Saline County Early Childhood Receives Grant from Birth to Five Illinois

February 12, 2026

Original coverage in WRUL by Nicole Behnke.

Birth to Five Illinois celebrates a $12 million funding milestone, advancing early childhood collaboration across the state.

The Saline County Early Childhood Collaboration received a $12,500 grant from Birth to Five Illinois. The group improves access to quality education, resources, and support for local families.

The grant will secure a physical space for SCEC, support coordination with schools and childcare providers, and create programs and training for children and parents.

Birth to Five Illinois has awarded six $12,500 Planning Grants to groups working to create new Local Early Childhood Collaborations all over Illinois. The grant has reached seven Illinois counties that are in the early stages of coordinating local support for families with young children.

Since its establishment in 2022, Birth to Five Illinois has prioritized funding for early childhood initiatives. In less than four years, $12 million has been allocated to 59 Local Early Childhood Collaborations.

Cicely Fleming, Director of Birth to Five Illinois, said,

“In under four years, the funding we have allocated has reached almost every corner of the state, a testament to both the need for additional investment and the ability of Local Collaborations to quickly translate available dollars into measurable impact.”

Discover more about the impact of Birth to Five Illinois and get involved by visiting www.birthtofiveil.com.