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Our Strategic Plan
Lighting the Way Forward for Illinois Children and Families
Since the beginning, our work at Illinois Action for Children has been guided by the belief that every child deserves a bright and equitable future. That commitment endures through our strategic plan, Lighting the Way Forward, which will guide our growth for the next three years.
As we continue to address the increasingly complex issues facing children and all who care for them, this plan will also position us to make an even deeper impact for years to come.
Below are our strategic goals through which we will invest in the early childhood field, expand access to high-quality education, and light the way forward.
Strengthen the child care field to better serve families
IAFC will draw on its legacy of advocacy and identify solutions to help providers thrive—allowing them to grow, invest, and provide more families with access to child care and early learning.
Key strategies:
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Create a well-aligned workforce development and retention strategy for educators and providers
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Position IAFC as the trusted resource for providers to strengthen their operational and business capacity
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Strengthen providers’ professional growth through enhanced training and peer networks
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Expand access and innovate program service delivery for families and communities
Expand our influence and impact to improve childhood outcomes
Drawing on IAFC’s expertise, capability, and coalitions, we will collaborate with state, city, and other partners to help set direction, pilot systems-wide initiatives, and invest in communities.
Key strategies:
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Utilize IAFC’s research work to shape policy and drive action, helping close the equity gap between child care access and capacity statewide
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Amplify the voices of families, providers, and communities challenged with systemic barriers to accessible, quality child care
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Ensure program standards are based in equity and uphold quality with input from families, communities, and providers
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Expand the visibility of IAFC and early childhood education and care issues in decision-making spaces statewide and nationally
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Develop a marketing and communication strategy that promotes IAFC’s distinct identity as an advocacy leader
Diversify and expand funding streams in support of our mission
Diversifying and growing funding streams will position IAFC for longevity. By expanding our philanthropic relationships and deepening Board engagement, we will increase unrestricted funding and build a true culture of philanthropy.
Key strategies:
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Increase funding from philanthropic sources to support mission-aligned growth
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Build the infrastructures and develop earned income lines that strengthen financial sustainability
Invest in IAFC staff, collaborative culture, and internal infrastructure
Our team is passionate about IAFC’s mission. Investing in staff and strengthening our culture will help to grow and retain talent and enhance collaboration. We must continually update internal infrastructure and systems to improve and streamline the agency’s operations.
Key strategies:
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Invest in strategies to attract and retain talented, mission-driven staff
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Create a collaborative work environment free from silos
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Improve and streamline internal infrastructure, systems, and processes
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Strengthen internal alignment and coherence to sustain and grow IAFC’s organizational impact
“We listened, and together we created a dynamic Strategic Plan that will inspire us to help more children in more ways—through bigger and bolder initiatives.”
—April Janney, CEO and Peter Kim, Board Chair
Learn More
We invite you to explore this plan and join us in building a future together where every child and community has the care, education, and resources they need to thrive.
