COVID-19 in Child Care GOECD Briefing |
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Thank you to those who were able to attend our most recent GOECD Briefing, during which IDPH Epidemiologist, Shelby Daniel-Wayman, shared the latest data on COVID-19 in Illinois child care settings. A recording and presentation slides from the December 9, 2021, COVID-19 in Child Care GOECD Briefing can be accessed using the buttons below. |
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COVID-19 Resources for Early Childhood Educators |
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The GOECD website provides COVID-19 information for early childhood educators. Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) providers will find information on vaccines, as well as links to the most current guidance and opportunities, such as the new Strengthen and Grow Child Care Grant, the recently extended Child Care Restoration Grants, and the Workforce Bonus. There are general resources for all early childhood providers, as well as targeted resources for early intervention, home visiting, and child care leaders. |
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Flu Season, COVID-19, and the Importance of Well-Child Visits |
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School-aged children are more likely to seek medical care due to the influenza virus (the flu) than adults. Taking steps to reduce influenza among children helps to reduce transmission of the flu in families and the community. Getting a flu shot is especially important during COVID-19, as hospitals and care centers are experiencing high volumes of patients and strains with staff shortages. Children ages 5+ are eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. COVID-19 and flu vaccines can be given at the same time.
Additionally, well-child visits are always important, and some of the benefits include: tracking growth and development, an opportunity for parents/caregivers to raise concerns, a team approach to raising a healthy, happy child, and prevention of illness through vaccinations given at these appointments. Families are encouraged to keep their appointments, get vaccinated, and visit HealthyChildren.org (the American Academy of Pediatrics Parenting website) for more information.
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Click below to access COVID-19 Resources for: |
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Gov. Pritzker Announces $300 Million in Nation-Leading Child Care Recovery Grants |
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On December 2, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Secretary Grace B. Hou announced that $300 million in new relief grants will be made available to child care providers across the State. The State is also extending the Child Care Restoration Grant (CCRG) program by providing nearly $50 million to previous grant recipients. This investment brings the State’s child care pandemic relief grant total to more than $1 billion. The administration’s comprehensive support programming has prevented the mass closure of child care facilities across the State and provided families with safe places to care for their children as they reenter the workforce. This new funding will additionally help recruit and retain a robust early childhood workforce. |
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GOECD Launches Build Back Better Resource Page |
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President Joe Biden's Build Back Better Framework includes transformative investments in children and caregiving, efforts to combat climate change, expansion of affordable health care, and strategies to bring down costs and strengthen the middle class. The investments in early childhood offer universal and free preschool to all three and four year olds, funding for child care that will decrease the cost for families, and an extension of the American Rescue Plan's expanded Child Tax Credit. GOECD's new Build Back Better webpage will be updated regularly to ensure the early childhood field has access to the most up-to-date information and resources on the Build Back Better Framework.
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IDES Prepares for Change to Unemployment Insurance Benefit Banking & Payment Methods |
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Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced that in the coming weeks, unemployment insurance benefit payments will no longer be made by debit card. Beginning December 27, 2021, claimants who defaulted to a debit card option as their preferred method of payment will begin receiving paper checks instead of the benefits being placed on a debit card. The Department will continue to make benefit payments as normal to those claimants who chose to receive them via direct deposit. For more information, click on the buttons below. |
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January is National Birth Defects Awareness Month |
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes January as National Birth Defects Awareness Month. This is a time to raise awareness about birth defects and highlight efforts to improve the health of people living with these conditions across their lifespan.
Birth defects are structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any part of the body. Advancements in medicine and surgery have led to better survival. Thankfully, more children born with birth defects grow up to lead full lives. Awareness of birth defects across the lifespan helps provide individuals, parents, and families affected by birth defects the information they need to seek proper care. It also gives healthcare professionals the evidence they need to deliver the best care for patients across all stages of life: before and during pregnancy, as well as in infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
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New Report on Strengthening Inclusion of Young Children with Delays and Disabilities Across Early Childhood Settings |
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In March 2021, Start Early received a short-term exploratory grant from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities to gather insights from school management associations and school district leaders, including principals, superintendents, school board members, and early childhood and early childhood special education coordinators, on what Local Education Agencies (LEAs) would need to be able to support preschool aged children with disabilities in accessing their special education and related services across all settings, with a focus on community-based settings.
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Prenatal to Three Supplement to the Illinois Risk and Reach Report |
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The Illinois Risk and Reach Report presents county-by-county data on risk factors that undermine optimal child development, as well as the reach of publicly funded programs and services that support early childhood well-being. Data is organized by three domains: family stability, health, and early care and education. This new report, the Prenatal to Three Supplement to the Risk and Reach Report, focuses on data specific to infants and toddlers. GOECD, Erikson Institute, Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map (IECAM), and Raising Illinois collaborated on this project, which shows 2019 and 2020 data on risk factors to optimal child development and supports for children and families. This project was funded by the Illinois Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5).
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Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program |
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If you work or have worked in early childhood education and you're seeking additional credentials and/or a degree in early childhood education, you may be eligible for the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program. The program was created to address the shortage of qualified early childhood educators by encouraging the pursuit of credentials and advancement of already-held degrees in early childhood education, with an aim toward building a strong, well-prepared workforce. Recipients of the scholarship are expected to continue or return to teaching or direct services in the early childhood care and education field in Illinois after they complete their program of study.
Awards are available for undergraduate study at public and non-profit private 2- and 4-year Gateways-entitled and Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity member institutions. For students attending community colleges and public universities, the scholarship will cover the applicant's total cost of attendance for an academic year (including summer) after other financial aid received. Students at participating non-profit private institutions may receive an amount no more than the cost of the most expensive program of study in the early childhood education field at an Illinois public college.
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Participate in the 2022 Partner Plan Act Conference |
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The annual Partner Plan Act conference will take place virtually on June 7-8, 2022. This year’s conference theme is Equity from the Start: Taking Action, Shifting Power. At the 2021 conference, participants reimagined what the sector could look like when the work centers around those most impacted. At the next conference, we want to hear how folks are operationalizing racial equity in their communities. Registration opens in March—visit www.PartnerPlanAct.org for the latest information as the conference nears.
Additionally, have ideas for how to shift power to communities in the early childhood system? If your community is doing great work and taking action to create a more equitable and just system, we want to hear from you!
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Illinois Board of Higher Education is Hiring |
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The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) is looking for a passionate and dedicated Assistant Project Director to assist with the development of the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity, an innovative and transformative cross-agency initiative designed to ensure seamless educational pathways for the early childhood workforce. Work locations are Chicago or Springfield, with the possibility of remote work. The position is grant funded for a term of up to three years.
Descriptions for other positions IBHE is seeking to fill, such as an Associate Director for Learning Renewal, a Senior Associate Director of Strategic Communications, and a Deputy Director of Budget and Fiscal Affairs, can also be found on their website.
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