Greetings Early Childhood Community, |
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Juneteenth - A year after protests for racial justice swept the nation, and as we begin to plan celebrations for Independence Day on July 4th, it is imperative to remember and reflect on Juneteenth. Juneteenth has historically been known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when a group of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas finally learned they were free from the institution of slavery. This announcement was almost two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. notes that freedom wasn’t automatic for Texas’s 250,000 enslaved people. “On plantations, masters had to decide when and how to announce the news—or wait for a government agent to arrive—and it was not uncommon for them to delay until after the harvest,” Gates notes.
The American public continues to find it challenging to talk about slavery and its ongoing consequences. It has been referred to as the “the afterlife of slavery”. As nurturers of the next generation, we must not allow systemic racism to go unchallenged and unnoticed. If we do not address history, history will continue to repeat itself. "An America that looks away is ignoring not just the sins of the past but the sins of the present and the certain sins of the future." (Ta-Nehisi Coates). Juneteenth is acknowledging the painful memories of the way this country was built.
The events of the last year have brought the holiday of Juneteenth to new prominence across the country. As a nation looking to Juneteenth and celebrating and commemorating—this is progress. The celebration provides opportunities and platforms for people to have conversations, sometimes difficult conversations. What matters are the actions that are taken. The day was recognized as a federal holiday by President Joe Biden on June 17, 2021, when he signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Governor JB Pritzker also signed a bill to commemorate the date in 1865, making Juneteenth a state holiday in Illinois.
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Jamilah R. Jor'dan, PhD
Executive Director
Illinois Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD)
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New Website: Illinois Cares for Kids |
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Illinois Cares for Kids is one place families, grandparents, and caretakers can access all things related to early childhood education and care in Illinois. Find resources, programs, and support for infants, toddlers, preschool, or school-aged children. You can even search for child care and early learning programs near you! The full site is available in English and Spanish.
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Family Advisory Committee (FAC) Hosts Their First Meetings |
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GOECD and the Illinois Early Learning Council are proud to announce the Family Advisory Committee (FAC) has officially hosted their first two meetings on May 27th and June 10th. The 16-member parent leader group presented and discussed their committee goals: increasing enrollment in child care settings across the State, creating a standardized process for parent engagement across education programs and systems, and identifying barriers and solutions for inclusion related to disabilities, racial and economic disparities, and culturally responsive practices in Early Intervention and child care settings.
The idea for establishing the FAC was first presented to the ELC Executive Committee in 2016 by the Family Engagement and Implementation Subcommittee (FEIS) to include parent voice, perspective, and experience to the early childhood education and care policy landscape. The FAC was formalized in November 2020 when 16 parent leaders representing diverse racial, ethnic, linguistic, family makeup, and communities throughout the state of Illinois were selected to serve.
The FAC invites members of the ELC, parents, and community members to attend their meetings. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, August 12, 2021, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Meeting information can be found on the ELC calendar on the GOECD website.
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IWSE's Baby Toddler Nursery Turns 50 as First Infant and Toddler Center in Illinois and One of Five in the Nation |
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Infant Welfare Society of Evanston’s (IWSE) Baby Toddler Nursery was the first of its kind in Illinois and only the fifth in the nation to open its doors in August 1971. What made it novel was the population it served; the nursery cared for infants between the ages of six months and two-and-a-half years, Mondays through Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Fifty years later, IWSE still cares for children as young as six weeks old. This milestone event is cause for celebration on its own, but even more so this year after what the teachers, staff, families, and children at IWSE have experienced dealing with COVID-19 – both the illness and prevention.
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New: Monthly Dad Support Group |
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Postpartum Support International is offering free online space for dads to connect with other dads and gain practical tips from managing stress, adjusting to parenting, Daddy Blues, or trying to figure out how best to support their partner. These sessions are taking place the first Friday of every month at 9:00 a.m. (Central Standard Time). |
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GOECD is Hiring for Two Open Positions |
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The Senior Data Analyst executes, supports, and manages data projects at the regional, state, and local levels for the Preschool Development Birth through Five (PDG B-5) grant. This position is housed at GOECD. |
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The ExceleRate Pilot Support Specialist aggregates and analyzes financial and quality data from the ExceleRate Child Care Center Pilot to support formative and summative evaluation. The goal of the ExceleRate Pilot Project is to test whether certain financial supports combined with new performance requirements will help child care programs improve quality. This position is housed at GOECD. |
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For the positions above, please send a cover letter and resume to: Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development c/o GOV.OECD@Illinois.gov.
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Illinois’ Early Childhood Education Transformation Team is embedded in the Governor’s Office and is established in partnership with Northern Illinois University.
The Transformation Team will work collaboratively with the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois State Board of Education to administer federal relief funds received in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure alignment with the State’s early childhood priorities. To establish the Transformation Team, a Policy Analyst will serve as a core member of the team to help implement Illinois’ commitment to improve governance and financing for early childhood services and supports for families, children birth-to-five, and the early childhood workforce.
