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.
Letter to the Editor: Efforts Aim to Build Stronger Families
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 1-B-D (Cook County North) submitted a Letter to the Editor about how their collective impact efforts are leading to real impacts for local families.
DuPage Leaders Uniting to Prioritize Early Childhood Mental Health
NCTV17 covers the DuPage County Early Childhood Mental Health Symposium, co-hosted by Birth to Five Illinois: Region 19, the DuPage County Health Department, and KidsMatter.
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 51 on the Elevate Springfield Podcast
Ashley Earles, Region 51 Council Manager, talks about the goal and impact of Birth to Five Illinois across the State and in Menard and Sangamon Counties.
DuPage Groups to Host Early Childhood Mental Health Symposium
The Chicagoland Journal publicizes the upcoming DuPage County Early Childhood Mental Health Symposium, co-hosted by Birth to Five Illinois: Region 19, the DuPage County Health Department, and KidsMatter.
Open Line ON DEMAND – Birth to Five Illinois
Janice Crow, Region 20 Council Manager, and Maude Harrison, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 20 Family Council member, talk on-air about the community-driven family support efforts they are leading in Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, and White Counties!
Illinois Kids' Future: Inside Birth to Five Illinois with Nicole Bach
Check out Nicole Bach, Region 44 Council Manager (McHenry County), talking about everything from her personal commitment to advancing Early Childhood Education, strategies for meaningful community engagement in the Early Childhood sector, and the core mission and groundbreaking work of Birth to Five Illinois!
Birth to Five Illinois: Vermilion Advantage Member of the Month (July 2025)
The three members of the Birth to Five Illinois: Region 54 Team (Vermilion County) were featured as the July 2025 Vermilion Advantage Member of the Month on WITY !
Local Agency Advocating for Early Childhood Education in Knox, Warren, Mercer, and Henderson Counties
Jim Walters (Regional Council Manager) and Alli Chasteen (Family & Community Engagement Specialist) for Region 33 talk with The Burg about all the work underway, and what’s to come, to support children and families in Henderson, Knox, Mercer, Warren Counties.
Kankakee County Health Department “Who Knew?” Podcast with Liz Gibson, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 32
Listen to Liz Gibson (Region 32 Council Manager) talk all things Birth to Five Illinois in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. She is interviewed by Kailee Zito, Health Promotion Coordinator for the Kankakee County Health Department and Region 32 Action Council member.
Illini Media Group Features Birth to Five Illinois on the Focus News & Public Affairs Podcast
Region 9 Council Manager (Jill Duden) and Family & Community Engagement Specialist (Melissa Watson) talk all things Birth to Five Illinois on this episode of the Focus News & Public Affairs Podcast.
Erikson Institute Early Childhood Leadership Academy Get on the Early Childhood Bus - Episode 9: 2025 ECLA Summit
The Birth to Five Illinois community reports from Illinois’ 39 Regions are mentioned in this Erikson Institute Early Childhood Leadership Academy podcast.
Improving Early Childhood Education in Forgottonia with Birth to Five Illinois: Region 26
In this podcast, all three members of the Birth to Five Illinois: Region 26 Team share how they are addressing Early Childhood Education challenges in rural areas by collaborating with schools, families, and local organizations.
Birth to Five Illinois Works to Improve Access to Early Childhood Education
This Collinsville Daily News article outlines what Birth to Five Illinois is doing across the State and highlights the biggest challenges families are facing in Madison County.
Heritage Shares Details of Planned Decatur Location with Community
Heather Seitz, Region 39 Council Manager serving Macon and Piatt Counties, shares her enthusiasm for the new Heritage Behavioral Health Center location in the Northgate Mall site in Decatur.
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 9 & Region 54 on WBGL Radio
Listen to this WBGL radio interview! Our Regional Council Managers representing Vermilion, Ford, and Champaign Counties talk about the collective impact work their Birth to Five Illinois Councils are leading to better support local children and their families
Official Says More Action Needed in Early Childhood Reform
Janice Crow, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 20 Council Manager, attends the Harrisburg City Council meeting to provide updates on the efforts to reshape Early Childhood Education and Care in Southern Illinois.
WCCI In Touch Interview with Lou Ann Hayes from Birth to Five Illinois: Region 8
Lou Ann Hayes returns to WCCI to discuss how her Team and community Councils have moved the needle on the needs and recommendations in their Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessment.
How Does Poverty Affect Students in East St. Louis? Here are 5 Things to Know
At an in-person event with East St. Louis community members, educators, elected officials, and others, Stephanie Herling, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 50 Council Manager, discussed the top Early Childhood and Mental and Behavioral Health needs identified across St. Clair County and East St. Louis.
WICS Live Broadcast: Interview with Region 51 Council Manager
Ashley Earles, Region 51 Council Manager, was LIVE on WICS News Channel 20 discussing how a lack of awareness of the available healthcare services is a barrier for local families.
Freepod Interviews Lou Ann Hayes
FREEPOD and TimBeck2 host Tim Connors speaks with Lou Ann Hayes of Birth to Five Illinois in Freeport, a statewide organization providing equitable access to inclusive, high-quality Early Childhood services for all children and families in Illinois.