Blogs

Weekly News: ECE and More - 4.21.21

By IAFC Marketing posted 2 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter: » White House Closes in on ‘Families Plan’ Spending Proposal Centered on ECE (Washington Post) In this story, the Washington Post looks at the White House's infrastructure plan that would focus on child care, Pre-K, and other early childhood priorities. » $1.6B in Federal Aid to Expand IL Early Childhood Education, Child Care Access (WGLT) WGLT covers Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's announcement of transformational change for ECE in Illinois, including massive investments and a new division of early childhood. » Kindergarten Transitions Are Never Easy. But the ...
0 comments

A Statement from April Janney, President & CEO of Illinois Action for Children, on the Killing of Adam Toledo

By IAFC Marketing posted 6 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Like all of you, I was horrified by what I saw in the video released by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) yesterday of the police-involved shooting of Adam Toledo. We all need to prioritize the safety and protection of our city’s youth as our most sacred responsibility—and that includes protecting our children from dying at the hands of law enforcement. Gun violence is an epidemic in this country and sadly, Chicago is leading the nation in this regard. Year after year, we continue to see it invade all parts of our children’s lives, ravaging our communities, upending families, and inflicting extreme trauma that has lasting damaging effects. ...
0 comments

Gov. Pritzker Announces $1.6 Billion in Federal ECE Funding for Illinois, Creation of IDHS Division of Early Childhood, More

By IAFC Marketing posted 6 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
For immediate Release: 4.16.21 Ambitious Plans for Strengthening Young Children’s Well-Being Call for an Equally Ambitious Start Statewide coalition thanks Governor Pritzker, early childhood commission for blueprint; suggests moving quickly to begin this important work Aurora, IL - Illinois should waste no time in beginning to pursue the wise blueprint that a bipartisan commission of experts has drawn to build a stronger, more equitable system of early childhood supports—a system we can strengthen with a major investment of new resources and governance improvements. That was the message conveyed Friday by members of a statewide coalition supporting ...
0 comments

Weekly News: ECE and More - 4.14.21

By IAFC Marketing posted 9 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter: » I L Advocates Rally Around Early Ed Bill That Would Create More Bachelor’s Programs   (Chalkbeat) In this story, Chalkbeat examines a bill in the IL legislature that would address the state's teacher shortage and degree equity issues for the ECE workforce. » Universal Child Care Could Boost Women’s Lifetime Earnings by $130 Billion (CNBC.com) In this CNBC.com article, the take a look at the concept of universal child care, how it can be achieved, and the impact it would have on women in the U.S.  » Break Cycles of Poverty and Grow Family Prosperity by ...
0 comments

eAdvocate Newsletter - April

By HL Admin posted 10 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
--> View Newsletter Archives In this Issue In this month’s issue of eAdvocate we provide ways to take action in support of an important Illinois early childhood workforce bill, give information about President Biden’s American Jobs Plan, and share an opportunity to participate in vaccination advocacy! Join us for Early Childhood Advocacy Week! Advocacy Week starts today! Illinois Action for Children is partnering with Start Early and the Latino Policy Forum to celebrate the Week of the Young Child by letting our legislators know that Early Education is Essential ! Check out our social media toolkit to get involved and learn ...
0 comments

Media Coverage of Community College ECE Baccalaureate (CCB) Bill Press Conference

By IAFC Marketing posted 14 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Illinois Action for Children recently held a press conference with several legislators, early childhood educators, and advocates in support of the Community College Baccalaureate (CCB) bill that would improve access to bachelor’s degrees for the ECE workforce and address the teacher shortage in our state. The press conference received widespread statewide media coverage, which can be sampled below: Chalkbeat Chicago Fox Illinois TV (Springfield) KHQA TV ABC/CBS 7 (Quincy/Tri-State Area) Quad Cities Times The Center Square Illinois Belleville News-Democrat WGEM TV NBC (Quincy) WEEK NBC TV 25 (Peoria-Bloomington) Newschannel ...
0 comments

Weekly News: ECE and More - 4.7.21

By IAFC Marketing posted 16 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter: » A Year into COVID, Child Care Issues Still Affect Mothers’ Employment (Marketplace) In this story, Marketplace examines how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected mothers' employment opportunities and what the outlook is for the future. » Voice of the Reader: Invest in the Children (The Southern Illinoisan) In this Letter to the Editor, Early Childhood Funding Commission member Lori Longueville writes about the commision's report and recommendations for ECE. » The Need for Child Care Isn’t Going Away: Poll Results Show What Parents Want   (EdNC) ...
0 comments

