Applications Now Open for our 2026–27 PLF Cohort!

Calling all parents with CPS students enrolled in Austin, Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, and North Lawndale schools! Applications are now open for Kids First Chicago's signature leadership development program, the Parent Leadership Fellowship, running from fall 2026 to spring 2027. 

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Protecting Student Learning in the Era of Immigration Enforcement

Our new report finds federal immigration enforcement disrupted student attendance and urges the City and Chicago Public Schools to better prepare and protect learning during enforcement activity.

Read the report

Our Work

Learn more about our work from the people who lead Kids First Chicago.

Activate Families

We bring parents to the decision-making table, providing transparent and digestible information to fuel their engagement and supporting them as they lead work to transform Chicago schools.

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Shape Policy

We work with parents to address the root causes of inequitable education outcomes and partner with CPS, the City of Chicago, and others in implementing solutions supported by families and the facts.

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Share the Facts

We offer independent, transparent data about Chicago schools so all families can evaluate schools’ performance and their kids’ needs as well as participate in decision-making.

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Where We Engage

We focus our community engagement in the city’s South and West Sides, where far too many Black and Latine parents have been left out of the conversation for far too long.

Upcoming Events

APR 18, 2026 • 10:00 AM–3:00 PM

PLF Curriculum Session 8

Location: TBD

Category: PLF Session

Module 3 Unit 2

APR 21, 2026 • 6:00 PM–7:30 PM

Living Room - College Applications 101

Location: Virtual

Category: Info Session

RSVP Here

APR 22, 2026 • 11:00 AM–12:00 PM

Parent Leadership Fellowship Info Session

Location: Virtual

Audience: Parents

Category: Info Session

Join us for a Parent Leadership Fellowship Information Session to learn more about Kids First Chicago's signature fellowship program!

Register here

A Resilient Chicago

Together, we can create a system where every kid defies gravity—a system that ensures equitable access to quality schools, funding, and transparent information in all communities.

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