Babies Can’t Wait: We Need EI Campaign Update
December 18, 2024 Babies Can’t Wait: We Need EI Campaign Update Updates from the first phase of our campaign for increased EI funding in the Illinois state budget Raising Illinois Champions & Contributors know that our Early Intervention (EI) system is in crisis. EI providers, many of whom have advanced degrees, are choosing to leave…
Read MoreIntroducing: 2024 Family Leaders
February 23, 2024 Introducing: 2024 Family Leaders Welcome to our 6 new Family Leaders! After a year marked by remarkable prenatal-to-three achievements and the launch of Governor Pritzker’s Smart Start Illinois initiative, we are thrilled to expand our Family Leader program and welcome 6 new members to our team! The aim of our Family Leader…
Read MoreThoughtfully Engaging Our Communities
Thoughtfully Engaging our Communities in 2024 Family, Field, and Community Engagement Lead Jesse Rojo shares what’s on the horizon Raising Illinois takes great pride in our commitment to Family, Field, and Community Engagement, a cornerstone of our coalition’s mission. We know that families and community members are the experts in their own lived experience. Our…
Read MoreApplications Open for Family Leader Program 2024
Join Us! Raising Illinois’ Family Leader Program Applications for our 2024 Family Leader Program are available, due February 5 Lee En Español Do you know firsthand some of the challenges facing infants and toddlers? Are you looking to make a difference in the lives of Illinois’ little ones? Are you a parent, guardian or involved…
Read MoreEarly Childhood Advocacy Day 2023
Early Childhood Advocacy Day 2023 Advocates like you made the day a success! Thank you! On April 18, Raising Illinois along with our partners at Child Care For All, COFI, Illinois Action for Children, SEIU, Start Early and We, the Village brought over 300 advocates down to Springfield to advocate for Illinois’ youngest learners. Advocates…
Read MoreAn Interview with Family Leader Mykela Collins
An Interview with Family Leader Mykela Collins Family Leader Mykela Collins was recently featured in a SchoolHouse Connection webinar that accompanied the release of their new report on infant/toddler homelessness and access to early learning. We interviewed her about why this issue is so close to her heart. Why did you agree to get involved…
Read MoreFamily Leaders Reflect on the National PN-3 System Building Meeting
Family Leaders Reflect on the National PN-3 System Building Meeting When Lettie Hicks first received the news that she was going to Baltimore for the National PN-3 System Building Meeting, organized by the Prenatal-to-Three Capacity Building Hub, as a Baltimore Ravens fan, her first reaction was joy. The excitement soon turned to focus on the…
Read MoreReflection on Family Leader Meeting
Family Leaders Share Challenges & Solutions for Accessing Early Childhood Programs On May 12, after celebrating Mother’s Day, the 12 Family Leaders hosted a Parent Town Hall, where we were joined by over 60 participants from throughout Illinois. After telling their individual stories and briefly reviewing the six Raising Illinois policy workgroups, Family Leaders facilitated…
Read MoreIntroducing: 2022 Family Leaders
Introducing: 2022 Family Leaders Welcome to our 12 Family Leaders! We are thrilled and grateful to have you on board. In order for Raising Illinois to lead a movement that will fundamentally improve the lives of young children, we recognize that, in fact, families with those young children must inform the movement. Specifically, families from…
Read MoreFamily Leader Program, 2021 Application
Join Us! Raising Illinois’ Family Leader Program Applications for our 2021 Family Leader Program are available, due November 3 Do you know firsthand some of the challenges facing infants and toddlers? Are you looking to make a difference in the lives of Illinois’ little ones? Do you have volunteer experience advocating for early childhood issues…
Read More