Blogs

The State of Early Childhood Education in Illinois

By Karen Brown posted 4 hours ago
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For the most part, free public education in the U.S. starts at the kindergarten level, when children are around age 5. But research continues to reveal just how critical the first few years after birth are to long-term outcomes. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed Smart Start program would allow an additional 5,000 kids to go to preschool next year, eventually adding a total of 20,000 slots. The plan would also add money to increase wages for early education providers. Illinois Action for Children CEO April Janney said she thinks Pritzker’s proposal is the next iteration of making Illinois a leader in early childhood education. “I think Illinois overall has ...
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March Partner Plan Act E-Newsletter

By IAFC Marketing posted 7 hours ago
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"Race does not biologically exist, yet how we identify with race is so powerful, it influences our experiences and shapes our lives. In a society that privileges white people and whiteness, racist ideas are considered normal throughout our media, culture, social systems, and institutions." - "Being Antiracist," National Museum of African American History and Culture Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3) Regist e r for the 2023 Partner Plan Act conference! This three-day virtual event is free and takes place May 16 through May 18 from 10 a . m . to 2 p . m ...
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February Partner Plan Act E-Newsletter

By IAFC Marketing posted 02-17-2023
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“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare”-Audre Lorde Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3) One of the many resources offered by CS3 are the On-Demand Learning modules, which are designed for collaboration leaders, early childhood advocates, and community members to take e-learning into their own hands. The CS3 team had recently launched the new course “Early Childhood Collaboration Governance.” This course aims to help collaborations navigate and establish a governance structure, which is fundamental to a responsive and effective collaboration. For more information ...
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Governor Pritzker recommits to strengthening early child care programs across the State

By Karen Brown posted 02-16-2023
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Chicago, IL - “Today I ask you to partner with me once again, this time on the long-term investment that has the greatest return for taxpayers with the most positive social and economic impact that I have ever come to you with. It's called Smart Start Illinois... and it will make this the best place in the nation to raise young children.” - Governor J.B. Pritzker. We applaud Governor Pritzker’s continuous efforts to make Illinois the best state to raise a family. The Governor has pledged to make an historic investment that will benefit Illinois’ children, families and the early child care workforce for decades to come. This pledge also includes an investment ...
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IAFC Responds to Gov. JB Pritzker's 2023 Inauguration Remarks

By Karen Brown posted 01-12-2023
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Chicago, IL - Illinois Action for Children (IAFC) applauds Governor J.B. Pritzker for his commitment to making Illinois a leading state for families with young children, as announced during this week’s gubernatorial inauguration. IAFC supports Gov. Pritzker's child-centered vision and priorities for Illinois, which include protecting the health and wellbeing of families and children through high-quality early care and education and other key initiatives. As a state and local leader in organizing, developing, and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most, IAFC is proud of all that Illinois has accomplished in early childhood ...
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Illinois Action for Children is Building Strong Families and Powerful Communities

By Karen Brown posted 01-10-2023
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By Tia Carol Jones Illinois Action for Children began in 1969 with the mission to create opportunities for young children to reach their full potential, educationally and personally. Fifty-three years in, it continues to enable young children from diverse economic, social and cultural backgrounds to thrive. It does this by helping parents and families find affordable, quality childcare and partnering with childcare providers and caregivers to deliver quality childcare. “We’re helping to sustain the household, invest in communities and contribute to the economy,” said April Janney, CEO of Illinois Action for Children. Illinois Action for Children has on-the-ground ...
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January Partner Plan Act E-Newsletter

By IAFC Marketing posted 01-03-2023
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“White privilege works by making the advantages white people have invisible while making the supposedly 'poor' choices of people of color hyper visible.”- Brittney Cooper , Author Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3) Save-the-Date! The annual Partner Plan Act Conference, Equity from the Start: Overcoming Obstacles, Leveraging Opportunities , will take place virtually from May 16-18, 2023. Registration will open in the Spring 2023. Check out the www.partnerplanact.org website for more updates. Is your community making efforts towards creating a more equitable ECEC system? We want to hear from you! Please consider ...
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December Partner Plan Act E-Newsletter

By IAFC Marketing posted 12-14-2022
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“ You have to get over the fear of facing the worst in yourself. You should instead fear unexamined racism. Fear the thought that right now, you could be contributing to the oppression of others, and you don't know it. But do not fear those who bring that oppression to light. Do not fear the opportunity to do better. "– Ijeoma Oluo Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3)    Thank you to those who submitted your votes for the dates for this year’s Partner Plan Act Conference! The CS3 team is excited to announce the annual Partner Plan Act conference will take place virtually on May 16-18, 2023. This year’s conference theme is Equity ...
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October Partner Plan Act E-Newsletter

By IAFC Marketing posted 10-17-2022
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“ Indeed, all the great movements for social justice in our society have strongly emphasized a love ethic .” – bell hooks Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3) We are hiring!   The CS3 team is pleased to announce that there are two open positions available within the team to be filled ASAP- Assistant Director and Program Manager of Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3) .   The Program Manager will provide leadership in the logistics and implementation of key work related to community systems projects. IAFC is searching for an experienced, reliable, and task-oriented individual to ensure administrative systems ...
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April Partner Plan Act E-Newsletter

By IAFC Marketing posted 09-29-2022
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“Our movements themselves have to be healing, or there's no point to them.” – Cara Page Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3) Registration is now live for the annual Partner Plan Act conference! Find more details below or click here to register and learn more . For the first time, the full conference will be translated into Spanish. In addition, the conference is: free to attend Gateway Registry-approved ISBE Professional Development hours-approved. Help us spread the word by reaching out to Kristina Rogers , who can provide you with a marketing toolkit. The CS3 team also recently published the 2022 Collaboration Directory ...
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September 2022 Partner Plan Act E-Newsletter

