Early Childhood Network

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The Early Childhood Leaders Collaborative Network is a community of practice designed for early childhood systems leaders seeking meaningful collaboration beyond regional updates. Entering its second year, this network continues to deepen its focus on leadership, sustainability, and strategic impact across early childhood programming.

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Designed for ECSE Coordinators, Preschool Coordinators, Community Education Directors, VPK Leads, and Center-Based Child Care Leaders, the network provides ongoing, structured collaboration centered on improving the systems participants lead. Members engage in discussions and learning experiences grounded in real implementation challenges while building connections with peers across the region.

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Participants will benefit from:

A cross-district leadership community grounded in shared roles and responsibilities
Structured yet participant-driven learning connected to real-world challenges
Shared frameworks for strengthening and sustaining early childhood systems
Collective problem-solving across diverse program models
A balance of in-person collaboration and virtual flexibility

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This network is designed for leaders responsible for building infrastructure, aligning resources, and driving continuous improvement within early childhood systems.

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2026 - 2027 Meeting Dates & Fees:

Monday, September 21, 2026 (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)*
Monday, October 19, 2026 (1:00 pm – 3:00 pm)
Monday, November 16, 2026 (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)*
Monday, December 21, 2026 (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)*
Monday, March 15, 2027 (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)*
Monday, April 19, 2027 (1:00 pm – 3:00 pm)

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^{In-person network meetings are held from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.}

^{*Denotes virtual meeting held from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm.}

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Full Member: $57.00

Associate Member: $95.00

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Register Now >>‍

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For More Information

Please contact Jennifer Johnson at jjohnson@resourcecoop-mn.gov with interest or questions.

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We offer members a wide range of high-quality products and services at discounted rates.

By combining the purchasing power of all Members, we can achieve volume pricing on quality products and services from reputable vendors. We work with the vendors but FOR the Members.

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Our Cooperative Purchasing Program offers members a wide range of high-quality products and services at discounted rates. By combining the purchasing power of all Members, we can achieve volume pricing on quality products and services from reputable vendors. We work with the vendors but FOR the Members.

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Membership is open to:

Schools
Cities, Counties, Governmental Agencies
Nonprofit organizations and other partnership agencies.
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Satisfying Minnesota competitive bidding requirements.

Vendors we provide are the result of either formal bids (identified as State Bid or SB) or negotiated contracts (identified as Preferred Vendors or PV).

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The contracted vendors we have known as State Bid or SB vendors are established through formal bids and purchasing from them satisfies Minnesota competitive bidding requirements - regardless of the amount of the purchase. The ability to do so is outlined in Minnesota Statutes123A.2 and 471.345.

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The combination of these two statutes gives members the ability to purchase from contracted vendors while remaining in compliance with the Minnesota competitive bidding requirements.

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View our Cooperative Purchasing Vendor Directory.

Express Purchasing Connection

Express brings you the ease and convenience of ordering from multiple vendors on one site while knowing that the contracts you are purchasing from have been chosen according to state purchasing regulations.

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Search for products in the following categories:

Building & Grounds
Classroom Supplies
Office Supplies
Technology
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The easiest way to sign up at the Cooperative Purchasing Express website:

Go to cpcexpress.org
On the left side of the page and 2/3rd down is a blue "register now" button. Click it.
Fill out the form - There are six parts of the form you must complete. They all have asterisks on them. The rest of the parts are optional. Notice that when you put down your school or CCOGA name a drop down list comes up of all the eligible organizations. You can use this to finish your organization name.
You will get a confirmation email shortly. Click on the verification link and then you can jump right in and start shopping!
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Any questions?

Please contact us at express@purchasingconnection.org or by phone at (888) 739-3289.