2022 Helen R. Weigle Fellowship
Children’s Advocates for Change
125 S. Clark Street, Chicago, IL, 60603
www.childrensadvocates.org
Children’s Advocates for Change is an independent advocacy organization committed to the well-being of every Illinois child. We champion policies and investments to make families stronger and improve the lives of children so that they may grow up well-educated, safe, and healthy. Our goal is to see that every child is afforded every opportunity to succeed in life regardless of that child’s race, ethnicity, or zip code.
The Fellowship Programs honors Helen R. Weigle who worked tirelessly to address the needs of children. Among her many accomplishments was serving on a presidential advisory council addressing the welfare of children and families and co-founding an Illinois children’s advocacy organization.
Equity is at the forefront of Children’s Advocacy for Change’s efforts. The organization uses a racial, ethnic, and inclusion lens in all its policies, programs, employment practices and operations. Disaggregating the data (whether from the Census Bureau, other federal agencies, or state government agencies) by race and ethnicity helps us pinpoint the barriers children may face and the solutions needed. It is through these efforts that we develop the evidence-based policies to eliminate the racial and ethnic disparities faced by our children. We also use this data to advocate for further state appropriations to programs designed to improve the well-being of children and their parents.
The Fellow will assist Children’s Advocates for Change in collecting data on child well being in the areas of health, education, and economic security with an emphasis on existing disparities and inequities. The primary focus is on Illinois children with (depending on available data) regional data profiles. The data collected will serve as the basis for policy briefs, webinars, social media posts, and in-person presentations throughout the year. Children’s Advocates for Change is also working to promote the Racial Impact Note Act the state adopted in 2021 and encouraging other states to follow suit. The data collected may be used to support these efforts as well.
This Fellowship is designed for students studying or interested in pursuing academic work regarding public policy/advocacy that strives to improve the well-being of children and their families. The Fellow could be an undergraduate senior, student enrolled in a relevant master’s program or student enrolled in a relevant doctoral program. Children’s Advocates for Change will also consider law school students. Fellows will assist in the collection and analysis of data, writing policies papers and blog posts to convey the data to the general public, and attending advocacy meetings. Other duties may be assigned by the President and Vice-President for Policy of the organization. The Fellowship is designed to run for 20 weeks and would begin in the spring or summer depending on the student’s availability and academic institution’s calendar.
Qualifications
- Undergraduate senior or graduate student in public policy/administration, childhood education, public health, economics, sociology, social work, pre-law, or other discipline where the student can demonstrate the connection between his/her academic studies and the work outlined in this document. Children’s Advocates for Change will also consider law school students.
- Illinois resident during the Fellowship.
- Must demonstrate familiarity with or strong interest in children’s policy and improving the well-being of children through such measures as increased access to health care, reducing childhood poverty, and removing barriers to early childhood education programs.
- Excellent written and oral skills including a background in research, data collection, and analysis.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
- Strong computer skills including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Familiarity with Access or statistical program a plus.
- Ability to take the initiative and complete tasks on time.
Terms of the Fellowship:
- Able to commit up to 20 hours a week for 20 weeks.
- Children’s Advocates for Change will pay Fellows a monthly stipend with the amount varying depending on academic qualifications. (Total amount between $6,400 and $7,000 for the entire Fellowship.)
Upon successful completion of the Fellowship, Children’s Advocates for Change will invite graduates of the program to become part of the Weigle Contributing Editors for policy briefs and blog posts. Benefits will include complementary tickets to Children’s Advocates for Change events.
Children’s Advocates for Change is an equal opportunity employer that values qualified applicants without regard to disability, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
Interested persons should forward a letter stating the applicant’s interest and availability and a resume to:
Mitch Lifson
Vice-President for Policy
Children’s Advocates for Change
mlifson@childrensadvocates.org
No phone calls please.