Start Early · [email protected]

January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM

Policy Perspectives Winter Edition

Actionable resources for leaders navigating change and building high-quality early childhood systems Dear John,  As detailed in a recent Start Early statement on federal actions threatening access to child care nationwide , the early childhood field is facing …

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  Start Early Illinois Policy Team · [email protected]

January 15, 2026 at 9:31 PM

Join Us For A Webinar About Our UNSS Feasibility Study RFP

January 21, 2026 To view this email as a webpage, click here. Early Childhood and Maternal & Child Health Partners: Start Early, with support from private funding, is inviting proposals to fund local planning activities in Illinois to …

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  Start Early · [email protected]

January 15, 2026 at 8:31 PM

Save the Date! Start Early’s Annual Luncheon 2026

Join us June 3 To view this email as a webpage, click here. Join us for Start Early's 24th Annual Luncheon on June 3 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago alongside co‑chairs Helen Zell and Bruce Rauner. The program will feature a fireside chat on …

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  Start Early · [email protected]

January 13, 2026 at 5:25 PM

Head Start Litigation Update: What the New Federal Ruling Means for DEI and Workforce Cuts

Join a Webinar on January 15 to learn more To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John,  For Head Start programs, proposed restrictions on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), along with workforce reductions …

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  Start Early · [email protected]

January 12, 2026 at 3:29 PM

A Message from Start Early Board President: Leadership Update

To view this email as a webpage, click here. A Message from Start Early Board President Mary Hasten I am writing to you today to share that after more than a decade leading Start Early’s steadfast efforts to expand access to high-quality …

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  Start Early Illinois Policy Team · [email protected]

January 9, 2026 at 9:40 PM

Our Response to Federal Actions Threatening Access to Child Care in Illinois

To view this email as a webpage, click here. Illinois is one of five states that could be impacted by an announced federal child care funding freeze, putting thousands of families at risk of losing access to stable, high-quality early learn…

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  Last Chance @ Start Early · [email protected]

January 1, 2026 at 2:15 AM

Your Year End Gift: Missing

This match offer is real—and it expires in just hours. To view this email as a webpage, click here. Name: John xxxxxx Your Year End Gift: Not Received Suggested Action: Make a 2X Matched Gift Today!John, This is it. Our 2X match expir…

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  Johanna Vetter, Start Early · [email protected]

December 31, 2025 at 9:10 PM

Deadline: The window is closing for these children

Deep cuts are threatening children's futures. Your matched gift can help. To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, The window is closing for children in under-resourced communities. While their brains form one million neur…

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  Johanna at Start Early · [email protected]

December 30, 2025 at 11:15 PM

Hey John, a quick reminder for you

Your chance to double your impact expires at midnight tomorrow. To view this email as a webpage, click here. Hi John — Your chance to DOUBLE your impact to help struggling families expires at midnight tomorrow. Will you renew your generous…

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  Campaign Status @ Start Early · [email protected]

December 30, 2025 at 8:10 PM

When systems fail (2X match inside)

Double your impact to provide direct relief and protect programs >> To view this email as a webpage, click here. Deadline Status for: John xxxxxx Match: ACTIVE Deadline: Midnight, tomorrow Suggested Action: Donate to Start Ear…

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  Match Offer @ Start Early · [email protected]

December 29, 2025 at 8:15 PM

Your help with the little things can mean everything

Diapers, formula and someone to call—your MATCHED gift helps struggling mothers. To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, Every mother deserves someone in her corner.  Someone to help with the big things like healthcare and…

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  Johanna Vetter, Start Early · [email protected]

December 26, 2025 at 10:10 PM

Help children and families without a safety net

Make twice the impact and change a child’s future To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, A child’s brain forms one million neural connections every second. What happens in these earliest years shapes everything that comes…

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  Start Early Illinois Policy Team · [email protected]

December 16, 2025 at 4:31 PM

Announcing UNSS Feasibility Study RFP

To view this email as a webpage, click here. Early Childhood and Maternal & Child Health Partners: Start Early is excited to announce a 2026 RFP to support local planning activities to assess the feasibility and readiness of communities…

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  Start Early Illinois Policy Team · [email protected]

December 10, 2025 at 6:31 PM

Save the Date for Early Childhood Advocacy Day

Join us in Springfield May 13, 2026 To view this email as a webpage, click here. Save the Date for Early Childhood Advocacy Day 2026Calling all advocates: Early Childhood Advocacy Day is May 13, 2026!  We need your support to speak out on …

