Along the Rock: S3 Ep 2-It Takes a Village: Local Resources for Raising Children in the Sauk Valley
January 6, 2026
Original coverage in The Radar Free Press by Emma Watts, Article by Sara Bellows.
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Emma Watts welcomed Abby Hoskins of Birth to Five Illinois and Anji Garza representing the Sauk Valley STARS Coalition for a conversation focused on early childhood support, collaboration, and the growing needs of families across the Sauk Valley.
Birth to Five Illinois is a statewide organization with regional teams embedded in communities throughout Illinois. In Region 47, the organization serves Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside counties with a mission centered on strengthening early childhood education and care for children from birth through age eight. A core part of the organization’s work involves listening directly to parents and caregivers, identifying barriers to services, and sharing that feedback with community leaders and decision-makers to help shape effective solutions.
Community engagement is guided through two councils. The Family Council is made up of parents and caregivers raising young children who provide firsthand insight into what families need. The Action Council expands that effort by bringing together parents with leaders from early childhood education, health care, chambers of commerce, faith communities, and local government. This broad collaboration helps ensure that decisions are informed by diverse perspectives and real community experiences.
The Sauk Valley STARS Coalition plays a key role in turning collaboration into action. Established in the early 2000s, the coalition brings together school districts, preschool programs, Head Start, community agencies, and local partners under the fiscal leadership of the Regional Office of Education. Its work focuses on supporting children and families from the prenatal stage through age eight, with particular attention on the birth-to-five years.
Through a subcontract from Birth to Five Illinois, the STARS Coalition has expanded efforts in several critical areas. Workforce development has emerged as a major priority, as communities face a growing need for child care, early childhood education, and home visiting services. Partnerships with Sauk Valley Community College and other higher education institutions are helping grow and support the early childhood workforce while providing opportunities for professional advancement.
The coalition has also strengthened coordination among service providers. A coordinated intake specialist and a shared referral platform allow families to connect with more than 150 partner organizations across Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside counties. These partnerships span early childhood programs, mental health services, health departments, and family support organizations, helping families access services more efficiently.
Data-driven collaboration has led to meaningful outcomes, including the opening of four full-day preschool classrooms in Dixon to address local needs. Expanding access to full-day preschool remains a priority, especially for working families who require consistent, reliable care.
Despite progress, challenges remain. Families continue to face limited availability of child care slots, particularly for infants and toddlers. The need for non-traditional care hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, has also grown, especially in smaller communities. Another ongoing challenge is awareness, as many families are still unaware of the resources available to support them.
To address this gap, Birth to Five Illinois and the Sauk Valley STARS Coalition partnered to create the OWL Early Childhood Resource Hub, serving Ogle, Whiteside, and Lee counties. The hub provides a centralized location where families can learn about child care assistance, preschool programs, Head Start, home visiting services, and other supports. Parents can explore resources online, engage through social media, or connect directly with a coordinated intake specialist for personalized assistance.
The episode also highlighted broader efforts to support family and youth well-being, including youth and teen mental health first aid training and partnerships with the University of Illinois Extension. These initiatives aim to strengthen community responses to mental health needs while addressing long wait times for clinical services.
Throughout the conversation, one message remained clear: families are not alone. Parents and caregivers are seen as leaders in their children’s lives, and their voices are central to shaping early childhood systems in the Sauk Valley. Through collaboration, awareness, and continued investment, Birth to Five Illinois and the Sauk Valley STARS Coalition are working to ensure that children and families have the support they need to thrive.
For more information, visit owlearlychildhood.my.canva.site/.