High-Quality Early Development & Learning
Revamp & strengthen programs to support the needs of infants and toddlers and the professionals who work with them.
Despite research that consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of early learning and development interventions, the United States invests relatively little in its youngest learners. In Illinois, the impacts of this reality are critical.
Early Care & Learning
Provide a continuum of affordable, inclusive, and high-quality early childhood programs that meet the needs of every family with an infant or toddler.
Early Intervention
Deliver timely and high-quality Early Intervention services to all eligible infants, toddlers, and their families.
News & Resources
Raising Illinois Family Leader Applications Open!
October 1, 2026 Applications Now Open for Raising Illinois’ Family Leader Program! The Raising Illinois Family Leadership Program is accepting new applications! Raising Illinois elevates the voices, experiences, and expertise of parents, caregivers, and expectant families…
Raising Illinois Statement on Head Start NPRM
August 7, 2026 Raising Illinois Statement on Head Start NPRM Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) that would fundamentally weaken the Head Start Program Performance…
Spring 2026 Legislative Wrap-Up
June 24, 2026 Spring 2026 Legislative Wrap-Up Amid state governance transition and an ever-changing federal landscape, the Illinois General Assembly advanced several key proposals relevant to expecting families, infants and toddlers In the early morning of…