BREAKING: Early Childhood Coalition Reacts to Bipartisan Funding Commission Report

By IAFC Marketing posted 22 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
BROAD-BASED COALITION THANKS GOVERNOR, EARLY CHILDHOOD FUNDING COMMISSION; PLEDGES FURTHER COMMITMENT TO IMPLEMENTATION OF MULTI-YEAR PLANS FOR MAKING ILLINOIS “BEST STATE IN NATION FOR FAMILIES RAISING YOUNG CHILDREN” Today, the Early Childhood Funding Coalition — with membership from a broad array of sectors and communities, statewide, including Illinois Action for Children — thanks Governor Pritzker and the bipartisan Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding for releasing its comprehensive report on the future of our state’s early care and education system. We applaud the Commission's goal, set by the Governor, that ...
0 comments

Weekly News: ECE and More - 3.31.21

By IAFC Marketing posted 23 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter: » Child Care Is A Public Good. Our Government Should Start Treating It That Way (WBUR) In this commentary, WBUR Public Radio argues that including child care in any infrastructure bill is a necessary public good that cannot wait. » The Precarious State of Child Care in the United State of America  (Vox) In this article, Vox looks at the challenges facing child care providers and what they need right now to survive the pandemic. » Pandemic Raising Concerns for Kindergarten Readiness   (WCIA TV) This Springfield, IL newscast looks at the impact of COVID-19 ...
0 comments

Weekly News: ECE and More - 3.24.21

By IAFC Marketing posted 30 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter: » White House Prepares Massive Infrastructure Bill with Universal Pre-K, More (Washington Post) In this article, the Washington Post details a potential infrastructure bill that could include Universal Pre-K and more provisions impacting children and families. » CDC Eases Distancing Guidelines in Classrooms, Saying 3 Feet Often OK (Chalkbeat) In this article, Chalkbeat looks at the new CDC guidance on distancing in classrooms and how it will affect school reopenings in the United States. » Illinois Launches Pilot Program to Improve Child Care in Rural Communities ...
0 comments

A Statement from April Janney, President & CEO of Illinois Action for Children, on the Recent Violence Against the Asian-American Community

By IAFC Marketing posted 03-22-2021
Be the first person to recommend this.
As an African American woman, I am heartbroken by the continued violence and disregard for human life we see in our nation. The horrific murders in Atlanta last week are the latest terrible reminder of just how pervasive and dangerous of a force racism is in our society. Over the past two years, there’s been a stark and deeply troubling increase in hate crimes against members of the Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community here in the U.S. Nearly 4,000 of these incidents of violence have occurred in just the past 12 months alone. As an organization whose mission is to serve children, families, and communities, Illinois Action for Children condemns ...
0 comments

Weekly News: ECE and More - 3.17.21

By IAFC Marketing posted 03-16-2021
Be the first person to recommend this.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter: » Commission To Call For Overhaul Of ECE Funding (Peoria Public Radio) In this article, Peoria Public Radio explores the work of the Illinois Early Childhood Funding Commission and what their findings may bring. » New CDC Guidance for Operating Child Care Programs During COVID-19 (First 5 Years) In this article, First 5 Years looks at the latest CDC guidelines on child care and how this will impact providers, families, and children. » American Rescue Plan Act Will Help Millions and Bolster the Economy (CBPP) The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities ...
0 comments

eAdvocate Newsletter - March

By HL Admin posted 03-12-2021
Be the first person to recommend this.
--> View Newsletter Archives In this Issue This month’s issue of eAdvocate brings you many ways to participate in early childhood advocacy! There are several upcoming events to attend, the release of a new report, an important CCAP update, and a Facebook group to join! Spring into Action is happening NOW through May 28. It has been great seeing your faces at our Spring into Action Friday Action Hour sessions! If you haven’t attended one yet, check out the list of events! Coming up next are workshops: Friday, March 19: Comprehensive Paid Family & Medical Leave for All Illinoisans with Women Employed Friday, ...
0 comments

