GOECD Welcomes a New Team Member - Jean Davis |
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Jean Davis is joining GOECD as the Health Policy Coordinator. She began her career supporting women’s access to education, child care, and family leave through a national women’s organization. She then moved to the American Academy of Pediatrics, serving in several different roles to promote child health and well-being. As a state government affairs policy analyst, she supported implementation of the Children’s Health Insurance Program and monitored the impact of Medicaid managed care on children’s access to health care. Later, she led the health financing and practice areas. Most recently, she ran programs to encourage health care providers to collaborate with community leaders and organizations to improve child health at the local level. She also provided staff support to committees focused on caring for children in immigrant families, addressing child poverty and promoting child health equity. Jean received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Master’s in Public Policy from Georgetown University. Jean and her husband Glenn have two teenage sons, Griffin and Owen. Jean is eager to help strengthen coordination and collaboration of health care and early childhood and support GOECD’s work to promote equity for all children.
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2020 Illinois Early Learning Council Annual Report |
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On behalf of Jesse H. Ruiz, Illinois Early Learning Council Co-Chair and Deputy Governor for Education in the Office of the Governor, and Phyllis Glink, Illinois Early Learning Council Co-Chair and Executive Director of the Irving Harris Foundation, we invite you to view the 2020 Illinois Early Learning Council Annual Report. Thank you to the members, committee co-chairs, and staffers for their contributions to this report. |
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INCCRRA Releases Important Insight into the Early Childhood Workforce in Our State |
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The Gateways to Opportunity Registry was established in 2009 to be a workforce data repository for Illinois' early childhood education professionals. The Illinois Early Childhood Workforce Report draws on that system to provide rich, descriptive data about the workforce, sharing aggregated information about their demographics, education and credentials, compensation, and longevity in the field. This snapshot of the workforce is designed to provide insight about these hardworking professionals so policymakers, advocates, and higher education leaders can improve career pathways, increase retention, and significantly raise compensation. |
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Release of the Illinois Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report |
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The Office of Women’s Health and Family Services of the Illinois Department of Public Health is excited to share the new Illinois Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report and corresponding one-page summary of the report. This report addresses key statistics on chronic disease during pregnancy, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal deaths from 2016-2017. It also shares information about the Illinois Maternal Mortality Review Committees and their recommendations to prevent future deaths. |
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Stay Updated: 30-minute GOECD Briefing |
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GOECD will be hosting a webinar "Stay Updated: 30-minute GOECD Briefing" on Thursday June 3, 2021, from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. to provide updates on the efforts and initiatives currently underway to improve the early childhood education and care workforce. This webinar will focus on Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation. |
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Recognizing Dr. Sylvia Puente For Her Achievement |
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Sylvia Puente, president and CEO of the Latino Policy Forum, received an honorary doctorate and addressed new Roosevelt University graduates at the virtual 2021 Commencement ceremony. The Latino Policy Forum is a nonprofit that works for equity, justice, and economic prosperity on behalf of Latinos in Illinois. Over more than a decade at its helm, Puente has grown the organization into a central voice on Latino issues. In her speech, Puente shared the life lessons that have helped her stay grounded and focused in her journey. She also urged graduates to “go beyond themselves” to serve others and addressed today’s challenges. |
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UPDATED: Restore Illinois Licensed Day Care Guidance & License Exempt School-Aged Guidance |
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Effective May 17, 2021, the State of Illinois has now entered the Bridge Phase of Restore Illinois. Technical changes have been made to Paragraph E, PPE Face Coverings, and further changes to this Guidance are forthcoming. |
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Governor Pritzker Aligns Illinois Mask Guidance with CDC for Fully Vaccinated People |
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Following guidance from the CDC that fully vaccinated people can stop wearing a mask and practicing social distancing in most indoor and outdoor settings, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) have announced that Illinois will align State executive orders with the latest CDC guidance and rescind IDPH emergency rules enforcing masking and distance.
The CDC continues to require masks for everyone in healthcare settings, in congregate settings, and on transit. In addition, in line with CDC guidance, the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health require masks in schools. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services requires masks in daycare.
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Register for a COVID-19 Vaccine Virtual Town Hall on June 11 |
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Join Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III of Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ for a virtual town hall on the COVID-19 vaccine on June 11, 2021, from 3-4:15 p.m. Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III will moderate a conversation and take live questions from attendees. Dr. Geraldine Luna (Chicago Department of Public Health & Medical Organization for Latino Advancement) and other medical experts will be panelists.
Registration is free. Live Spanish translation will be provided.
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Share Your Story: COVID-19 Digital Resource Center |
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Illinois Action for Children's Caring for Children During COVID-19 website now features additional resources to assist you in finding COVID-19 testing and vaccine information. This website also has a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section with information from the CDC and other trusted sources on the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, along with the latest news on eligibility and information on how you can share your vaccination story.
