Where healing is the norm, not the exception, for every child in every system across Illinois.
THE HEALING FIRST INITIATIVE
#ILStand4Children
Together, We Pledge
These organizations and individuals pledged to stand for the #ILstand4children with Unity for Children. They are committed to advocating for a future where no child is trapped in the intergenerational cycle of trauma—where healing replaces harm and every child has the opportunity to thrive. They will actively support efforts that drive systemic change, improve policies, and ensure children are protected and given the resources to thrive.
Let It Be Us
The vision of Let It Be Us is for all children in foster care to be placed in the right home the first time, so they can thrive and experience the best possible outcomes. We support Unity for Children.
Safe Families for Children
Safe Families for Children supports and strengthens families, preventing child abuse and neglect, and reducing the number of children unnecessarily entering the child welfare system.
Hopeful Beginnings, Natalie R.
I want to do all I can to work for a better, more compassionate world - especially for other women.
The Bridge Youth & Family Services
The Bridge provides services to support youth and families in creating emotional wellness, strong relationships, and successful futures.
The Nia Vizyon Project
Children deserve a life free from harm and fear.
Program Overview
The Healing First Initiative is a trauma-informed, healing-centered program designed to disrupt intergenerational trauma and strengthen the systems that support children and families across Illinois.
Guided by the C.H.I.L.D. Framework, the Initiative combines evidence-based, trauma-informed strategies with an intentional focus on healing, an element often missing in a child’s journey. Without this focus, cycles of trauma persist. Healing First addresses this gap by cultivating unified systems and embedding healing-centered practices at the critical decision points and touchpoints that shape a child’s life across education, child welfare, healthcare, and justice systems.
Program Components
01
This program engages child-serving professionals, caregivers, advocates, and system leaders in strengthening their ability to support children impacted by trauma. Through interactive keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions, participants gain practical, evidence-based strategies that directly improve decision-making and outcomes for children across education, child welfare, healthcare, and justice systems.
From the Inside Out
02
The initiative includes a trauma-informed, experiential opportunity designed to deepen participants’ understanding of healing practices. Participants experience first-hand how it’s like when healing and truly being cared for is prioritized, strengthening their ability to apply these approaches when supporting children and families.
Mini Immersive Reset
Healing in Practice03
Partners with community members, nonprofits, leaders, and experts to provide trauma-informed, healing-centered training for educators, caseworkers, clinicians, advocates, and legal professionals, ensuring decisions prioritize children’s safety, stability, and well-being.
HFI Network04
Builds and sustains a network of professionals and organizations committed to advancing trauma-informed practices for children. This network supports ongoing collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement across systems serving children and families.
Impact on Social Responsibility
Partnering with the Healing First Initiative reflects a shared commitment to children, families, and stronger communities across Illinois.
Childhood trauma affects many children in our state. Over 38% of Illinois children have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE), and a significant number are involved in the foster care system or interact with multiple child-serving systems, including education, healthcare, and the courts. These experiences can have long-term effects on safety, stability, learning, and overall well-being.
Healing First strengthens trauma-informed, healing-centered practices across these systems, ensuring that children impacted by ACEs and system involvement are supported with consistent, healing-focused approaches.
Through this partnership, supporters help:
Improve outcomes for children in Illinois, including those in foster care or multiple systems
Strengthen decision-making across education, child welfare, healthcare, and justice systems
Build safer, healthier, and more resilient communities
Advance social responsibility goals related to child well-being, education, and equity
By investing in Healing First, partners contribute to sustainable, system-level change, supporting all children, especially those most vulnerable, while interrupting trauma across generations and strengthening communities.
Join Us in Building Lasting Change
PROBONO
Offer your expertise and skills to champion the rights of children. Legal, research, and other professional services are invaluable in our mission to protect and nurture every child in every system.
PROGRAM PARTNERSHIP
Directly impact the lives of Illinois’ children through program funding and partnerships.
EMPLOYER MATCHING
Does your company have an employer matching policy? Through corporate matching, your employees can multiply your donation to Unity for Children.
W.E. C.A.R.E. Council
We Empower: Children, Advocates, Relationships, and Expertise
W.E. C.A.R.E. Council share the same vision of making healing the norm, not the exception, for every child in every system. This Council is a group of parents, children, experts, representatives of organizations, and other community members who are committed to advancing the Healing First Initiative.
We believe that great wisdom and most effective solutions come from those who experienced the challenges first-hand. Their voices are valuable in understanding the complexities of the issues that impact the lives of children and families, and allow us to create systems and strategies that truly serve the children and families they are meant to support. With this, W.E. C.A.R.E. Council serves as in an advisory capacity where their recommendations are valued.