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.
Champion of Early Childhood Education Awards Honor Outstanding Educators in Rock Island County
One of the recommendations in the Region 49 (Rock Island County) Action Plan is to optimize the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) workforce. One goal the Council established to support this recommendation was to launch a community recognition program for Early Childhood Teachers, aiming to recognize six outstanding teachers by the end of December 2024. The inaugural Champion of Early Childhood Education Awards go to…
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.
Birth to Five Illinois and Alignment Rockford
“A robust Early Childhood infrastructure, similar to adequate housing or a favorable job market, is not merely a social concern but an economic imperative.” - Livia Bane, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 4 Council Manager
Crawford County Kids Association Makes Moves in Child Care
Birth to Five Illinois is thrilled to have had a part in funding the Crawford County Kids Association, allowing them the opportunity to create an amazing organization that has worked tirelessly to elevate the need for quality Early Childhood Education and Care and raise funds to build a much needed child care center.
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.
WICS Live Broadcast: Interview with Region 51 Council Manager
Ashley Earles, Region 51 Council Manager, was LIVE on WICS News Channel 20 discussing how a lack of awareness of the available healthcare services is a barrier for local families.
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.
Home Visitation Services Fill Gaps in Mental Health Care in Rural Communities
Felicia Farden (Region 53 Council Manager) and Kari Clark (Region 48 Council Manager) discuss some of the findings in their Regional Early Childhood Needs Assessments: Focus on Mental & Behavioral Health.
Birth to Five Illinois Begins Rolling Out Action Plan
Amy Robinson, Region 3 Council Manager, and Meghan Rewers, Region 3 Action Council member and Crisis Nursery of Effingham Executive Director, share about the work Birth to Five Illinois is doing to make ECEC more inclusive and accessible for all community members in Bond, Christian, Effingham, Fayette, and Montgomery Counties.
Rotary Meeting: Paul Harris Fellows Awards Presented, New Board Sworn In: Presentation Made by Birth to Five Illinois, 2 New Rotarians Sworn
Abby Hoskins, Region 47 Council Manager, presents on the work of Birth to Five Illinois at the Rochelle Rotary Club meeting.
'It's Very Sad': Reports Detail the Lack of Mental and Behavioral Health Providers for Northern Illinois Kids
NPR’s Peter Medlin interviews the Birth to Five Illinois Regional Council Managers from Region 4 (Boone & Winnebago Counties) and Region 8 (Carroll, Jo Daviess, & Stephenson Counties) about the mental and behavioral health gaps and needs in northern Illinois.
Advocates Identify Ways to Improve Youth Behavioral Health Services in Peoria Area
WCBU interviews Birth to Five Illinois: Region 48 Family Council member, Flo James, Council Manager, Kari Clark, and Region 53 Council Manager, Felicia Farden, about what families say they need to improve local access to mental and behavioral health supports.
Report Documents Behavioral Health Needs of Schools in McLean and Neighboring Counties
WGLT interviews Region 17 Council Manager, Carol Weisheit, about the Early Childhood Needs Assessment: Focus on Mental & Behavioral Health for DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean Counties.
Sen. Dale Fowler: 'What A Great Day for Southern Illinois'
Senator Dale Fowler joins Birth to Five Illinois: Region 21 as part of the commencement of Dolly Parton's "Imagination Library" free book program in Southern Illinois.
Children With Special Needs Are A Priority For B-N Woman On Department Of Early Childhood Transition Team
Listen to the WGLT interview with Region 17 Action Council member, Lakeesha James-Smith, who discusses the obstacles she has faced as a mother navigating the ECEC system and how the work of Birth to Five Illinois and the Transition Advisory Committee (TAC) are simplifying the system for families.
Want Economic Development? Change A Diaper!
The Birth to Five Illinois: Region 8 Team discuss the link between child care and economic development in this Village Voices article.
Community Meeting on Early Childhood Wellness Set
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 40 is holding a community meeting to discuss Early Childhood Education and Care initiatives in Greene, Jersey, Macoupin and Calhoun counties.
New Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Community Needs Assessments Set
Iroquois County’s Times-Republic covers the release of the Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Needs Assessments: Focus on Mental & Behavioral Health!
Local Leaders Say DeKalb County Workforce Readiness Starts at Home
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 16 joins local leaders at the Annual Forum on Kindergarten Readiness in DeKalb County.