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Click below to access more COVID-19 Resources for: |
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There's Still Time to Register: Partner Plan Act Virtual Conference |
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Illinois Action for Children's Partner Plan Act Virtual Summit - Equity from the Start: Reimagining the Early Childhood System - is a three-day virtual event of learning, convening, and courageous conversations. This year’s opening keynote speaker is Vu Le, founder of Nonprofit AF, where he humorously tackles topics like funding, community engagement, and culture through weekly blog posts. Professor John A. Powell will deliver the closing keynote address that will inspire to dream big and reimagine early childhood. In addition, this year’s breakout sessions will feature communities from all across Illinois and daily mini storytelling workshops provided by Chicago’s own Moth StorySLAM champion, Lily Be, to help spark creativity. The event is FREE and will be held virtually from June 8-10, 2021. You can register for the entire three-day event or only for the conversations and presentations that are of interest.
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New Initiative Supporting ECE Leaders: Quality Facilities for All! |
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IFF is excited and honored to offer early childhood education leaders in high-need communities across Illinois an opportunity to receive up to $50,000 in facilities-focused grants, leadership and professional development opportunities, and technical assistance through the Quality Facilities for All (QFA) Initiative.
QFA is committed to expanding and improving access to infant and toddler care across Illinois by addressing facility quality concerns related to indoor air quality, temperature, ventilation, noise, lighting, classroom furnishing, and outdoor play areas. These factors contribute to high-quality learning environments, which are proven to positively impact the learning, development, and well-being of infants and toddlers. QFA is a statewide program that will focus on high-need communities identified by IFF research, with a current focus on Englewood, Roseland, and South Lawndale. View two Quality Facilities for All pilot projects in Chicago by clicking here.
Applications for Quality Facilities for All will be available June 1st. Additionally, there will be an information session hosted by IFF on Tuesday, June 8th from 3:00-4:00pm CST. Join to learn more about the program, meet the QFA team, and ask any questions you might have. The information session is free and RSVP is required.
For additional information and eligibility criteria, please visit IFF's website.
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Applications Open for FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program |
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- Up to a $50-per-month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
Only one monthly service discount and one device discount are allowed per household. Program rules acknowledge that there may be more than one eligible household member residing at the same address.
Additional information about the EBB Program is available in this Overview Module. Help in applying for the program is available from the Emergency Broadband Support Center by emailing EBBHelp@usac.org or calling (833) 511-0311.
Apply Early! The EBB Program will end when funds are exhausted or six months after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health emergency, whichever is sooner.
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GOECD is Hiring an ExceleRate Pilot Support Specialist |
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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.
Interested applicants should send a Cover Letter and Resume to: Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development c/o GOV.OECD@Illinois.gov.
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ROE 51 is looking to hire a phenomenal leader to implement professional learning and support teachers and students as a KIDS coach!
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With each project Chapin Hall pursues, they put together a team uniquely suited to meet the challenge of the work. These teams include subject matter experts in child well-being and public policy, as well as those with expertise in research, data management, IT, and administrative functions. Might you have the qualifications to contribute to the work to improve the lives of children, families, and communities? Check out these eight open positions: three in policy, three in research, and two in administration.
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IHSA is Hiring for a Data Coordination Specialist |
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The Illinois Head Start Association (IHSA) is seeking an experienced Head Start/Early Head Start professional who is well respected among our community to enhance the understanding of the State’s early childhood data system among Head Start/Early Head Start programs and support data sharing agreements between Head Start/Early Head Start and the Illinois Department of Human Services. |
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Resources for Asian American Pacific Islander Month |
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Despite the richness and diversity of our communities, anti-AAPI hate continues to increase with Illinois ranking seventh in the nation in the number of reported incidents. This past March, we witnessed the horrific targeted, racial, and gendered fatal shooting of eight innocent lives, the majority being Asian American women. We see the effects of racism impacting children and families, as parents and children fear the return to in-person learning.
In the recent STAATUS Index Report 2021, 80% of Asian Americans reported currently experiencing racial discrimination. Yet 37% of White Americans reported unawareness of the increasing racism and hate crimes against AAPIs as related to the pandemic, with 24% not seeing anti-AAPI racism as a problem to address.
Even within the current climate of increased racism and hate crimes, it is also important to celebrate and recognize AAPI joy, resilience, achievement, leaders, artists, and communities in Illinois. This highlights all the more reason to take time this month to learn about and celebrate AAPI history and experiences.
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Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month |
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The State of Illinois celebrates Mental Health Awareness month in May to:
- Recognize that positive mental health is essential to the overall quality of life and well-being of people across Illinois;
- Support Illinoisans living with mental health disorders; and
- Increase awareness of emotional support resources for individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, recent gun violence, and racially motivated assaults.
Nearly 44 million American adults, and millions of children, experience mental health conditions each year, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress. Living through the COVID-19 pandemic, recent high-profile gun violence killings, and racially-motivated assaults, has heightened the stress and trauma faced by many, adding to the numbers of people struggling with mental health challenges.
GOECD is committed to promoting and creating awareness around the importance of mental health and helping in the healing of those who need it most.
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