The position is a full-time position with Northern Illinois University in partnership with the Office of the Governor. The position is based in the Chicago office of Governor Pritzker with a mix of in-person and remote work.
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Building on over a decade of planning and foundational investments, Illinois is launching a statewide regional and community infrastructure with the goal of improving quality, equity, and accessibility in the State's early childhood system. To better serve the ever-changing needs of children and families across Illinois' 102 counties, a regional and community-based system will be rolled out over the next two years to transform the State's governance and financing of early childhood services.
The ideal Director of Regional & Community Systems candidate will have the opportunity to use their commitment to equity, collaboration, and systems-building to impact early learning opportunities for children across Illinois. The Director will facilitate collaboration and alignment within and beyond the early childhood field, leveraging services, supports, and resources that help children thrive regardless of geography, income, or race.
The Director will support the State's data priorities and strategies, ensure alignment with the State's professional development system, and promote quality in all parts of the early childhood system. In addition to directly supervising the members of State Regional and Community Systems Team, the Regional & Community Systems Director will be responsible for providing direction, support, and resources to 38 regional councils and varying numbers of local collaborations within each of those councils.
This position will be housed with the Illinois Network of Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA). While the organization is located in Central Illinois, the position can be based anywhere within the state of Illinois and will be provided office space in Chicago as well as at INCCRRA. This position will require regular travel throughout the State.
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McCormick Foundation is Hiring: Education Program Officer |
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The Robert R. McCormick Foundation’s Education Program is looking for someone passionate about early childhood and K-12 and committed to ensuring more equitable outcomes of groups historically disadvantaged and most at risk of longer-term school failure. The ideal candidate will be a solutions-oriented project manager who can balance competing priorities, engage effectively with internal and external partners, think strategically, and apply philanthropic principles. The Education Program Officer will be a thought partner to the Program Director; stay abreast of policy developments, news, and recent research findings in the sector; and ensure forward momentum with grant proposals as well as the various initiatives in which the program either leads or participates. This is a promising career opportunity for someone who loves project management and wants to sharpen his or her skills as a future education policy expert. |
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HANA Center is Hiring: Director of Early Childhood Education |
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HANA Center (HANA) is a Chicago-area non-profit organization working to meet the critical needs of Korean, Asian American, and multiethnic immigrant communities and build power toward systemic change. HANA Center has offices in Chicago and Prospect Heights, Illinois.
HANA’s Chicago-based Early Childhood Center (ECC) utilizes a strengths-based, culturally-rooted approach to provide high-quality early care and education for multiethnic immigrant children ages 15 months to 5 years old, and their families. Children enrolled in HANA’s ECC are equipped with tools to learn, thrive, and develop an understanding from an early age of how they can be agents of positive social change. HANA’s ECC is licensed to serve 60 children.
The Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE) oversees all programming and operations of HANA’s ECC. The Director is responsible for fostering a collaborative work environment and developing the tools and systems needed to support implementation of missionally aligned education, family engagement, and staff development strategies.
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GOECD Webinar Briefing: I/ECMHC |
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The first of GOECD's quarterly series, this month's GOECD Briefing featured updates on Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (I/ECMHC) in Illinois by Christine Brambila, GOECD's I/ECMHC Coordinator. Please click the buttons below to access the presentation slides and the recording. |
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The Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) Education Reimbursement Initiative is Available |
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If you currently attend an accredited Illinois college or university, you can apply for a maximum of $600 to repay existing debt owed directly to your higher education institution.
Funding will be given to early educators (center director, assistant director, teacher, assistant teacher, family child care provider, family child care assistant, group home provider, group home assistant, Preschool for All teacher, or Preschool for All teacher aide) working directly with children ages birth through five who are employed by an Illinois early childhood program and are currently enrolled in coursework at an accredited Illinois college or university. Illinois early educators who are attempting to enroll in coursework at an accredited Illinois college or university but are blocked from doing so due to a current outstanding balance may also apply. Educators performing other direct services in early childhood settings and educators working in license exempt programs are not being considered for reimbursement through this program at this time.
This is a limited time offer available through December 2021, or until funding has been expended.
Please email PDA@ilgateways.com for more information or to submit your completed application and required documents.
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New Fact Sheet for Immigrant Families on Public Charge |
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Many parents do not access important services and resources for their children because of concerns it may count against them when applying for a green card. Developed by the Latino Policy Forum, "Keeping Your Children Healthy, Safe and School Ready: 3 Facts Immigrant Parents Should Know About Public Charge" provides current information about public charge in Spanish and English:
- Services received by children at and through school are not subject to public charge.
- Your children’s participation in health insurance, nutrition, and housing programs helps to keep them healthy, safe, and school-ready.
- Applying on behalf of children for any public benefit or program will not count against a parent for public charge.
The fact sheet also lists many health, nutrition, and housing programs that are available and includes links for more information and how to apply.
