Spreading the Word as We Strive for Equity
Scroll down to read all Birth to Five Illinois news coverage, or you can click to read the coverage from your Region.
Birth to Five Illinois Makes Presentation to Iroquois County Board
Liz Gibson, Region 32 Council Manager (Iroquois and Kankakee Counties) presented to the Iroquois County Board on the Early Childhood and Mental and Behavioral Health focused efforts underway in their area, urging them to get involved.
Open Line ON DEMAND – Birth to Five Illinois
Janice Crow, Region 20 Council Manager, and Maude Harrison, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 20 Family Council member, talk on-air about the community-driven family support efforts they are leading in Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, and White Counties!
Illinois Kids' Future: Inside Birth to Five Illinois with Nicole Bach
Check out Nicole Bach, Region 44 Council Manager (McHenry County), talking about everything from her personal commitment to advancing Early Childhood Education, strategies for meaningful community engagement in the Early Childhood sector, and the core mission and groundbreaking work of Birth to Five Illinois!
Birth to Five Illinois: Vermilion Advantage Member of the Month (July 2025)
The three members of the Birth to Five Illinois: Region 54 Team (Vermilion County) were featured as the July 2025 Vermilion Advantage Member of the Month on WITY !
Kankakee County Health Department “Who Knew?” Podcast with Liz Gibson, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 32
Listen to Liz Gibson (Region 32 Council Manager) talk all things Birth to Five Illinois in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. She is interviewed by Kailee Zito, Health Promotion Coordinator for the Kankakee County Health Department and Region 32 Action Council member.
Illini Media Group Features Birth to Five Illinois on the Focus News & Public Affairs Podcast
Region 9 Council Manager (Jill Duden) and Family & Community Engagement Specialist (Melissa Watson) talk all things Birth to Five Illinois on this episode of the Focus News & Public Affairs Podcast.
Wayne County Board Met Thursday Night, Updated Information on The Hotel Project on Fairfield’s West Side Provided by the Mayor
Janice Crow, the Regional Council Manager for Birth to Five Illinois: Region 20, provides an overview of the organization’s mission and services across nine counties, including Wayne County.
A 100-year-old Rockford Childcare Center Abruptly Closed. If There's Such a Need for Childcare, Why Can't Centers Stay Open?
Two Action Council Members from the Birth to Five Illinois: Region 4 (Boone & Winnebago Counties) Councils were interviewed for this NPR article about the dire need for child care in the area but the challenges in keeping these critical businesses open to serve children and families.
Dixon's Preschool Offerings to Expand in New Program with 80 Slots, 4 Rooms at Lovett Center and Open Sesame
New ECEC program opens in Region 47! “The ROE 47 partnered with Birth to Five Illinois, a program aimed at improving early childhood education, to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment across the counties, looking to find out if there really was a shortage and if it was negatively affecting those in the community,.”
Bloomington Woman Plans to Open Inclusive Farmhouse Child Care Center
Melissa Breeden, Region 17 Council Manager representing DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean Counties, discusses some of the challenges Early Childhood providers face as part of this WGLT article.
Family Matters Parent Training & Information Center (PTIC) Podcast: Ann Oswalt
In this podcast, Ann Oswalt, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 12 Manager and Family Matters Board Member, talks about the importance of Early Intervention, supports for caregivers of children with special needs, the community-centered work of Birth to Five Illinois, and more!
Improving Early Childhood Education in Forgottonia with Birth to Five Illinois: Region 26
In this podcast, all three members of the Birth to Five Illinois: Region 26 Team share how they are addressing Early Childhood Education challenges in rural areas by collaborating with schools, families, and local organizations.
Birth to Five Illinois Works to Improve Access to Early Childhood Education
This Collinsville Daily News article outlines what Birth to Five Illinois is doing across the State and highlights the biggest challenges families are facing in Madison County.
Report: Elevate Will County - Child Care Provider Grants
Birth to Five Illinois partnered with the Will County Board to develop and administer the Elevate Will County – Child Care Provider Grant using Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) funds that originated from the sale of recreational cannabis. Read the report!
Birth to Five Illinois Supports Early Childhood Development in Fulton County
The November 2024 Furgottonia Times™ Report features the work of Birth to Five Illinois: Region 26 (Fulton, Hancock, McDonough, and Schuyler Counties), highlighting a major win for children in Canton and the organization’s recognition of the integral role caregivers play in a child’s development.
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 9 & Region 54 on WBGL Radio
Listen to this WBGL radio interview! Our Regional Council Managers representing Vermilion, Ford, and Champaign Counties talk about the collective impact work their Birth to Five Illinois Councils are leading to better support local children and their families
Official Says More Action Needed in Early Childhood Reform
Janice Crow, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 20 Council Manager, attends the Harrisburg City Council meeting to provide updates on the efforts to reshape Early Childhood Education and Care in Southern Illinois.
WCCI In Touch Interview with Lou Ann Hayes from Birth to Five Illinois: Region 8
Lou Ann Hayes returns to WCCI to discuss how her Team and community Councils have moved the needle on the needs and recommendations in their Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessment.
How Does Poverty Affect Students in East St. Louis? Here are 5 Things to Know
At an in-person event with East St. Louis community members, educators, elected officials, and others, Stephanie Herling, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 50 Council Manager, discussed the top Early Childhood and Mental and Behavioral Health needs identified across St. Clair County and East St. Louis.
Freepod Interviews Lou Ann Hayes
FREEPOD and TimBeck2 host Tim Connors speaks with Lou Ann Hayes of Birth to Five Illinois in Freeport, a statewide organization providing equitable access to inclusive, high-quality Early Childhood services for all children and families in Illinois.