Weekly News: ECE and More - 3.10.21

By IAFC Marketing posted 03-09-2021
Be the first person to recommend this.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter: » A $39 Billion Lifeline for American Child Care (POLITCO)   In this article, POLITICO examines the positive impact the American Recovery Plan could have on children, families, and child care providers if passed. » The Great COVID Child Care Awakening (Romper) In this article, Romper explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the critical need for, and importance of, child care. » Four Ways to Rebuild a Better Early Ed System (Hechinger Report) In this Hechinger Report commentary, four ways of reimagining the early care and education system are discussed.  ...
0 comments

IAFC Statement on the Governor's Proposed State Budget

By IAFC Marketing posted 02-17-2021
Be the first person to recommend this.
For Immediate Release: 2.17.21 EARLY CHILDHOOD FUNDED IN GOV. PRITZKER’S BUDGET PROPOSAL ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS ARE NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER     Chicago  – Early care and education in Illinois will see a mix of cuts and level funding in Governor JB Pritzker’s proposed state budget, as indicated in his State of the State and Budget Address delivered at the Capitol on Wednesday. Governor Pritzker’s proposed FY22 budget includes the following General Revenue Fund (GRF) funding levels for early childhood programs:   $543.7 million, or flat funding, for the Early Childhood Block Grant (ECBG) $410.6 million, or a $20 ...
0 comments

Celebrating Black History Month: Pioneers in Early Childhood Education

By IAFC Marketing posted 02-15-2021
Be the first person to recommend this.
To celebrate and commemorate this year's Black History Month, we will be highlighting 10 African American pioneers in the field of early childhood education and advocacy. These men and women devoted their lives to fighting for better quality education for young children, especially African American children. From the field of childhood psychology to policy advocacy to pioneering new teaching methods, these individuals have made their marks over the course of more than a century.  By showcasing these 10 individuals, we're telling just a small part of the story of how early childhood education continues to move forward. The work we do at Illinois Action For ...
0 comments

eAdvocate Newsletter - February

By HL Admin posted 02-10-2021
Be the first person to recommend this.
--> View Newsletter Archives In this Issue In this month’s issue of eAdvocate we are excited to share upcoming Spring into Action details, release of a new report, vaccination information, and a hello form our team! Spring into Action 2021 (Now - May 28) Spring into Action 2021 kicked off last week! Be sure to join us for our virtual weekly presentations, Friday Action Hour, throughout the spring culminating in virtual Early Childhood Advocacy Day with Start Early at the end of the Illinois Legislative Session in May. Participants have access to a variety of workshops presented by IAFC and our partner organizations. Topics include ...
0 comments

Addressing Child Care in Effingham County: Initiative takes aim at gap in availability

By IAFC Marketing posted 02-08-2021
Be the first person to recommend this.
From the Effingham Daily News, read the full article here: Effingham is one of the first five communities in Illinois to participate in a state-wide program aimed at expanding access to childcare programs and developing new ones. This could address an ongoing problem facing Effingham’s parents: the “slot gap.” The slot gap is a term used to describe the difference between the number of children who might need childcare and the number of theoretically available slots across all childcare options: daycare centers, Head Start programs, licensed in-home daycare, and other options. ----- Community Based Planning is a methodology of addressing complex issues ...
0 comments

April Janney is the New President & CEO of Illinois Action for Children

By IAFC Marketing posted 02-01-2021
Be the first person to recommend this.
Chicago -   Illinois Action for Children’s (IAFC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of   April Janney   as President & CEO. Janney has served as Acting President & CEO since June 2020, following the sudden passing of Maria Whelan who was IAFCs President & CEO for 20 years. “We are thrilled to officially name April Janney our new President & CEO,” said Celena Roldán, Chair of IAFCs Board of Directors. “April’s character, resolve, and in-depth knowledge of Illinois’ early care and education system have been key in her ability to successfully guide IAFC to its noted position as a leader in the field. Most recently, in ...
0 comments

Illinois Action for Children Names April Janney New President & CEO

By Adam Summers posted 01-29-2021
Be the first person to recommend this.
Chicago - Illinois Action for Children’s (IAFC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of April Janney as President & CEO. Janney has served as Acting President & CEO since June 2020, following the sudden passing of Maria Whelan who was IAFCs President & CEO for 20 years. “We are thrilled to officially name April Janney our new President & CEO,” said Celena Roldán, Chair of IAFCs Board of Directors. “April’s character, resolve, and in-depth knowledge of Illinois’ early care and education system have been key in her ability to successfully guide IAFC to its noted position as a leader in the field. Most recently, in her ...
0 comments