Spreading the word as we strive for equity
New Report Identifies Key Needs to Improve Childcare Access in Greater Peoria
Read and/or listen to a WCBU interview with Kari Clark and Felicia Farden, the Regional Managers overseeing Peoria, Mason, Tazewell, and Woodford counties for Birth to Five Illinois!
IECAM Data Guides Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessments
The Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map (IECAM) publishes the release of the Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessments, which were guided by available IECAM data.
Shannon McKee & Paul Larson Talk on Elevating the Voices of Families to Improve Early Childhood
Listen to the Region 26 staff talk with WCAZ Radio News about their Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessment findings and recommendations!
New ‘Birth to Five’ Report Highlights Gaps in Central Illinois Child Care
Watch and read the interview with Kari Clark, Region 48 Council Manager, and Felicia Farden, Region 53 Council Manager, on 25 News Now!
Report Looks at Early Childhood Staffing and Capacity Needs in McLean County and Nearby Counties
Read and/or listen to a WGLT interview with the Region 17 Council Manager and an Action Council Member about family- and community-identified Early Childhood needs in DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean Counties.
Birth to Five Illinois on WGLT: The Leadoff
Listen to Region 17’s Council Manager & Action Council Member on WGLT’s The Leadoff Daily Podcast.
Lack of Childcare in Region Affects Working Parents
Read the article in the Macomb Community News Brief, in which Region 26 Family & Community Engagement Specialist, Shannon McKee, discusses the ECEC needs in her Region.
Birth to Five Illinois Vivo En Buenos Días Aurora
Buenos Días Aurora, the first bilingual podcast in the second-largest city of Illinois, interviewed Alicia Hann and David Quiroz for a second time about the work of Birth to Five Illinois.
Edna Navarro-Vidaurre Interviewed on CAN TV Live Programming
Watch the interview! Maryville Administrator, Amy Kendal, talks with Edna Navarro-Vidaurre, Region 1-A Council Manager, on the live streamed issue of Maryville Cares!
Birth to Five Illinois Helps Families as Their Child Develops - On-Air Interview with 23 WIFR News
Watch two members of the Region 4 Team in an on-air interview with WIFR News!
PRESS RELEASE: Birth to Five Illinois Publishes Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessments
Birth to Five Illinois has published 39 Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessments, now available to both local communities and state leaders. The assessments reflect the strengths and needs in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) service landscape at the regional level.
Learn More about Early Childhood Needs in DeKalb County at Upcoming Town Hall
Region 16 staff discusses the child care crisis and what DeKalb County is doing to collect community voice and share it with state-level decision makers.
94.9 WDKB Radio Interview with Gretchen Sprinkle
Listen to an interview with Gretchen Sprinkle, the new Regional Council Manager for Region 16 (DeKalb County)!
Birth to Five Illinois - WTAX News Interview
Listen to an interview with Ashley Earles, Birth to Five Illinois Region 51 Council Manager!
A Day Without Child Care - 94.9 WDKB Radio Interview
Today is a special advocacy day called “A Day Without Child Care.” What is the impact on the community and economy if child care weren’t available?
How to Find Child Care in Bloomington-Normal
Bloomington-Normal has seen a lot of transplants move to town in recent years. And for those with little kids, the hunt for child care can be as important as finding a home or a job.
Free Developmental Check-ups for Kids in Champaign County
Free developmental check-ups throughout Champaign County for children ages birth to five during the month of April!
Senate Early Childhood Education Committee Meeting
Birth to Five Illinois provided in-person testimony in Springfield at the newly formed Senate Early Childhood Committee meeting. Liz Gibson, Region 32, discussed the importance of a mixed delivery system in eliminating preschool deserts.
Child Care Press Conference
In Springfield, members of our Birth to Five Illinois: Region 51 Action Council and Family Council shared their perspectives on the need for accessible, affordable early childhood programs for their families and for children.
Illinois Just Made Big Early Childhood Investments. But Services Like Daycare and Preschool are Nearly Impossible for Many Families to Access.
We know this from neuroscience and from brain development that the better start we can give children, the better the outcomes for children. For many in early childhood, it’s refreshing to see the state begin to take it seriously.