By IAFC Marketing posted 09-09-2022
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“ Yes, think about yourself, reflect on your practice, okay. But then you need to test it in the world; you’ve got to be with people. That’s important." – Mariame Kaba Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3) Planning for the 2023 Partner Plan Act conference is already underway! This year, the CS3 team is reimagining the advisory committee’s role in the planning process. We hope to share decision-making power among advisory committee members. If you are interested in getting involved or have questions about the committee, please reach out to partnerplanact@actforchildren.org or Kristen Garcia at kristen.garcia@actforchildren.org ...
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August Partner Plan Act E-Newsletter

By IAFC Marketing posted 08-15-2022
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"None of us shows up as a blank slate to anything." -Priya Parker Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3) The fifth cohort of the Partner Plan Act Collaboration Institute launched on July 14, 2022. We are pleased to announce this year’s participating communities: Early Childhood Forum of Central Illinois Jewish Early Childhood Collaborative St. Charles Early Learning Partnership Congratulations! We are so excited to work alongside you to improve outcomes for children and families. Did you miss the deadline to participate in this year’s Partner Plan Act Collaboration Institute? No worries! Consider ...
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June 2022 Partner Plan Act E-Newsletter

By HL Admin posted 06-13-2022
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"Differences are not intended to separate, to alienate. We are different precisely in order to realize our need of one another." -Desmond Tutu Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3) The fifth cohort of the Partner Plan Act Collaboration Institute launches in July 2022. Communities can apply as teams to receive coaching, consultation, and training over the course of a year from our CS3 coaches and trainers. Deepen your collective and individual knowledge on community systems, systems building, and systems change by participating in this free and unique opportunity! To apply and learn more, visit the Partner Plan Act website . You can also download ...
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May 2022 Partner Plan Act E-Newsletter

By HL Admin posted 05-25-2022
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"The systems make us hard. Rest keeps us tender. There is power in our collective rest and care." -The Nap Ministry Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3) The fifth cohort of the Partner Plan Act Collaboration Institute launches in July 2022. Communities can apply as teams to receive coaching, consultation, and training over the course of a year from our CS3 coaches and trainers. Deepen your collective and individual knowledge on community systems, systems building, and systems change by participating in this free and unique opportunity! To apply and learn more, visit the Partner Plan Act website. You can also download the Application Description ...
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May 2022 Partner Plan Act E-Newsletter

By IAFC Marketing posted 05-20-2022
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"The systems make us hard. Rest keeps us tender. There is power in our collective rest and care." – The Nap Ministry Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3) The fifth cohort of the Partner Plan Act Collaboration Institute launches in July 2022. Communities can apply as teams to receive coaching, consultation, and training over the course of a year from our CS3 coaches and trainers. Deepen your collective and individual knowledge on community systems, systems building, and systems change by participating in this free and unique opportunity! To apply and learn more, visit the Partner Plan Act website. You can also download the Application Description ...
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May 2022 Partner Plan Act E-Newsletter

By IAFC Marketing posted 05-20-2022
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"The systems make us hard. Rest keeps us tender. There is power in our collective rest and care." – The Nap Ministry Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3) The fifth cohort of the Partner Plan Act Collaboration Institute launches in July 2022. Communities can apply as teams to receive coaching, consultation, and training over the course of a year from our CS3 coaches and trainers. Deepen your collective and individual knowledge on community systems, systems building, and systems change by participating in this free and unique opportunity! To apply and learn more, visit the Partner Plan Act website. You can also download the Application Description ...
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IAFC Responds to Illinois General Assembly FY23 Budget

By IAFC Marketing posted 04-11-2022
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For Immediate Release: 04.09.22 Contact: Wendy Cullitan , Director of Marketing & Communications, (847) 337-4461 or Michael Kim , Director of Policy, 617-717-7325 ILLINOIS ACTION FOR CHILDREN RESPONDS TO THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FY 2023 BUDGET Chicago … Today, the Illinois General Assembly passed a state budget that included some important investments for early care and education. Illinois Action for Children (IAFC) applauds the increased funding to the Early Childhood Block Grant (10%), Early Intervention (6.4%), and home visiting programs (6%). Advocates had been asking for a 10 percent increase to four early childhood ...
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Weekly News: April 6, 2022

By Chris Talley posted 04-06-2022
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» Pritzker signs bill creating paid COVID sick leave for all vaccinated school employees (Chalkbeat) » Freedom School Advocates Say $17M Grant Brings Hope for Future Programs (WTTW) » How Women Billionaires Are Changing The Face Of Early Childhood Education And Care – And Philanthropy (Forbes) » Child Tax Credit expansion creates refund roller coaster (Politico) ...
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Weekly News: March 30, 2022

By Chris Talley posted 03-30-2022
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» What 5 Graphics Tell Us About COVID Vaccine Disparity In Chicago Schools (Block Club Chicago) » Focusing on rural Illinois, law enforcement calls for stronger early childhood services (WMBD News) » Seen in school: How COVID shaped two years of education (Chalkbeat) » Biden proposes massive hikes in education spending (Washington Post) ...
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Weekly News: March 23, 2022

By Chris Talley posted 03-23-2022
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» Chicago Elementary School Brings Back Mask Requirement Due to COVID Breakout (NBC Chicago) » An Illinois bill blocking testing for early learners clears committee (Chalkbeat) » Pressure Mounts on Congress to Address Early Education (U.S. News) » Moderna says low-dose COVID shots for kids under 6 are safe and effective (PBS) ...
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