PRESS RELEASE: DuPage County Organizations Host Early Childhood Mental Health Symposium
PRESS RELEASE
PDF version
For more information, contact:
Maggie Koller (she/her)
Communications Manager
(309) 233-0434
mkoller@birthtofiveil.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2025
DUPAGE COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS HOST EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM
Virtual Viewing Added Due to Demand
Birth to Five Illinois, the DuPage County Health Department, and KidsMatter are hosting an Early Childhood Mental Health Symposium in early September 2025. The event, which will take place at the Morton Arboretum, surpassed the 130-person capacity one week after event details were publicized, demonstrating a readiness for this important conversation in DuPage County. Live virtual viewing has been added to accommodate additional participants. Several in-person seats are reserved for members of the press covering the event.
The Symposium will provide an overview of the Early Childhood Mental Health landscape in DuPage County and highlight the local needs of young children and their families. Attendees will hear from Sarah Martinez, Senior Instructor at Erikson Institute, among others. Following the presentation, guests attending in person will have an opportunity to share their experiences and provide feedback on how the community can move forward together. Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs), and Gateway Credits are available to those attending in person.
Valerie Varju, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 19 Council Manager (DuPage County), said, “Our Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessment: Focus on Mental & Behavioral Health, released in June 2024, indicated that though our county has many strengths in this area, there is so much more we can do to address the mental and behavioral health needs of our youngest community members, especially those in priority populations.”
“While DuPage County continues to prioritize the health and well-being of our residents, we still need more Early Childhood services, specifically for children from birth to age five,” said Adam Forker, Executive Director, DuPage County Health Department. “Investments in the health of our youngest community members will pay dividends for years to come. It is inspiring to see so many partners come together to build a plan and act on this important issue.”
“KidsMatter strives to empower kids, support parents, and forge connections to promote the well-being of families in DuPage and Will Counties,” said Nina M. Menis, CEO and Executive Director of KidsMatter. “We are eager to connect, listen, and partner through this event to enact real change in our communities.”
Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Time: 8:00am – 11:00am
RSVP to attend virtually: bit.ly/3IxbvOt
Members of the press interested in attending the event at the Morton Arboretum, email Valerie Varju at vvarju@birthtofiveil.com to RSVP.
###
About Birth to Five Illinois
Birth to Five Illinois’ mission is to create a statewide regional infrastructure that will amplify input from communities in the development of policies and funding priorities. We support the mobilization of communities to build and sustain equitable access to inclusive, high-quality early childhood services for all children and families in the state of Illinois.
About the DuPage County Health Department
The DuPage County Health Department promotes health and well-being for the DuPage County community.
About KidsMatter
KidsMatter works to help young people build developmental assets including positive values, healthy relationships, and self-esteem.