Resources

Early Childhood System Videos

The early childhood system is complex – comprising of different programs and funding streams. Sometimes, it may be hard to understand the early childhood system and how to best serve young children and families in Illinois. Through the generous support of the Boeing Company, Illinois Action for Children produced a series of eight videos, each providing an overview of a different part of the early childhood system. The videos are intended to help parents, individuals, and organizations that work with families and young children understand how they can best identify and access helpful services.

Each two-minute video provides a brief overview of the following programs that are part of the early childhood system.

Share the Videos and Resources

Please share the fact sheets and the website link to these video resources with your local collaboration and community partners!

Are you interested in hosting a community viewing of the videos? Feel free to contact partnerplanact@actforchildren.org if you would like someone from Illinois Action for Children to help promote the videos or if you would like to host a community event!

Tips

Looking for ideas on using the videos to build your collaboration? Check out these tips that come directly from collaborations who are using the videos with success!

Additional Resources

ABLe Change Framework

Asset Based Community Development

Early Childhood System Videos

Primeros Años de Infancia - Videos En Español

Advocacy and Community Engagement

IECAM

Publications

Early Head Start/Head Start Program

This video features the Early Head Start/Head Start program for eligible children ages birth through five years old and their families. To learn more about Early Head Start and Head Start, download a fact sheet on the program.

Child Care Assistance Program

This video features the Child Care Assistance Program, a program that provides financial assistance for quality child care for eligible families.

Home Visiting

This video describes home visiting programs that are available to eligible families and children. To learn more about home visiting programs, download a fact sheet on the program.

Early Childhood Special Education

This video features the early childhood special education program that is available to eligible young children ages three to five years old that may need support for identified disabilities. To learn more about Early Childhood Special Education, download a fact sheet on the program.

Early Intervention

This video describes the Early Intervention program that is available for eligible children ages birth to three years old that have developmental delays. To learn more about Early Intervention, download a fact sheet on the program.

Child Welfare

This video features programs that support young children and their families that are part of the child welfare system to access early childhood supports. The three major services featured are 1) Early Childhood Project, 3) School Readiness Unit, and 3) the Teen Parenting Service network. To learn more about Child Welfare, download a fact sheet on the program.

Preschool for All Programs

This video shares information about the Preschool for All program that is available to eligible children ages three up to five years old. To learn more about Preschool for All program, download a fact sheet on the program.

TANF, WIC and Family Case Management

This video features three programs that are administered through the Illinois Department of Human Services that support families with young children:

TANF, (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families),
WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), and
Family Case Management (FCM)

To learn more about TANF, WIC, and Family Case Management, download a fact sheet on the program.