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See what local families say they need for their children across the State
Family Stories
Birth to Five Illinois is on a mission to shift the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) landscape across Illinois by centering the voices and experiences of families. Where there are families, there are stories: stories of bureaucracy and systemic shortcomings, and stories of families and children thriving in the face of compassionate providers and exemplary services. We are here for it all!
Birth to Five Illinois has created this welcoming space for parents and caregivers to share their family story of ECEC challenges and successes. It is our hope that as families share their stories, we will amplify the disparities in the system so we can work collectively and strategically to mend what is broken, while also celebrating what’s working.
If you have a story to share, please visit our submission page.
![Is Anyone Really Out There to Help – By Sinah Gosnell ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1687793613801-2GMYV43KB2AKFF3GCR96/64C728EB-1B88-49EE-9E6D-5CECEE662B23.jpeg)
Is Anyone Really Out There to Help – By Sinah Gosnell
What we need most are people who will listen and tell us where to find services.
![Inclusive Care for All Children - By Aurea Garvin](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1687793087220-KP717Y9IS94NNWV6NGWT/Aurea+Gavin.png)
Inclusive Care for All Children - By Aurea Garvin
All children deserve a chance to grow, learn, and thrive regardless of how much their parents make.
![Delaying Services Through Lack of Referral - By Mackenzie McWade](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1687792055574-SOCH1G69BUUNPCZGALY4/Mackenzie+McWade.jpeg)
Delaying Services Through Lack of Referral - By Mackenzie McWade
The doctor’s dismissal of any issue was enough to make me feel like I was being paranoid…
![The Road Less Traveled to Transition - By Dena Chapman](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1682958575308-YSPQDI77ZJN0E5F7Y0T1/family+stories+eblast+april+2023.png)
The Road Less Traveled to Transition - By Dena Chapman
…while children are matriculating through their transitions, so too are their parents and caregivers!
![Pros/Cons of My Child’s Experience with Early Childhood – By Tiffany McSpadden ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1682436602210-7IAW526TQBHZ1BZ3YXB6/Tiffany+McSpadden.jpeg)
Pros/Cons of My Child’s Experience with Early Childhood – By Tiffany McSpadden
I feel the longer kids engage in learning, the better off they will be.
![Educational Love - By Anonymous ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1682718958927-6156Y71TVKFX3C3JCODS/pexels-anastasia-shuraeva-4513218.jpg)
Educational Love - By Anonymous
Early Childhood Education has been a huge blessing to my child and myself.
![Early Childhood and Beyond - By Krystle Huelsmann](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1682109797089-PSVM5YDB7O4C3NDC90HX/krystle.jpg)
Early Childhood and Beyond - By Krystle Huelsmann
I want to know which programs are best for different diagnosis, what child care options support those with diagnoses, and how to navigate through the financial ends of each; those would be my top searches.
![Lack of Reliable Child Care - By Kelley](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1680551616554-L36Z6Q4T8V3MNC3H51SF/kelley.jpg)
Lack of Reliable Child Care - By Kelley
Six years later, I still have not returned to the workforce because of issues with child care.
![The Advocacy Fight for Children with Challenges - By Jacqueline S.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1682102869864-WI66WCEXIUZ58UB5NUZW/Jacqueline%2C+Normal%2C+Region+17.jpg)
The Advocacy Fight for Children with Challenges - By Jacqueline S.
It's exhausting trying to make ends meet when we're essentially being penalized for having a child with special needs.
![Early Intervention is Key! - By Ashley Scott](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1675267214621-6Q7OFZJO8W2PQR6ASPKG/Ashley+Scott-+My+Story.jpg)
Early Intervention is Key! - By Ashley Scott
All I have is positivity for what these programs can do to help our children.
![Lack of Specialized Support for All Ages Makes Life Hard - By Frustrated Mom of Nonverbal Child with Autism and Epilepsy](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1670520877287-QE0JVC5WC0GMNHGMHOUI/frustrated-mom-pexels-rene-asmussen-13710211.jpg)
Lack of Specialized Support for All Ages Makes Life Hard - By Frustrated Mom of Nonverbal Child with Autism and Epilepsy
Specialists are either not available in our area or we find one but then the whole branch is eliminated since we are not Chicago…
![Special Needs for Special Kids - By Molly Krebel](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1670521324218-JZGI9B57ZS9I0O3XMOLQ/molly.jpg)
Special Needs for Special Kids - By Molly Krebel
Parents should not feel excluded for having children with special needs.
![We’re All in This Together - By Sonya Clark](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1680551283120-BNLP8T5XO2VTZI073YTE/SClark.jpg)
We’re All in This Together - By Sonya Clark
The closest place that will provide ABA therapy is in St. Louis (two hours away).
![Your Voice is Important - By Beth Ward](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1680550563580-JQP6IOFT13Q3D8OG8RBP/BethWard.jpeg)
Your Voice is Important - By Beth Ward
Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their clinical diagnosis.