program expansion work. While the Learning Basket program has historically served 0-3 year old children, their families, and caregivers, stakeholders have long been interested in expanding the curriculum to serve children ages 3 - 5 as well. The ICA has devoted significant time and energy over the past two years to developing a new curriculum to serve that age range, and is now in the pilot phases of implementing the new curriculum. The two pilot partners are RefugeeOne, (a parent group will begin in April 2013) and at DayStar Elementary School in the south loop. We look forward to reviewing the results of these pilot programs and moving forward with program expansion.