Share. Listen. Learn.
Family & Community Stories
Birth to Five Illinois® has created a space for families and community members in every Illinois Region to share their experiences with local Early Childhood programs and services. Through stories about challenges and successes, we can identify the issues and work together to mend what is broken, while also celebrating what is working.
Building a Village When Systems Fall Short – By Cynthia
During that time, we navigated long waitlists, limited program options, and frequent schedule adjustments to provide our children with as much stability as possible.
Summer Child Care – By Toree
Trying to find child care in my area that aligns with my schedule and pay scale has been so hard.
Child Care Crisis Causing Families to Be Unable to Work – By Anonymous
The grant is a band aid, helping in one area, but it is not a one solution fix all.
Choosing to Be the Good: A Story of Resilience, Faith, and Family – By Kathleen Cousineau
I have always believed in being the good I wished to see in the world.
Overcoming the Struggles – By Steffanie
I struggled for years trying to juggle being a full-time mom and having some kind of income to support my kids.
Great Resources vs. Ability to Access Resources - By Inari Rivera
I moved to this area in 2005, and I have had 3 children since.
Foundations of Hope: How Early Education Changed Our Path – By Latrese Luton
One challenge my family has faced with Early Childhood Education and Care services in our community is access and affordability.
A Family of 3 Amazing Boys – By Michelle Strom
The joys of two working parents raising a family of three boys in an area that has limited resources is never for the weak. If that got your attention, keep on reading!
A Mother's Choice: Finding the Perfect Balance in Child Care and Career – By Brittany Nielsen
I know firsthand how hard it is to trust others with your child, and now, as a leader in early childhood education, I strive to create an environment where parents feel safe, heard, and supported—because I’ve been in their shoes.
Overstimulation - By Anonymous
Our son was diagnosed with Autism. That's where it stopped. There were no resources or services offered, not even a list of resources.
The Struggles of a Single Mom - By the Durbin Family
Child care waiting lists are so long, and the cost for public, private, licensed, and/or unlicensed care is wild.
Region 53: What Families Say They Need
"Child care is expensive out of pocket. Not all families qualify for CCAP due to making too much money but could use the help."
Region 44: What Families Say They Need
"We can't open the economy until we open the child care centers…"
Region 34: What Families Say They Need
"Raising kids costs money! Families cannot afford to raise children in our Region without assistance."
Region 31: What Families Say They Need
"When you don't quality for help, there isn't anything out there for you. You have to be able to pay for it on your own…"
Region 24: What Families Say They Need
"…the bottom line here is that the threshold for income qualifications should be increased to fit the needs of families."
Region 21: What Families Say They Need
"As a staff person from a child care center, the $1 copay (for staff that would quality for the Child Care Assistance Program) has allowed me to reenter the workforce in a profession that I love."
Region 20: What Families Say They Need
"Early Intervention services are extremely limited, because there are currently no professionals in some of our communities…"
Region 19: What Families Say They Need
"The system needs to adapt to the needs of families, and logistical barriers should not be a reason a child misses accessing needed services."