2025 Champaign Neighborhood Network Conference
The Neighborhood Services Department for the City of Champaign is excited to host the 2025 Champaign Neighborhood Network Conference (CNNC)!
CNNC is a dynamic one-day conference featuring presentations from City staff, local governing bodies/institutions, and community partner agencies covering topics relevant to maintaining vibrant and engaged neighborhoods. CNNC is geared towards Champaign’s registered neighborhood group leaders, their respective neighbors and community members interested in neighborhood organizing and engagement efforts. The conference offers 18 workshops over 6 sessions throughout the day, and will include a key-note address from City of Champaign City Manager Joan Walls. Below is a list of 2025 CNNC workshop offerings, including a description of each presentation.
CONFERENCE SPACE IS LIMITED AND REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. REGISTRATION IS FREE and open to the public. Register online through Eventbrite: 2025 CNNC registration! Contact Neighborhood Services at 217-403-7070 if you have any questions or need assistance registering for CNNC.
1) Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint Update: “Understanding the Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint: Progress, Impact, and Future Steps”
Equity and Engagement Department, City of Champaign
This session will provide a historical context behind the Blueprint, as well as an update on policy changes, the role of Justice Victim Advocates, and the future direction of violence reduction strategies.
2) Online Property Information and Mapping Tools
Planning and Development Department, City of Champaign
This session will provide an explanation of online resources available to the public. We will walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to use online mapping tools, and answer common questions including basic zoning rules and finding property lines.
3) Mental Health Resources
Rosecrance, The Pavilion
This session will describe the current services offered at the Pavilion, the populations served, what patients can expect, and future plans; as well as provide an overview of the range of behavioral health services offered by Rosecrance.
4) Champaign County Community Coalition Overview
Equity and Engagement, City of Champaign
This session will detail the importance of Coalition priorities and initiatives, and explain how people can support the Coalition’s efforts in making our community better.
5) Overview of Capital Improvement Plan
Public Works Department, City of Champaign
This session will provide an overall summary of four capital construction projects taking place in the City of Champaign, touching on the need of the project, scope of proposed improvements, and current schedule.
6) Nuts and Bolts of HOA Engagement: “Successfully Managing Your Neighborhood”
Ashland Park, Timberline Valley South, and Ironwood HOAs
This session will discuss issues and opportunities commonly faced by HOAs and how various HOA groups have addressed those issues through active neighbor engagement and participation.
7) Mediation: Helping People Find Common Ground: “Dealing with Neighborhood Conflicts”
Dispute Resolution Institute
This session will provide a definition of mediation and explain the benefits of mediation, as well as the range of options for dealing with conflict and knowing when mediation services may be used.
8) Housing Placement Initiatives
First Followers
This session will discuss the housing placement pilot program, highlighting the importance of collaboration amongst organizations to provide long-term stability in housing for justice impacted people.
9) Homeless Services and Programs: “Pathways to Progress”
C-U at Home
This session will provide an overview of the C-U at Home Pathways to Progress Program, outlining how the program works with clients to develop goals in seven key areas of instability.
10) City of Champaign Public Communication Strategies and Tools: “Telling Our Story: Putting Public Communication and Engagement Strategies into Action”
City Manager’s Office City of Champaign
This session will highlight the City’s public communications and engagement strategies, and the various tools they use to “tell their story” and keep residents informed with timely and accurate information.
11) Access to Technology: “Connecting the Community”
Champaign Public Library
This session will explore the wide range of devices available for public use, and the online tools and classes that can be accessed both with and without a library card.
12) First Responder Engagement Strategies: “Connect and Serve: Engagement and Champaign Police and Fire”
Champaign Police and Fire Departments
This session will provide an overview of our efforts to promote public safety, including an overview of statistics about department efforts, details on engagement and public education programs from each agency, and opportunities for groups and organizations to get involved.
13) Neighborhood Programs and Organizing Resources
Neighborhood Programs and Neighborhood Relations Divisions
This session will provide an overview of the City’s housing repair programs, the City’s neighborhood-based engagement efforts, and how the Programs and Relations divisions work in tandem to support neighborhood stability.
14 ) Trauma Informed Care: “Cultivating Collaboration for Collective Impact: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Enhancing Community Resilience”
Trauma Resilience Initiative
This session offers an expanded understanding of community stressors and trauma, explore essential trauma-informed principles, and examine the vital role of resilience in healthy neighborhoods
15) Youth and Family Programming: “Making an IMPACT”
YMCA and Y on the Fly
This session will provide a brief history of the YMCA and its work alongside other organizations to help local youth, as well discuss barriers, and introduce potential programming and partnerships that will benefit families
in our community.
16) Who You Gonna Call?
Code Compliance Division, Police, and Public Works, City of Champaign
This session will help identify which City departments to call for different issues and concerns. Staff from Police, Public Works, and Neighborhood Services will be on hand to answer your questions on who to call.
17) Vocational Training: “Empowering Careers, Bridging the Skills Gap & Enhancing Employability through Vocational Training”
CCRPC Workforce Development
This session will explores CCRPC’s vocational training programs, highlighting the impact on the local workforce and discuss how CCRPC opens doors to employment opportunities.
18) Food Insecurity
Prosperity Gardens
This session will provide an overview of Prosperity Gardens and highlight their hands-on approach used to combat food insecurity.