Making Illinois’ Early Childhood Services the Best They Can Be

Join Your Region’s Action or Family Council! 

Birth to Five Illinois works in every community in the State to:

  • Find out how families are accessing local Early Childhood Education and Care services

  • Inform decisionmakers and the community of the Early Childhood Education and Care services families say they need

  • Take action to expand and improve access to local Early Childhood Education and Care services

 
Graphic that reads, Join Your Regional Councils. Ensuring all children and families in Illinois have access to the Early Childhood services they need requires YOU!
 

What is a Council?

A Council is a group of people who meet to work together. Typically, they review information, plan, and make decisions.

What do the Birth to Five Illinois Councils do?

There are 39 Birth to Five Illinois Regions throughout the State, and each Region has its own Family Council and Action Council.

During the first three years, our Council members:

  • Supported local stakeholders in coming together to identify the strengths and determine the Early Childhood needs within their own communities

  • Produced an Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessment for each Region that includes community recommendations for how to improve Early Childhood services for families

  • Supported the community in developing Regional Action Plans based on the recommendations identified in the needs assessments

  • Produced a Mental and Behavioral Health Needs Assessment for each Region featuring stories from families and teachers about their access challenges and successes

This year, the Birth to Five Illinois Councils will:

  • Continue to advocate for the successful implementation of activities identified in the Regional Action Plans (using the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process)

  • Update the Regional Action Plans to address the needs identified in the Mental and Behavioral Health Needs Assessments

  • Continue to deepen relationships with local community stakeholders

  • Continue to support efforts around the development of the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood

Who can participate on the Councils?

We are currently accepting candidates from all Regions of Illinois!

  • Birth to Five Illinois Action Councils: We are recruiting community members with a wide variety of experience, both in and outside Early Childhood Education and Care.

  • Birth to Five Illinois Family Councils: We are recruiting parents and caregivers who have children aged eight and under.

I am interested in joining a Council! What’s next?

The Birth to Five Illinois Council Interest Forms are now open and will be closing on Friday, September 5, 2025, at midnight. Please complete and submit your Interest Form before that time! All Interest Forms will be reviewed by Birth to Five Illinois staff in September. You will be contacted after decisions are made. 

Questions? Or to Request Information in a Language Other than English or Spanish

Please contact us at info@birthtofiveil.com.

I am interested in participating but am unable to join a Council right now. Are there other opportunities?

Yes! Find your county and click on the link below to visit the dedicated page for your Region where you can:

  • Read your Region’s Community Reports

  • Meet your Regional Team

  • Sign up for your Region’s Newsletter

  • Join your Region’s Facebook Group

  • Contact your Regional Council Manager to find out how else you can get involved