Kristin Gardner
Evanston,IL
Summary
Highly dedicated child and family advocate, passionate about developing and promoting policy that provides equitable care, education, and support for children and families in every community. Early Childhood professional with over 30 years of experience supporting families in early care and education, child welfare, and community engagement. Committed to team and systems building through active listening, collaboration, and flexibility to invest in making an impactful change for children and families in underrepresented communities.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Research and Administrative Assistant
Erikson Institute FAN Program
Chicago, IL
08.2021 - Current
- Provide support for Facilitated Attuned Interactions (FAN) trainings for 30 plus early childhood support systems sites
- Contribute to FAN Metasynthesis Project on qualitative coding decisions
- Qualitatively coded 15 FAN studies using Atlas.ti software
- Collaborate with Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Infant-Toddler Court Program (ITCP), and Maternal, Infant, Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) trainers on material adaptation for site-specific early childhood and family support programs
- Create and alter slide decks for trainers using PowerPoint
- Coordinate program training data and evaluation reports using Excel, Word, and SharePoint
Early Childhood Initiatives Program Manager Intern
American Academy of Pediatrics
Itasca, IL
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Collaborated on early relational health (ERH) webinar content, design, and implementation
- Assisted in research, analysis, and organization of educational materials related to early childhood Initiatives, policy, advocacy, health equity, and infant and early childhood mental health in pediatrics
- Researched updates to current legislation, regulations, and policies
- Reviewed MIECHV legislation, Home Visiting Coalition (HVC) materials, and state-wide MIECHV initiatives for continued advocacy on reauthorizing H.R 8876: Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022
Community Mentor Program Coordinator and Trainer
Champaign Unit 4 Schools and CU One-to-One
Champaign, IL
12.2018 - 06.2020
- Recruited new community mentors and volunteers and acted as liaison with faculty, staff, and students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Partnered with community leaders and educators to evaluate and problem-solve children and families’ unmet needs in underrepresented communities
- Coordinated mentor/mentee assessment, training, and ongoing communication of students and mentors for over 50 mentoring relationships at elementary and middle school levels
- Independently conducted community mentoring training opportunities
Early Childhood Education Provider
Private Practice
Champaign, IL
08.2006 - 05.2016
- Provided early childhood education and care for newborns through age 5 for over 10+ community organizations
- Collaborated with multiple child and family community support programs
- Created and implemented lesson plans for preschool and kindergarten classes in early literacy, math, and science for cooperative preschools and families
- Took initiative to provide six science summer K-3 enrichment classes supporting working families
Education
Child Development - Master of Science (M.S.)
Erikson Institute
Chicago, IL05.2023
Children's Law and Policy - Master's Degree
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL05.2023
Elementary Education - Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL05.1998
Skills
- Oral and Written Communication
- Microsoft Office Products
- Organizational Skills
- Administrative Management
- Survey Evaluation Management
- Virtual Platform Training
- Detail Oriented
- Atlasti Qualitative Coding
- Research
- Project Management
- Work Flow Management
- RFP's
Licenses and Certifications
Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate 2023
Erikson Institute
DC:0-5 Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Development
Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood Certificate 2023
Zero to Three
Facilitated Attuned Interactions Practitioner Training Certificate 2023
Erikson Institute
Volunteer Experience
- Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Aug 2019 - May 2020
National CASA/GAL for Children
- Licensed Foster Parent Dec 2014 - Mar 2019
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Timeline
Early Childhood Initiatives Program Manager Intern
American Academy of Pediatrics
08.2022 - 05.2023
Research and Administrative Assistant
Erikson Institute FAN Program
08.2021 - Current
Community Mentor Program Coordinator and Trainer
Champaign Unit 4 Schools and CU One-to-One
12.2018 - 06.2020
Early Childhood Education Provider
Private Practice
08.2006 - 05.2016
Child Development - Master of Science (M.S.)
Erikson Institute
Children's Law and Policy - Master's Degree
Loyola University Chicago
Elementary Education - Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign