OVERVIEW
This program that is dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice to strengthen child care and the families and children who use it in Illinois and across the country. We conduct applied child care research, engage with stakeholders to provide practical, evidence-based policy-relevant tools and information, and teach a new generation of child care scholars. Each semester graduate and undergraduate students at the University become engaged in child care research and the work of the Child Care Resource and Referral agency. This activity insures the development of the child care workforce, a new generation of child care scholars, and an educated community sensitive to the importance of high quality care.
CHILD CARE RESILIENCE TEAM
Angela Wiley Ph.D. is Professor of Family Studies in Human and Community Development at the University of Illinois and an Extension Specialist in Family Life Education. She attended Miami University (Ohio) for her BA in Psychology and received her PHD from Clark University. Dr. Wiley does research on how individuals and families remain resilient in the face of stress and challenge. She is interested in identifying how family strengths such as mealtimes and shared physical activity can improve family functioning. Some of her published work is in Family Relations and in Child Development. Dr. Wiley also is interested in promoting wellness through her outreach work. She has created curricula and materials to help people balance work and personal life and conducted efficacy studies of these materials. Dr. Wiley has been on the faculty at the University of Illinois since 1998.
Roger Figueroa is a doctoral student in the department of Human Development and Family Studies. He enjoys being physically active through sports, hiking and sightseeing. Among his interests, he cares about promoting health and physical activity in various contexts including family child care. Roger seeks to continue his professional career promoting health behaviors in various populations for many years to come.
Katherine Magerko is studying medicine and a graduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Originally from Colorado, Katie loves the mountains, skiing and hiking. Taking advantage of the great state of Illinois, she recently started her first garden! Katie worked for a short time in child care and for two years as a nursing assistant in a pediatric practice. Her long term goal is to become a pediatrician and work on research related to health and family contexts. She loves children and thinking about ways to help people be their healthiest, best selves!
Rachael Hawn is a doctoral student in Human Development and Family Studies. She enjoys gardening, camping, and anything to do with animals. She has past experience in child care, having worked both in a child development lab and as a full-time child care provider. In the future, she plans to continue working to promote the health, happiness, and well-being of both children and their care providers.
Elizabeth Villegas is a doctoral student in the department of Human Development and Family studies. She enjoys traveling and seeing the world as well as being a part of different cultures and people. She gained experience working in a school in South America and has worked with youth and children for several years. Her pursuits are to promote health, wellness, and family support in underserved populations.