Making Illinois’ Early Childhood Services the Best They Can Be

78 Community Councils Across Illinois

Birth to Five Illinois works in every community in the State to:

  • Find out how families are accessing local Early Childhood Education and Care services

  • Inform decisionmakers and the community of the Early Childhood services families say they need

  • Take action to expand and improve access to local Early Childhood services


What is a Council?

A Council is a group of people who meet to work together. Typically, they review information, plan, and make decisions.


Who can participate on the Birth to Five Illinois Councils?

  • Action Councils: Community members and leaders with and without experience in Early Childhood

  • Family Councils: Parents and caregivers of children aged eight and under


What do the Birth to Five Illinois Councils do?

There are 39 Birth to Five Illinois Regions throughout the State, and each Region has its own Family Council and Action Council.

During the first three years, our Council members:

  • Supported local stakeholders in coming together to identify the strengths and determine the Early Childhood needs within their own communities

  • Produced an Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessment for each Region that includes community recommendations for how to improve Early Childhood services for families

  • Supported the community in developing Regional Action Plans based on the recommendations identified in the needs assessments

  • Produced a Mental and Behavioral Health Needs Assessment for each Region featuring stories from families and teachers about their access challenges and successes

This year, the Birth to Five Illinois Councils will:

  • Continue to advocate for the successful implementation of activities identified in the Regional Action Plans (using the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process)

  • Update the Regional Action Plans to address the needs identified in the Mental and Behavioral Health Needs Assessments

  • Review the Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessment to reflect on any major changes in Early Childhood services since it was produced

  • Continue to deepen relationships with local community stakeholders

  • Continue to support efforts around the development of the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood


I am interested in joining a Birth to Five Illinois Council! What’s next?

The Council Interest Forms for this year of service (October 2025 - October 2026) closed on September 5, 2025. Everyone who completed an Interest Form has been contacted. This year's Council members will be posted to each Region's webpage in October.

Interest Forms will reopen in the spring of 2026 for those interested in joining a Council next year (October 2026 - October 2027). Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when the Interest Forms are open.


I am interested in participating now. Are there other opportunities?

Yes! Find your county and click on the link below to visit the dedicated page for your Region where you can:

  • Read your Region’s Community Reports

  • Sign up for your Region’s Newsletter

  • Join your Region’s Facebook Group

  • Contact your Regional Council Manager to find out how else you can get involved