New Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Community Needs Assessments Set

July 3, 2024

Original coverage in Iroquois County’s Times-Republic.

The new Early Childhood Needs Assessments: Focus on Mental & Behavioral Health feature data and stories from families and Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) providers about their challenges and successes accessing Mental and Behavioral Health services and supports is set, according to information provided.

Mental and Behavioral Health was a prominent and reoccurring need identified across the 39 Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessments, released in June 2023. True to collective impact, with the focus on Mental and Behavioral Health as a shared agenda, the Birth to Five Illinois Action Councils, Family Councils, and Regional Teams engaged thousands of community members statewide to identify the available Mental and Behavioral Health services, who can access them, and what the referral process looks like for both families and ECEC professionals in each of the State’s regions.

“The feedback received throughout the State in our initial reports, along with the Governor’s Smart Start Illinois initiative and the State’s focus on children’s Mental Health, solidified our goal to better understand these issues at the community level,” said Leslie Price, Data Strategist for Birth to Five Illinois.

A community member from Region 20 shared, “These days, we are seeing children come in at a very young age who have experienced trauma. We are not equipped through our basic training to deal with some of the behavioral issues. We need some training on how best to interact with children in these scenarios.”

“The stories in these reports reflect the work we still need to do,” said Cicely L. Fleming, Director, Birth to Five Illinois. “We thank everyone for their vulnerability and for trusting us to share their experiences. Our hope is that this information will be used to strengthen the network of Mental and Behavioral Health supports for all children and families throughout the State.”

Each of the 39 reports includes a Mental and Behavioral Health landscape analysis, regional strengths and needs, focused sections featuring quotes and experiences of local families and ECEC professionals, and community-driven recommendations for how to meet the identified needs.

The Early Childhood Needs Assessments: Focus on Mental & Behavioral Health maybe found at: www.birthtofiveil.com/reports/#mbh.