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  Start Early Illinois Policy Team · [email protected]

December 9, 2025 at 5:21 PM

A Critical Step Forward to Help Ensure Safety & Well-being of Illinois’ Youngest

Start Early and its partners applaud the passage of HB 1312 earlier today To view this email as a webpage, click here. Celebrating the Signing of HB 1312 Start Early and its partners at Illinois Action for Children and the Latino Policy Foru…

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  Start Early Illinois Policy Team · [email protected]

December 4, 2025 at 7:31 PM

Fall Early Edition

Legislative Update: HB1312 Moves Forward Start Early celebrates the passage of HB1312, legislation that strengthens the civil rights and safety of immigrants in our communities. This bill extends the protections that covered K-12 schools to licensed child care…

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  Johanna Vetter, Start Early · [email protected]

December 3, 2025 at 8:10 PM

We fell short of our goal

Still time to have your gift MATCHED To view this email as a webpage, click here. John, I hate saying it, but we fell short yesterday. Our goal was to raise $50,000 to help families in need. So many of you stepped up yesterday — we came in…

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  Start Early · [email protected]

December 3, 2025 at 1:10 AM

Your Gift DOUBLED Before Midnight

Our largest match offer expires in just a few hours FINAL DEADLINE STATUS Name: John xxxxxx Match: Active until Midnight YOUR STATUS: Pending >> Dear John, Our largest match offer expires in just a few hours:  Donate before midnight and your new or incr…

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  Start Early · [email protected]

December 2, 2025 at 3:45 PM

This is not a normal Giving Tuesday

Donate by midnight to have your gift DOUBLED Dear John, This is not a normal Giving Tuesday. Right now, families across Illinois who experienced disruptions to SNAP benefits, WIC support, and other critical resources are still struggling to recover and dealing wit…

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  Johanna at Start Early · [email protected]

December 1, 2025 at 8:10 PM

Re: Early Access: Our Largest Match

Following up on your early access To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, I wanted to follow up one more time because your early access to this match closes in a few hours. All children and their families deserve dignity, …

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  Johanna at Start Early · [email protected]

December 1, 2025 at 4:15 PM

Early Access: Our Largest Match

Multiply your impact this Giving Tuesday To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, I’m writing to you first about something big. Tomorrow, for Giving Tuesday, we’re offering the largest match in Start Early’s history. And be…

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  Start Early · [email protected]

November 25, 2025 at 8:10 PM

Your advocacy impact: Protecting early childhood during challenging times

12,000 advocates. 40 policy changes. 4 million children reached. To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, The first five years of a child's life determine their future—yet right now, critical programs that nurture our younge…

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  Start Early · [email protected]

November 24, 2025 at 4:40 PM

See You at the BUILD 2025 Conference!

Connect with Start Early Experts in Los Angeles, December 2–4 To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, Start Early is excited to join early childhood systems leaders from across the country at the BUILD 2025 Conference in L…

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  Start Early Illinois Policy Team · [email protected]

November 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Now Available! Webinar Recordings and Immigration Resources

Check out a recording from our recent webinar alongside helpful resources To view this email as a webpage, click here. View Webinar Recordings and Immigration Resources In response to the urgent threats facing Head Start, Start Early has lau…

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  Ann Hanson, Start Early · [email protected]

November 19, 2025 at 3:45 PM

How Communities Are Using Data to Strengthen Early Childhood Systems

Join a webinar to learn about Start Early’s System Mapping process To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, How can your community better understand and strengthen the systems that support young children and families?​  Jo…

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  Start Early · [email protected]

November 18, 2025 at 8:15 PM

Start Early's 2025 Year in Review: Championing our littlest learners

See how your support helped reach over 4 million children during critical early years To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, It's been a challenging year for early childhood programs nationwide.  Yet through it all, Start…

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  Start Early · [email protected]

November 14, 2025 at 10:10 PM

eNews: What’s Happening at Start Early

November Edition Start Early 2025 Year in Review: Building Brighter FuturesThe Start Early 2025 Year in Review, celebrating a year of growth, innovation and transformative milestones during the last fiscal year (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) is now available!  Thi…

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  Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, Start Early · [email protected]

November 13, 2025 at 5:40 PM

Standing Strong for Families: Upcoming Webinars on Safe Spaces & Maternal Health

Join Start Early for Two Timely Webinars on Family and Program Safety To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, Across the country, immigration enforcement activity continues to impact families, children and the early childho…

