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Start Early's Legislative Commitments to Illinois' Children & Families
Fiscal Year 2022 Illinois Legislative Agenda Now AvailableThe Illinois Policy Team is eager to introduce this year’s Legislative Agenda, which reflects our continued commitment to Illinois’ early learning and care system, as well as legislative opportunities for the fiscal year. Along with our budgetary asks for the state’s core early childhood programs, we are excited to champion:
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The expansion of Medicaid for home visiting and doula services
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Paid family and medical leave
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The expansion of telehealth for Early Intervention services Please
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follow us on Twitter (@EarlyEdIL) for the most up to date information on our legislative efforts and ways you can get involved! Read our complete
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Legislative Agenda .






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Our Comprehensive Commitment to Early Childhood Policies in Illinois Illinois Policy Team Introduces Three-Year Policy AgendaDifferent from our legislative agenda, our first-ever
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policy agenda is a comprehensive view of the advocacy, administrative policy and systems-building work we do with our public and private sector partners. Our policy agenda outlines five key priorities to advance through Fiscal Year 2023:
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Increase investments in and strengthen the design and implementation of Illinois’ core early care and learning programs
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Strengthen the infrastructure of Illinois’ core early care and learning system
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Recruit and retain a representative, well-compensated and qualified workforce
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Improve the health, mental health and well-being of young children and their families
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Improve economic security for families with young children
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Learn more about Start Early's Illinois Policy Agenda.





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Passage of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus's Education Package
Big Wins for Early Childhood Education in the StateThis month, the Illinois General Assembly approved a number of critical pieces of legislation aimed to improve the lives of Illinois’ children and families. Start Early applauds the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus for leading these efforts, and we are proud to have contributed to numerous proposals included in the historic legislation.

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Learn more about our state’s early care and learning wins.





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Federal Update on Early Care & Education AdvocacyThe Biden Administration Outlines Proposal for Early Care and Learning InvestmentsIn late December, Congress approved a relief bill that included $10 billion in funding to stabilize the child care industry. Thank you to all of you who contributed to the national campaign to #SaveChildCare!


While this $10 billion investment was a step in the right direction, we know that Illinois will need continued federal investments to ensure both the stabilization and growth of the child care sector. Start Early's senior vice president of policy and advocacy, Kristin Bernhard, outlines opportunities that the new administration and next U.S. Secretary of Education will have to boldly lead on early education at the federal level.
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Read the blog post.







Share Your Story!
Illinois Funding Commission Coalition Hosting an Op-ed Workshop Next Week Join the Funding Commission Coalition on January 28 from 6-7:00 p.m. for this month’s virtual Writing Workshop on how to write an op-ed. This workshop will feature a general overview of how to write an op-ed, one-on-one coaching and steps on how to get your letter published! Provide your name and contact information
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here or by clicking the button below, and Zoom access information will be provided. Learn one way to share your early care and learning story today.



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Vaccinations & the Early Childhood Workforce
Learn More About the State's Plan for Vaccine Distribution Great news! Early childhood workers in Illinois are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as of January 25, 2021. Those eligible include: home child care providers (licensed or license-exempt), child care teachers, school-age providers, assistants and support staff, Early Intervention providers, home visitors and doulas.


Information on how to access the vaccine can be found through your local public health department.
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Click here to find yours.


In Chicago? Sign up for
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Chi COVID Coach to receive updates on vaccine availability.


For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and FAQs,
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visit the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development website.








Apply Today: Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship The application for the Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship for the 2021-2022 school year is open! This initiative aims to support Chicago’s early learning workforce and expand access to early learning programs across the city.


Intended recipients of this scholarship include:
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Current Chicago early learning program staff who would like to advance their careers
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Chicago residents who would like to enter the early childhood workforce Scholarship recipients can use funds to pursue a college degree, credential, endorsement or licensure to work with young children (birth through pre-K). Learn more about this opportunity and apply today!



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Start Early advances quality early learning for families with children, before birth through their earliest years, to close the opportunity gap.

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33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60603 - 312.922.3863


(c)2021 Start Early


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