Erikson Institute Early Childhood Leadership Academy Get on the Early Childhood Bus - Episode 9: 2025 ECLA Summit

May 19, 2025

Original coverage in Episode 9 of the Erikson Institute Early Childhood Leadership Academy Podcast.

The Birth to Five Illinois mention is 16:21 (start at 15:48 for context).

In this episode, we take you inside the 2025 ECLA Summit, where early childhood leaders gathered to confront the troubling rise in Black youth suicidality. Featuring powerful insights from advocate Tandra Rutledge, along with reflections from Erikson’s Policy & Leadership staff and ECLA fellows, this episode explores how early childhood professionals can “find the baby” in urgent community issues and lead lasting, transformative change across sectors.

Show Notes: 

• ECLA Webpage

• Tandra Rutledge 

  • LinkdeIn

  • Board of Directors

• Supportive Mental Health Resources 

  • Suicide Among Illinois Youth 

  • Issue Brief: Black Youth Suicide Prevention 

  • Suicidal Behavior Among Illinois Youth LGBTQ 

• Black Caucus’ Sounding the Alarm Report

• Birth to Five Illinois Regional Reports 

• Food Security Episode 

  • Finding the Baby: Food Justice, Part 1 

  • Finding the Baby: Food Justice, Part 2