Saline County Receives $12,500 Grant as Birth to Five Illinois Hits $12 Million Milestone

February 12, 2026

Original coverage in WSIL News 3.

Saline County is among six counties across the state set to receive new funding to expand early childhood resources, as a statewide advocacy group celebrates a $12 million investment milestone.

Birth to Five Illinois announced Thursday the awarding of $75,000 in new planning grants. The Saline County Early Childhood Collaboration was named as one of the recipients, securing $12,500 to support local families and children.

The planning grant is designed to help community partners—including caregivers, educators, and business owners—establish a formalized collective. These groups work to identify gaps in service and improve access to early learning and care opportunities for children from birth to age five.

“In under four years, the funding we have allocated has reached almost every corner of the state,” said Cicely L. Fleming, Director of Birth to Five Illinois.

Since its founding in 2022, Birth to Five Illinois has awarded $12 million to 59 local collaborations across 37 of the state's 39 regions. The organization prioritizes local investment, citing that community-based groups are best positioned to understand and address the specific needs of their residents.

“By investing locally in the groups coordinating services to improve the early childhood system, we maximize the impact on children and families,” said Angela Hubbard-Fragozo, the organization’s grants and relationship manager.

In addition to Saline County, this round of funding was awarded to groups in Calhoun, Coles, Jersey, Livingston, and Pike counties, as well as a coalition in North Cook County.

According to the organization, these planning grants often serve as the first step in establishing a long-term infrastructure for early childhood support, potentially leading to future implementation funding.