Making Illinois’ Early Childhood services the best they can be

Year Two Council Work is Underway!

Thank you for your interest in the Birth to Five Illinois Councils! We have established Council membership for Year Two of our work to improve Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) programs and services in every community in the State!

If you are interested in getting involved with the work of our Councils, find your county and click on the link below to visit the dedicated page for your Region where you can:

  • Read the Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessment for your community

  • Meet your Regional Team

  • See who is serving on your Region’s Action Council and Family Council

  • Sign up for your Regional Newsletter

  • Join your Region’s Facebook Group

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

If you are unsure of your Region, visit our map page.

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 our first year, we focused on:

  • Establishing membership for our inaugural Action Councils and Family Councils

  • Hosting focus groups and interviews to hear from as many community members as possible

  • Supporting local stakeholders in coming together to identify the strengths and determine the early childhood needs within their own communities

  • Producing a report for each Region that includes community recommendations for how to improve early childhood services for families

In year two, Councils will:

  • Share their Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessments with the community to gather additional input

  • Expand on the year one report to include information, such as mental health, that is central to whole child development

  • Support the community in developing an Action Plan based on the recommendations identified in the Needs Assessment

  • Continue to build relationships with local community stakeholders

A circle diagram displaying who makes up the Birth to Five Illinois Action Councils and Family Councils. Parents, Caregivers & Families, Local Collaborations, and more.

Who can participate on the Councils?

Each Birth to Five Illinois Action Council has around 15 members and includes a wide variety of experience including but not limited to:

  • Family Child Care Staff

  • Early Childhood Educators/Home Visitors/Early Intervention Providers

  • Higher Education Employees

  • CCR&R/Coordinated Entry Staff

  • Business Owner/Chamber of Commerce Members

  • Members of a Faith Community

  • Other

  • Parents/Family Members

  • Community Members from an Underrepresented Population

  • Local Early Childhood or Education Collaboration Members

  • Bilingual/English as a Second Language (ESL) Specialists

  • Staff from a Regional Office of Education

  • Local School District (Board Members/Superintendent Office Staff)  

  • Local or County Elected Officials

  • Head Start or Child Care Center Staff

Families who have children ages eight and under can also apply to join their area’s Birth to Five Illinois Family Council. Family Councils also each have around 15 members.

Questions

Please contact us at info@birthtofiveil.com.