PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Makes Strides Building Regional Infrastructure
PRESS RELEASE
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For more information, contact:
Maggie Koller (she/her)
Communications Manager
(309) 233-0434
mkoller@birthtofiveil.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2022
ILLINOIS MAKES STRIDES BUILDING REGIONAL EARLY CHILDHOOD INFRASTRUCTURE
Regional Council Managers Hired in 17 of the State’s 39 Regions
Gathering Interest for Regional Councils
According to the report of the Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Funding, “The beating heart of an effective ECEC system is the community, and in order to provide for community input, the Commission urges creation of a formal community and regional infrastructure.”
In response to this recommendation, the State has partnered with the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) to build this equity-driven statewide regional system, Birth to Five Illinois, comprised of staff and local Councils that will amplify family, provider, and community voices in the state policy-making process and give local and state leaders a more accurate understanding of the early childhood gaps in each region.
Since the official statewide launch in February 2022, Birth to Five Illinois has been building the foundation for this new initiative. The recent hiring of Leslie Price, Data Strategist, rounds out the leadership on the Birth of Five Illinois State Team.
On May 23, 2022, 17 of the 39 Regional Council Managers will be onboarded and begin their work in each region to: 1) hire Data/Admin and Family and Community Engagement staff, 2) stand up a Birth to Five Family Council and a Birth to Five Action Council, and 3) with the support of Illinois Action or Children, complete a Regional Scan.
Birth to Five Illinois welcomes the first cohort of Regional Council Managers:
Region 3: Amy Robinson - Bond, Christian, Effingham, Fayette & Montgomery Counties
Region 4: Livia Bane - Boone & Winnebago Counties
Region 9: Caitlyn Scarbro - Champaign & Ford Counties
Region 12: Ann Oswalt - Clay, Crawford, Jasper, Lawrence & Richland Counties
Region 16: Samantha McDavid - DeKalb County
Region 17: Carol Weisheit - DeWitt, Livingston, Logan & McLean Counties
Region 19: Valerie Varju - DuPage County
Region 21: Tonya Frehner - Franklin, Johnson, Massac & Williamson Counties
Region 26: Paul Larson - Fulton, Hancock, McDonough & Schuyler Counties
Region 30: Zena Madison - Alexander, Jackson, Perry, Pulaski & Union Counties
Region 31: Kimely Stewart - Kane County
Region 34: Dane Cruz - Lake County
Region 41: Tammy Wrobbel - Madison County
Region 44: Samantha Marcellis - McHenry County
Region 49: Emily Cummings - Rock Island County
Region 50: Stephanie Herling - St. Clair County
Region 53: Felicia Farden - Mason, Tazewell & Woodford Counties
Cicely Fleming, State Director for Birth to Five Illinois, said, “The hiring of the Regional Council Managers marks an important milestone in this work. Part of our mission is to mobilize communities to build and sustain equitable access to inclusive, high-quality early childhood services, particularly for those who have historically been marginalized. By hiring managers within each region who understand the localized strengths and challenges, we can build upon existing relationships and tailor solutions that reflect the thoughts and needs of the community members.”
Birth to Five Illinois will be onboarding a second cohort of Regional Council Managers in June 2022. There are several regions for which applicants are still being sought; qualified individuals who live or have experience within one of the open regions are encouraged to apply.
To date, over 11,000 individuals have been engaged. Over 400 of those interested Illinoisans have completed an Interest Form for the Birth to Five Action and Family Councils that will be established in each of the 39 regions. We are seeking parents and caregivers to serve on their region’s Family Council (see Family Council Interest Form) and family members, early childhood providers, advocates, local elected officials, business representatives, and school board members, among many others to serve on their region’s Action Council (see Action Council Interest Form).
Information and Interest Forms are available in English, Spanish, and Polish on the Birth to Five Illinois website: www.birthtofiveil.com.
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