Encouragement – By Jacque Sweat

I wanted to share a word of encouragement with the Family Councils. 

My son with special challenges is now in second grade. I had to fight long and hard starting in preschool to get accommodations for him. I finally was able to establish a 504 Plan for him on the last day of preschool in 2022. We had to take numerous breaks in services for him throughout the years because of cost, and I even had to stop being a stay-at-home mom in order to go back to work to finally dig ourselves out of more medical debt. Fast-forward to the present day and my boy is getting older and is battling mental health issues because kids are realizing he is "different."  

How does this relate to Birth to Five Illinois? Well, because of the work you all have been doing through the years, Governor Pritzker was made aware of the needs and provided an extensive grant to fund counseling services for young children AND THEIR TEACHERS. Do you know how HUGE this is!? Not only is my boy receiving in-school services each week for FREE (with no income requirements/caps), but his teacher also has resources available to her when needed. We are finally able to get him what he needs without adding another bill to the incredibly high cost of living.  

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you have done and ARE doing. It matters. It's working. It's making the difference. Keep fighting the fight and having the hard conversations. And thank you for allowing me to have a very small part in it. I never would have guessed that my minute contributions and collaborations would later benefit our family in such a huge way.