Strong Infrastructure
Rebuild State & Community Systems That Benefit Families, Infants & Toddlers.
Currently, Illinois’ early childhood system is very complex and highly fragmented, making it difficult for families and professionals alike to navigate the variety of programs and services available to them.
Unaligned Systems
A problem at community & state levels
At both the community and state levels, early learning and care programs, services and data systems are often unaligned, as are early childhood workforce competencies and professional development pathways and supports.
Recommended Strategies
These challenges compounded with extremely limited capacity at state agencies and workforce shortages hinder the state’s ability to build a stronger, collaborative early childhood infrastructure and respond to projected increases of children and families in need of services.
While our recommendations for investing in and rebuilding a strong infrastructure are undoubtedly ambitious, they are achievable and would go a long way toward supporting early learning professionals and the families they serve.
Cross-system Preparation, Professional Development & Supports
Provide our youngest children with high-quality early care and education by investing in the infant and toddler workforce.
Strong State & Community Structures
Create an equitable and cohesive early childhood support system that makes it simple for families to access holistic care through increased capacity and collaboration across state agencies serving families.
News & Resources
IL Prenatal to Three Agenda
Our work is guided by an ambitious, comprehensive, multi-year strategic policy agenda to ensure that Illinois’ youngest children and their families, especially those furthest from opportunity, are on a trajectory for success.
Voices Kids Count 2021
Voices for Illinois Children Releases 2021 Kids Count Report The report outlines prevalent factors associated with childhood poverty and reviews the state’s poverty landscape. The most recent report from Voices for Illinois Children, released in July…
Early Childhood Funding Commission Report
Raising Illinois Applauds Release of the Illinois Commission on Equitable Funding for Early Childhood Education and Care’s Final Report Recommendations outlined in report provide ambitious path to strengthening Illinois’ early care and education system and the…