Spreading the Word as We Strive for Equity
Scroll down to read all Birth to Five Illinois news coverage, or you can click to read the coverage from your Region.
Dixon's Preschool Offerings to Expand in New Program with 80 Slots, 4 Rooms at Lovett Center and Open Sesame
New ECEC program opens in Region 47! “The ROE 47 partnered with Birth to Five Illinois, a program aimed at improving early childhood education, to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment across the counties, looking to find out if there really was a shortage and if it was negatively affecting those in the community,.”
Bloomington Woman Plans to Open Inclusive Farmhouse Child Care Center
Melissa Breeden, Region 17 Council Manager representing DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean Counties, discusses some of the challenges Early Childhood providers face as part of this WGLT article.
Family Matters Parent Training & Information Center (PTIC) Podcast: Ann Oswalt
In this podcast, Ann Oswalt, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 12 Manager and Family Matters Board Member, talks about the importance of Early Intervention, supports for caregivers of children with special needs, the community-centered work of Birth to Five Illinois, and more!
Improving Early Childhood Education in Forgottonia with Birth to Five Illinois: Region 26
In this podcast, all three members of the Birth to Five Illinois: Region 26 Team share how they are addressing Early Childhood Education challenges in rural areas by collaborating with schools, families, and local organizations.
Birth to Five Illinois Works to Improve Access to Early Childhood Education
This Collinsville Daily News article outlines what Birth to Five Illinois is doing across the State and highlights the biggest challenges families are facing in Madison County.
Report: Elevate Will County - Child Care Provider Grants
Birth to Five Illinois partnered with the Will County Board to develop and administer the Elevate Will County – Child Care Provider Grant using Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) funds that originated from the sale of recreational cannabis. Read the report!
Birth to Five Illinois Supports Early Childhood Development in Fulton County
The November 2024 Furgottonia Times™ Report features the work of Birth to Five Illinois: Region 26 (Fulton, Hancock, McDonough, and Schuyler Counties), highlighting a major win for children in Canton and the organization’s recognition of the integral role caregivers play in a child’s development.
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 9 & Region 54 on WBGL Radio
Listen to this WBGL radio interview! Our Regional Council Managers representing Vermilion, Ford, and Champaign Counties talk about the collective impact work their Birth to Five Illinois Councils are leading to better support local children and their families
Official Says More Action Needed in Early Childhood Reform
Janice Crow, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 20 Council Manager, attends the Harrisburg City Council meeting to provide updates on the efforts to reshape Early Childhood Education and Care in Southern Illinois.
WCCI In Touch Interview with Lou Ann Hayes from Birth to Five Illinois: Region 8
Lou Ann Hayes returns to WCCI to discuss how her Team and community Councils have moved the needle on the needs and recommendations in their Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessment.
How Does Poverty Affect Students in East St. Louis? Here are 5 Things to Know
At an in-person event with East St. Louis community members, educators, elected officials, and others, Stephanie Herling, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 50 Council Manager, discussed the top Early Childhood and Mental and Behavioral Health needs identified across St. Clair County and East St. Louis.
Freepod Interviews Lou Ann Hayes
FREEPOD and TimBeck2 host Tim Connors speaks with Lou Ann Hayes of Birth to Five Illinois in Freeport, a statewide organization providing equitable access to inclusive, high-quality Early Childhood services for all children and families in Illinois.
Birth to Five Illinois Begins Rolling Out Action Plan
Amy Robinson, Region 3 Council Manager, and Meghan Rewers, Region 3 Action Council member and Crisis Nursery of Effingham Executive Director, share about the work Birth to Five Illinois is doing to make ECEC more inclusive and accessible for all community members in Bond, Christian, Effingham, Fayette, and Montgomery Counties.
'It's Very Sad': Reports Detail the Lack of Mental and Behavioral Health Providers for Northern Illinois Kids
NPR’s Peter Medlin interviews the Birth to Five Illinois Regional Council Managers from Region 4 (Boone & Winnebago Counties) and Region 8 (Carroll, Jo Daviess, & Stephenson Counties) about the mental and behavioral health gaps and needs in northern Illinois.
Advocates Identify Ways to Improve Youth Behavioral Health Services in Peoria Area
WCBU interviews Birth to Five Illinois: Region 48 Family Council member, Flo James, Council Manager, Kari Clark, and Region 53 Council Manager, Felicia Farden, about what families say they need to improve local access to mental and behavioral health supports.
Report Documents Behavioral Health Needs of Schools in McLean and Neighboring Counties
WGLT interviews Region 17 Council Manager, Carol Weisheit, about the Early Childhood Needs Assessment: Focus on Mental & Behavioral Health for DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean Counties.
New Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Community Needs Assessments Set
Iroquois County’s Times-Republic covers the release of the Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Needs Assessments: Focus on Mental & Behavioral Health!
Buenos Dias Aurora: David Quiroz Jr. y Birth to Five Illinois
Gracias Buenos Días Aurora por entrevistar una vez más al Equipo de la Región 31 sobre su trabajo en el Condado de Kane. / Thank you Buenos Dias Aurora for once again interviewing the Region 31 Team about their work in Kane County.
PRESS RELEASE: New Birth to Five Illinois Community Needs Assessments
Announcing the release of the Early Childhood Needs Assessments: Focus on Mental & Behavioral Health, featuring data and stories from families and ECEC providers about their challenges and successes accessing Mental and Behavioral Health services and supports.
Action Plan Aims to Boost Public Awareness about Early Childhood and Child Care – and How Little Its Workers are Paid
In this interview with WGLT, Carol Weisheit, Region 17 Council Manager (Dewitt, Livingston, Logan & McLean Counties) discusses the issues local children, families, and providers face and how their Regional Action Plan is working to address them.