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Spreading the word as we strive for equity
![WMBD 1470’s Greg and Dan Show](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1677095758016-Z5IHZ9CT0FN3NDI38ATA/Felicia++Kari+2-17-23.jpg)
![Early Childhood Grant Aims to Seamlessly Pair Families with Resources](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1676310449662-SVENF95APBUDDSF1BC04/iris.png)
Early Childhood Grant Aims to Seamlessly Pair Families with Resources
ROE26 is using what officials call a “dream come true” grant to make connecting in-need families to social services more efficiently.
![Birth to Five Illinois Hopes to Amplify Community Voices in Child Services](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1675708007816-R87TQ2CC8JTOZNUA3B42/mjc.jpg)
Birth to Five Illinois Hopes to Amplify Community Voices in Child Services
A new infrastructure is trying to address Illinois' early childhood needs at the local level. The infrastructure is designed to bring community, family and provider voices to the forefront of both local and state policy decisions.
![Planning Grants Coverage](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1674580394942-9HHRX2IMXGRL8LC2NG7S/pexels-vlada-karpovich-7031299.jpg)
Planning Grants Coverage
The Birth to Five Illinois Planning Grants are meant to fund the establishment of new Early Childhood Collaborations in areas of the State that do not currently have them. Through these grants, we hope to encourage a systems-level approach to improving Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC).
![PRESS RELEASE: Birth to Five Illinois Awards $575,000 in Planning Grants](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1673989236290-FZ5YXV501RVRG725OVLZ/Planning+Grant+updates.png)
PRESS RELEASE: Birth to Five Illinois Awards $575,000 in Planning Grants
The Planning Grants will reach 9 groups and 22 counties across the State.
![New Effort Targets Youngest Residents](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1673561078388-QMKA6HRUZK3QLQQVSMDR/Untitled+design+%287%29.png)
New Effort Targets Youngest Residents
“Both Action and Family Councils are busy gathering and analyzing data. After the New Year, we will be hosting focus groups and interviews with families, school officials, businesses, child care providers, state and local officials, and other local stakeholders to gather more information to make Illinois the best state for children and families.”
![Birth to Five Opens New Headquarters](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1670268907003-IFLVEV9J3CGIY6GMMAEM/region4.png)
Birth to Five Opens New Headquarters
“This community has a great early childhood support system … there’s always room for improvements.”
![WTYE Radio Interview & PSA with Region 12](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1672781216900-1QXQL7HG3JQ9BKDNGGPI/radionregion12-1.jpg)
![Buenos Días Aurora Interview](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1669230126007-QETK1K7J1NVWNEJFJQ73/gretchen+%281%29.png)
Buenos Días Aurora Interview
Buenos Días Aurora, the first bilingual podcast in the second-largest city of Illinois, interviewed Alicia Hann and David Quiroz.
![Birth To Five Early Education Initiative Opens Headquarters In Loves Park](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1669683278070-9IR4RX0KQEIIJP3UPC47/region4.jpg)
Birth To Five Early Education Initiative Opens Headquarters In Loves Park
An effort is underway in Boone and Winnebago counties to study the strengths and shortcomings of early education here in order to build a more equitable and accessible system.
![A Call to “STEPUP” for Early Childhood Development](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1669682904423-6CNF00O6BNGO9XEKT6MU/step-up-nov-22.jpg)
A Call to “STEPUP” for Early Childhood Development
Tammy Pollitt from Birth to Five Illinois mentioned that throughout the county there are over 6,000 children under the age of six, but only about 1,200 are in some kind of early development or pre-K program.
![Birth to Five Illinois designed to address early childhood gaps in Fulton, Hancock, McDonough and Schuyler counties](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1667418926089-UHFRX48DE79YZ5T65BWC/paul-lacie-shannon-26.png)
Birth to Five Illinois designed to address early childhood gaps in Fulton, Hancock, McDonough and Schuyler counties
Birth to Five Illinois also is looking for parents/family members caring for a child under the age of 8. People who are passionate about creating more opportunities for young children and families are invited to explore joining a Family Council.
![Birth to Five Illinois: Region 53 seeks to revolutionize child care, education at the local level](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1667418391545-F4QL5DV1LZUS3AVL3IH7/53.jpg)
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 53 seeks to revolutionize child care, education at the local level
In combination with statistical data, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 53 is gathering parents from Tazewell, Mason and Woodford counties to form a Family Council, in which they can share critical input regarding the needs of their children.
![WVL, WGFA, and STAR Radio Interviews with Liz Gibson](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1666806662719-JPSUFNA1BKYMEN82TA7T/radio2.jpg)
WVL, WGFA, and STAR Radio Interviews with Liz Gibson
Listen to interviews with the Regional Council Manager for Region 32!
![94.9 WDKB Radio Interview with Gretchen Sprinkle](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1667425435701-2ZMAKXXY0VF539VS38U2/gretchen.png)
94.9 WDKB Radio Interview with Gretchen Sprinkle
Listen to an interview with the Family and Community Engagement Specialist for Region 16, DeKalb County!
![Birth to Five Illinois amplifying family voice in Franklin, Johnson, Massac, Williamson counties](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1667412565299-5I7J1SDMYTCMLNGJ9WPZ/Vienna.jpg)
Birth to Five Illinois amplifying family voice in Franklin, Johnson, Massac, Williamson counties
This equity-driven statewide regional system is comprised of staff and local councils that will amplify family, provider and community voices in the state policy-making process and give local and state leaders a more accurate understanding of the early childhood gaps in each region.
![Birth to Five Illinois holds grand opening for Vienna location](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1667408467508-7OR6CMB96RYNSI71B1C9/GrandOpening21.jpg)
Birth to Five Illinois holds grand opening for Vienna location
"It is our goal to make sure racism no longer plays a part in child success so we want to remove those barriers and harness information directly from families and providers as we move forward…”
![PRESS RELEASE: Birth to Five Illinois Awards $2.5 Million in Implementation Grants](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1667350759297-88Q6UGQB4NPW4GLHJUVO/grants+news.png)
PRESS RELEASE: Birth to Five Illinois Awards $2.5 Million in Implementation Grants
The Implementation Grants will reach 20 groups and 35 counties across the State.
![Initiative targets improving early childhood education, care](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1667419477803-YB50R3JMVM3EZRGUWJR1/jacqui.png)
Initiative targets improving early childhood education, care
“We want to make sure families and communities are at the center of our decision-making. We hope for big things.”
![A New Statewide System Seeks to Improve Access and Equity around Early Childhood Education and Care](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ba6b3017614378f01ce468/1667351874331-BGBTSTRIY2UDLU8H90SV/pexels-gustavo-fring-4172981.jpg)
A New Statewide System Seeks to Improve Access and Equity around Early Childhood Education and Care
"We need to hear from everybody so we can make sure that we're partnering with you to really advocate for what you need.”