See what local families say they need for their children across the State
Family Stories
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.
- Region 1
- Region 1-A
- Region 1-B-B
- Region 1-B-C
- Region 1-B-D
- Region 3
- Region 4
- Region 8
- Region 9
- Region 11
- Region 12
- Region 13
- Region 16
- Region 17
- Region 19
- Region 20
- Region 21
- Region 24
- Region 26
- Region 28
- Region 30
- Region 31
- Region 32
- Region 33
- Region 34
- Region 35
- Region 39
- Region 40
- Region 41
- Region 44
- Region 45
- Region 47
- Region 48
- Region 49
- Region 50
- Region 51
- Region 53
- Region 54
The Road Less Traveled to Transition - By Dena Chapman
…while children are matriculating through their transitions, so too are their parents and caregivers!
What We Need - Danielle Jackson
It is cheaper for me to drive 1,100 miles a month to take my kids to my family to watch them…
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
Early Childhood Education has been a huge blessing to my child and myself.
Family Council Impact: Region 17
“As a stay at home mom, I’ve learned a lot of things that my kids are not missing but that they needed help with.”
17 Years Searching for Quality Child Care, and Still More to Go! - By Anonymous
We have also had instances where one child was at a home-based child care center in one part of the county, and another one was at a different home-based child care center simply because there weren't openings for both of them in the same place or any others.
All-in Advocacy - By Lisa Burnett (Mother to Livia Bane, Region 4 Council Manager)
When the cry for help came to encourage lawmakers to continue to fund child care and providers, my family and I were all-in.
Family Council Impact: Region 13
“I’m a young mom and I try my best every day.”
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.
Finding Day Care - By Erica Hanke-Young
I feel like the thing we need most is information on child care early enough for us to make a plan. I will need information and enough time to figure out what to do for our family.
First Experiences as New Parents in a New Environment - By Grace Keller, Levi Alexander, and Walker Alexander
Finding the Birth to Five Illinois Family Council has been the greatest success in helping me start my journey as a mother and to find quality care for our son.
Providers Need Love Too! - By Jasmine Castro
My greatest success has been the EXCEPTIONAL experiences my toddler has had with his provider.
Lack of Reliable Child Care - By Kelley
Six years later, I still have not returned to the workforce because of issues with child care.
With Open Arms - By Birth to Five Illinois: Region 4 Staff
Lisa’s energy for providing quality child care and good jobs within her community is inspiring.
Shelli Badger, Someone You Should Know! - By David
I have been fortunate enough to work closely with an exceptional Speech and Language provider in our school district, #129.
The Love That Sparked My Passion - By Brittany Lemons
I still see her smiling face in pictures and wonder about all the many lives she's touched with her kindness.
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.
Long-Distance Child Care - By Cheyenne Camden
My greatest challenge is child care. It prohibits me from working full time.
Single Stay-At-Home-Mother of 4 - By Kaitlin Heinz
My family definitely needs trustworthy and high-quality child care that is affordable! There is virtually NO OPTION in my town!
The Balancing Act of Child Care and Work, With No Options - By Anonymous
I need access to child care in our area, quality child care that is open actual working hours and has the ability to take school-age children, even if they have days off from school.
Early Intervention is Key! - By Ashley Scott
All I have is positivity for what these programs can do to help our children.
Just When I Think My Work as Grandma is Slowing Down, They Start to Call Me Great - By Sandy Hyde
Our area needs more support for grandparents raising grandchildren. We also need more activities for children of all ages to do.
Therapy is Not a Dirty Word – By Ashley Hurn
Therapy is not a dirty word. If children need it and have access to it, let them get the therapy.
Family Council Impact: Region 28
“We have brought a lot of awareness to families of programs.”
Epilepsy – By Marisa
From the moment we connected with this organization, we felt seen, heard, and supported.
The Journey – By Elizabeth Scott
After just days of working in child care, I fell in love.
Everyone Deserves to Be Treated with Respect - By Sara Farmer
There needs to be more of a support system in place for parents and their children.
Needing to Help Our Children - Even Through the State – By Kaitlin Perkins
Her therapist left at the end of July and the only options that Early Intervention could offer us were video appointments or traveling further than we wanted.
Small Group – By Heather Alexander
A safe space to engage...
We Need More Attention on Mental Health in Early Childhood Education & Care Settings – By Anonymous
We also need child care options equipped to offer support for students who have mental or behavioral health concerns.