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.
Mayor Spotlights Early Childhood Development at Memorial Child Care Ceremony
Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher led a proclamation ceremony to celebrate “Week of the Young Child” as part of a collaboration between Birth to Five Illinois: Region 51, Memorial Health, and the City of Springfield.
Commission Hears Complaint Concerning Assessor (and Updates from Birth to Five Illinois)
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 21 Family & Community Engagement Specialist and two Family Council members met with the Massac County Commission to discuss their progress in Franklin, Johnson, Massac, and Williamson Counties.
Scott Receives Grant to Boost Early Childhood Education
The Birth to Five Illinois Planning Grant awarded to the Scott County Health Department is expected to help connect families to Early Childhood Education services and improve programs.
Community Invited to Early Childhood Resource Launch and Regional Action Plan Update
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 47 and the Sauk Valley STARS Early Childhood Coalition invite community members to a regional meeting focused on early childhood development efforts across Ogle, Whiteside, and Lee Counties.
A 100-year-old Rockford Childcare Center Abruptly Closed. If There's Such a Need for Childcare, Why Can't Centers Stay Open?
Two Action Council Members from the Birth to Five Illinois: Region 4 (Boone & Winnebago Counties) Councils were interviewed for this NPR article about the dire need for child care in the area but the challenges in keeping these critical businesses open to serve children and families.
SIUE Participates in National Week of the Young Child
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) partners with Birth to Five Illinois: Regions 50 (St. Clair County) and 41 (Madison County), Brightpoint, Madison County Alliance for Children & Families and the Metro East Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children for the National Week of the Young Child.
ROE 13 Eyes Funding for Pre-K Programs
Regional Office of Education (ROE) 13 announces that they have been awarded new subcontract with Birth to Five Illinois to continue funding important Early Childhood programs in Jefferson, Clinton, Marion and Washington Counties.
Birth to Five Illinois Seeks to Build Connections with Diverse Voices
Listen to Birth to Five Illinois: Region 49 Council Manager, Emily Cummings, and Family & Community Engagement Specialist, Heather Anderson, talk about the goals for this statewide system the Action Plan focus of their local Councils in Rock Island County, and how community members can get involved!
PRESS RELEASE: Birth to Five Illinois Awards Another Round of $3 Million
Announcing an additional $3,075,000 awarded to support both existing and new Local Early Childhood Collaborations across the State!
Lewis and Clark Launches New Human Services AAS Degree
Recommendation 1 in the Birth to Five Illinois: Region 41 (Madison County) Action Plan is to, “Build a community infrastructure to support additional teachers, support staff, specialists, and Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) slots.” This new AAS degree at Lewis and Clark marks tremendous progress!
BuildingBN Podcast #93: Birth to Five Illinois’ Melissa Breeden
Melissa Breeden, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 17 Council Manager (DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean Counties) talks all things Early Childhood Education and Care (child care affordability, workforce development, community building, etc.) on the Building BN podcast.
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,.”
About 700 Parents in La Salle, Marshall, Putnam Counties Say They Would Work If Child Care Was Available: Study Shows the Economic Boost Would Be Significant
The Regional Office of Education #35 Early Childhood Collaboration used FY24 Birth to Five Illinois funding to create a study to discover how lack of child care impacts the local workforce and economy of La Salle, Marshall, and Putnam Counties. The study shows the economic boost would be significant.
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 24 Feature in the True North February Digital Magazine
True North, a local Grundy County antique shop, featured Birth to Five Illinois in “Tribe”, their February 2025 digital magazine!
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.
The South Suburban News Proudly Presents: The 2025 Black Women of Excellence
The South Suburban News proudly presents the 2025 Black Women of Excellence, which includes Region 1-B-C (South Cook County) Council Manager, Ashonti Jackson, and Administrative Support, Leah M. Armour!
Testimonial: How 211 Helps Our Community
Recommendation 3 in the Region 51 Action Plan is to, “Launch a 211 campaign through United Way that includes social media, community outreach, and enrollment in the 211 system.” Watch Birth to Five Illinois staff member Amber’s testimonial in support of this effort.
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!
Another WCCI In Touch Interview with Birth to Five Illinois: Region 8
Lou Ann Hayes (Region 8 Council Manager) returns to WCCI to discuss child care as foundational to community and economic well-being, as well as the critical need for more child care options in Carroll, Jo Daviess, and Stephenson Counties.
Testimonial: How 211 Helps Our Community
Recommendation 3 in the Region 51 Action Plan is to, “Launch a 211 campaign through United Way that includes social media, community outreach, and enrollment in the 211 system.” Watch Family Council member Samantha’s testimonial in support of this effort.