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Job Title: Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

Email: cerude@chaddock.org

Website: https://www.caregiverconnections.org/

Languages: English

Professional Bio

Cara Erude is a dedicated and compassionate professional with a strong foundation in early childhood development, mental health consulting, and family-centered social services. With over four years of focused work in early childhood mental health and a career spanning more than a decade in human services, Cara brings a unique blend of experience, empathy, and insight to her work with children, families, and providers.

Currently serving as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant with Chaddock’s Caregiver Connections program, Cara supports early childhood programs across Illinois in cultivating emotionally supportive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environments. Her work centers on preventing expulsion and promoting interventions that support the healthy social and emotional growth of young children—especially those experiencing trauma, developmental delays, or behavioral challenges.

Cara believes that nurturing relationships are at the heart of childhood development. Through reflective consultation and collaboration with educators, caregivers, and parents, she helps build systems of support that recognize and respect the diverse backgrounds of the children served—including those who are neurodivergent, from marginalized communities, or practicing various faiths. Her approach is grounded in equity, trauma-informed care, and relationship-based practices.

In this role, Cara also connects families to vital community resources and supports childcare providers in navigating challenges related to behavior, development, and classroom dynamics. She regularly facilitates workshops and coaching sessions for early childhood professionals, helping them adapt their teaching methods to meet the emotional and developmental needs of all children in their care.

Prior to her current position, Cara served as a Child Welfare Specialist at Chaddock, where she worked with families navigating the foster care system. In this role, she advocated for the reunification of families whenever safely possible and helped biological parents remain engaged with their service plans. Her responsibilities included writing detailed court reports, attending hearings, and coordinating with service providers to ensure families had the support they needed.

Cara’s journey into early childhood and human services has been shaped by both practical and academic experiences. She holds a Master of Arts in Sociology from Western Illinois University, where her non-thesis research explored the lived experience of social surveillance and accountability through the lens of body-worn cameras. She also earned a Bachelor of General Studies from WIU and an Associate in Science from Spoon River College.

During her graduate studies, Cara served as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, supporting undergraduate students and professors through tutoring, grading, and course facilitation. This experience further deepened her commitment to mentorship and education—a value that continues to influence her approach as a mental health consultant.

Her earlier professional background includes a range of roles that demonstrate her adaptability and commitment to service, including positions in healthcare registration, culinary services, and retail education. While varied, these experiences have reinforced her core strengths in communication, problem-solving, and empathy—traits she continues to draw upon in her current role.

Cara’s work is also informed by her deep commitment to social justice and advocacy. As someone who has worked closely with diverse populations, including children with complex trauma histories, families in crisis, and under-resourced communities, she brings a culturally responsive and strengths-based lens to everything she does. Her consulting practice is grounded in the belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive and that providers need supportive systems to nurture that growth.

In every interaction—whether with a teacher in need of support, a parent facing uncertainty, or a child learning how to regulate their emotions—Cara brings patience, perspective, and purpose. Her goal is to be a bridge between systems and people, helping to build sustainable, healing-centered environments where everyone feels seen, safe, and supported.

As she looks to the future, Cara remains committed to expanding her impact in early childhood mental health, advocating for inclusive policies, and promoting a holistic vision of care that uplifts entire communities.

Licensure

Masters of Sociology