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Alliance for Early Success Highlights Legislative Milestones In Illinois |
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Ireta Gasner, Vice President of Illinois Policy at Start Early, shared with the Alliance for Early Success the collaborative efforts of Illinois early childhood advocates and the Legislative Black Caucus to to push to end the historic disparities facing Black Illinoisans. On March 8, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the education pillar, which became known as the Education and Workforce Equity Act (HB 210). Click the button below to read more about the early childhood provisions and enhancements to children's and women's health in Illinois.
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Rental Assistance Programs: A Guide for Illinois Residents |
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The Illinois Access to Justice Rental Assistance Guide provides an overview of the following programs currently available to all Illinoisans:
- Illinois Rental Repayment Program by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)
- Illinois Housing Help by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
- Emergency Rental Assistance Program by the City of Chicago Department of Housing (DOH)
The programs provide a combination of emergency financial assistance, legal assistance, case management, and community outreach to address the housing crisis for Illinois residents. All three programs will offer assistance of up to 15 months of rent through June 30, 2021. Maximum rental assistance, locations served, application process, and additional types of assistance will vary by program. All programs are open to people living in Illinois regardless of immigration status. Individuals can apply to all three programs but will only be granted assistance from one program.
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Eviction Help Illinois is a state-funded network of 16 non-profit organizations providing free legal aid, mediation services, and connections to other resources, including rental assistance, in response to the eviction crisis. Mediation is an opportunity for landlords and tenants to resolve issues with the help of a knowledgeable and neutral person. These services are funded via a partnership between the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation. Click on the links below to find out if you are eligible. |
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Maria Whelan Leadership Institute and Legacy Fund |
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Exactly one year after Maria Whelan’s earthly departure, Illinois Action for Children is proud to announce the development of the Maria Whelan Leadership Institute and Legacy Fund.
The Maria Whelan Leadership Institute will focus on strengthening the early childhood workforce by fostering the growth of the next generation of leaders and advocates. The Leadership Institute will laser-focus on continuing and amplifying her desire to create more equitable opportunities for early childhood professionals across the field.
Maria believed that the best ways to support children included supporting and partnering with the adults in their lives—especially the teachers, the providers, the staff, and the advocates—who are the child care and early education workforce. These are the people who teach, nurture, and care for children during the times their parents cannot.
The Maria Whelan Leadership Institute will:
- Develop leaders and advocates who will help redefine excellence in the field.
- Advance racial, gender, and economic equity for child care providers, families, and children.
- Grow the pipeline of highly-skilled professionals and advocates to ensure the stability of the early childhood workforce.
- Increase high-quality providers/educators who will provide children with excellent, equitable academic and developmental experiences.
Maria had a “vision for better”. Together, Illinois can help bring her vision to reality by elevating the child care and early education profession so all our children are ready to thrive in school and in life.
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ReadyNation: The Infant-Toddler Child Care Crisis Inflicts Economic Damage Across the Nation |
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ReadyNation’s study examining the economic impacts of the nation’s infant-toddler child care crisis on working parents, employers, and taxpayers found an annual cost of $57 billion in lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
Using data on the proportion of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and population each state represents, ReadyNation derived an estimate of the economic impact of the infant-toddler child care crisis in each state.
In Illinois alone, that figure comes to $2.4 billion a year, as detailed in the report that ReadyNation Illinois issued just before the pandemic hit last year. This price tag reflects costs to individual families (e.g. lost wages), parents' employers (e.g. reduced productivity), and Illinois' federal tax base.
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New Educational Development Center Blog Post: The Critical Role of Home Visiting in Recognizing and Addressing Paternal Depression |
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According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, up to 25% of fathers experience depression during their partner’s pregnancy or the year following birth. When the mother is also depressed, this number can increase to 50%. Studies also show that a child’s development is significantly impacted, in both the short and long term, when both parents are depressed.
In this blog post, Allison Parish, the director of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Technical Assistance Resource Center, and a faculty member of HV CoIIN 2.0’s Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) team, describes the profound impact home visiting has on addressing paternal depression.
The following are some steps the home visiting field can take:
- Routinely screen fathers and other male caregivers. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, a screening tool commonly used for mothers, has been validated for men. It could easily be administered during home visits and/or visits to the medical provider.
- Recognize the symptoms of depression in fathers. Most people do not know that fathers’ hormones also change during the pregnancy, which can impact their mood. Men who are depressed may appear angry, withdrawn, or irritable, and they may not find pleasure in activities they used to enjoy.
- Understand that addressing depression is the first step in father engagement. The field of home visiting has been working diligently to increase father engagement, but there is a missed opportunity if home visitors fail to recognize and address the mental health issues that may stand in the way.
As noted above, Postpartum Support International has launched a free monthly dad support group. These sessions are taking place the first Friday of every month at 9:00 a.m. (Central Standard Time). Click on the button below to register and join.
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Staff Recruitment & Retention through a Health Equity Lens |
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The MIECHV Technical Assistance Resource Center recently prepared a “Service Spotlight” to emphasize the link between two topic areas—staff recruitment and retention, and health equity. The document provides suggestions for how to apply an equity lens when facing challenges related to the recruitment and retention of home visitors. |
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Click below to access COVID-19 Resources for: |
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