Janiene Cler Garcia

Janiene Garcia joined the Center for Prevention Research and Development (CPRD) in 2019 and is a Research Program Coordinator on the federal Maternal, Infant, Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) grant in Illinois. She provides technical assistance and training, individual program data and group support to Coordinated Intake programs, focusing on community systems partnerships and referrals to home visiting services. She works with the IDHS Department of Early Childhood, Bureau of Home Visiting to strengthen coordination and increase family access and enrollment in home visiting programs through local community and statewide collaborations. Prior to working at the University of Illinois, she led the program development and launch of College Kids, a college savings and financial literacy initiative through the City of St. Louis Treasurer’s Office, for students in St. Louis Public Schools. She also developed a Spanish and bilingual Financial Stability Services program for adults with low incomes at LifeWise STL. Janiene was previously a bilingual home visitor for pregnant and parenting high school students near Chicago. She holds a Master of Social Work and has experience working with schools, families and children in several social service and economic development capacities.