Community Group Asks Monticello to Help Spread Birth-to-5 Resource Guide

July 15, 2025

Original coverage in Citizen Portal.

Heather Seitz, a representative of Birth to Five Illinois, told the City Council Monday that her group has produced a resource guide for families with children ages 0–5 and asked city officials and community organizations to help distribute it.

"Well, I'm Heather Seitz. I've met some of you, or you've gotten emails from me," Seitz said as she introduced the program. She said Birth to Five Illinois collected input from families and community partners, assembled recommendations and produced about 3,000 printed guides. The guide compiles local and nearby resources, including services in Decatur and Champaign for Piatt County residents when local services are not available.

Seitz credited Tabitha Thomas of the DeWitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department with assembling the booklet and said the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation and Kirby Medical sponsored the printing. She asked council members to share the guide on personal and organizational social media, place copies at libraries, the police department and city buildings, and to re-share the material periodically so families in crisis remember where to find help.

Birth to Five Illinois also offered supplemental flyers and asked council members to contact the organization for printed guides for offices or community outlets. Council members did not take formal action on the request; it was presented during the public-participation portion of the meeting and recorded as a community comment.

Background and context: Seitz described Birth to Five Illinois as an infrastructure initiative that gathers family and community feedback on early-childhood care and then produces local recommendations for state and local partners. Kim Dye was present with Seitz as a colleague; several local organizations were listed as partners in the resource collaboration.