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.
Childcare Group Receives Grant
Highlighting Birth to Five Illinois funding in Region 12 awarded to the Crawford County Kids Association.
2 West-Central Illinoisans Selected for Statewide Early Childhood Council
Congratulations! Kelly Ballard of Roodhouse represents Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, and Macoupin counties. LeAnn Bell of Springfield represents Sangamon and Menard counties.
Birth to Five Illinois Launches Statewide Family Leadership Council
FY2026 Birth to Five Illinois Statewide Family Leadership Council members from the area include Region 13 representative Hannah Raney, Woodlawn, Jefferson County.
PRESS RELEASE: Birth to Five Illinois Launches Statewide Family Leadership Council
Announcing the new Birth to Five Illinois Statewide Family Leadership Council set to improve family and community engagement efforts across the State.
McLean County Museum of History Honors Loved Ones Now Gone with Dia de Muertos Celebration
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 17 participates in this Dia de Muertos celebration and is asked about the impact of the organization for the Hispanic community.
Sauk Valley STARS Receives $75,000 To Support Early Childhood Programs
Host Charles Van Horn speaks with Abby Hoskins of Birth to Five Illinois: Region 47 and Lois Meisenheimer of Sauk Valley STARS about a new $75,000 subcontract supporting Early Childhood programs in Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties.
Congratulations to the Chatham Area Chamber Member of the Month for November!
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 51 is the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce Member of the Month for November 2025!
Alignment Rockford Awarded $49,000 Birth to Five Illinois Subcontractor Award to Advance Early Learning in Winnebago County
Highlighting Birth to Five Illinois funding in Region 4 awarded to Alignment Rockford.
Birth to Five Illinois Awards Additional $2.5 Million to Strengthen Early Childhood Collaborations
Highlighting Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Collaboration Funding in Regions 1, 3, 9, 26, 40, 48, 53, and 54.
Ready to Learn Expands Early Learning Support in Rockford
Alignment Rockford has secured a $49,000 subcontract from Birth to Five Illinois to enhance early childhood coordination efforts in the Rockford area and Winnebago County.
ROE 13 Gets Funding for Early Childhood Programs
Highlighting Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Collaboration Funding in Region 13 awarded to Regional Office of Education (ROE) #13.
Leah
Leah Armour, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 1-B-C (Cook County South) Administrative Support, shares how Filling the Gap helped her and her children secure housing. She also speaks to how her work with Birth to Five Illinois allows her to advocate and connect families to Early Childhood services.
Effingham County Early Childhood Coalition Awarded Grant
Highlighting Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Collaboration Funding in Region 3 awarded to the Effingham County Early Childhood Coalition.
Southern Illinois Regions Receive Portion of $2.5M for Childhood Development
Highlighting Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Collaboration Funding in Regions 20, 21, and 30 awarded to: Carbondale Community Cabinet for Children and Youth, Southern Illinois Coalition for Children and Families, Southernmost Illinois Early Learning Special Education Collaborative.
Birth to Five Illinois Awards Funds to Local Childhood Programs
Highlighting Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Collaboration Funding in Region 4 (Boone & Winnebago Counties) awarded to Ready to Learn and the Boone County Maternal Child Health (MCH) Advisory Council.
Greene Early Childhood Collaboration Receives Slice of $2.5 million from Birth to Five Illinois
The Greene County Collaboration, administered by Greene County Health Department, received a $30,000 subcontract from Birth to Five Illinois.
Together We Grow: Family First Festival
The Family First Festival, hosted by Birth to Five Illinois: Region 26, in partnership with the Home Child Care Network and the Canton Family YMCA, was a success!
PRESS RELEASE: Birth to Five Illinois Awards Additional $2.5 Million to Early Childhood Collaborations
Announcing the 43 Local Early Childhood Collaboration subcontract recipients awarded a portion of $2.5 million to support local families this fiscal year!
Birth to Five Illinois: Local Challenges and Opportunities
Birth to Five Illinois Council Managers serving Regions 20, 21, and 30 in Southern Illinois present as part of the 2025 One Shawnee Regional Summit.
Letter to the Editor: Efforts Aim to Build Stronger Families
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 1-B-D (Cook County North) submitted a Letter to the Editor about how their collective impact efforts are leading to real impacts for local families.