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  Start Early · [email protected]

November 11, 2025 at 5:32 PM

Policy Perspectives Fall Edition

Actionable resources for leaders navigating change and building high-quality early childhood systems. New Webinar & Resources for State Advocates Advocating for Young Children with Disabilities in Your StateStart Early, in collaboration with national partne…

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  Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, Start Early · [email protected]

November 6, 2025 at 3:35 PM

How Head Start Grantees Can Navigate a Temporary Closure During the Shutdown

Guidance for Head Start Programs Facing Temporary Closure To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, As the federal government shutdown continues, many Head Start programs are confronting the difficult reality of running out …

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  Start Early · [email protected]

October 29, 2025 at 7:15 PM

Costumes, candy, and critical thinking skills

This Halloween, BOO-st your child's learning through imaginative play To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, Costumes, candy, and parties make Halloween a lot of fun for children.  But did you know that Halloween is also…

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  Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, Start Early · [email protected]

October 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Previewing the "10/29 End the Shutdown and Protect Head Start Day of Action"

Join our webinar to learn how to take action to protect Head Start. To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, The federal shutdown has entered its fourth week, and the impact on families is growing increasingly severe. If t…

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  Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, Start Early · [email protected]

October 22, 2025 at 2:45 PM

Stay Informed: Government Shutdown Resources for the Early Childhood Field

Tools and updates to respond to the federal government shutdown To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, With federal funding still uncertain, early childhood programs continue to face questions about the potential impact …

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  Start Early · [email protected]

October 21, 2025 at 7:10 PM

The future of Head Start is at risk

Budget cuts threaten 700,000 children. Here's how you can help. To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, October is Head Start Awareness Month – but this year, there's more at stake than ever before. For 60 years, Head Sta…

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  Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, Start Early · [email protected]

October 13, 2025 at 2:35 PM

Advocate for Young Children with Disabilities – Join Our Oct. 20 Webinar

Hear from experts about how to advocate in your state To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, Join Start Early and New America for a timely webinar highlighting recent federal updates impacting programs that support youn…

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  Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, Start Early · [email protected]

October 6, 2025 at 2:45 PM

Government Shutdown: Q&A with Experts – Register Now

Join Us for a Live Q&A on the Government Shutdown To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, Following our October 1 webinar on the federal government shutdown, Start Early is hosting a special 30-minute follow-up Q&A…

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  Start Early Illinois Policy Team · [email protected]

October 3, 2025 at 2:30 PM

Early Childhood Professionals: Share Your Feedback With IWERC!

The University of Illinois is seeking your input To view this email as a webpage, click here. Share Your Feedback with IWERC! The Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC) at the University of Illinois is seeking feed…

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  Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, Start Early · [email protected]

September 30, 2025 at 2:43 PM

What a Government Shutdown Could Mean for Head Start

Join our webinar to discuss implications of the potential shutdown To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, Congress has until September 30 to agree on FY 2026 funding—or risk a government shutdown. While Head Start has his…

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  Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, Start Early · [email protected]

September 24, 2025 at 2:35 PM

Reminder: Join Tomorrow’s Webinar on Supporting Immigrant Families

Learn how to support your community through immigration enforcement changes To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, Just a quick reminder — tomorrow we’re hosting our webinar on how Head Start and Early Head Start program…

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  Start Early · [email protected]

September 23, 2025 at 2:35 PM

Don’t Forget to Register! A Virtual Symposium Celebrating 25 Years of Educare Chicago

To view this email as a webpage, click here. Start Early’s Educare Chicago program turns 25 this year, and we'd love for you to join us virtually on Friday, October 3 for a milestone symposium to celebrate Educare’s legacy and the generati…

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  Start Early · [email protected]

September 19, 2025 at 7:11 PM

FINAL HOURS: Survey closes at midnight

Thanks for taking a few minutes to share your input. To view this email as a webpage, click here. John, Just hours left: Start Early’s 2025 Supporter Survey closes at midnight tonight, and we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment…

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  Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, Start Early · [email protected]

September 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM

New Webinar: Supporting Immigrant Families in Head Start and Early Head Start

Learn how to support your community through immigration enforcement changes To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, With immigration enforcement increasing across the country, Head Start and home visiting programs play a …

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  Start Early · [email protected]

September 17, 2025 at 7:16 PM

Your voice matters: 3-minute survey inside

Your insights guide our work for families in need To view this email as a webpage, click here. Dear John, These are challenging times for families with young children. With growing uncertainty about funding for early childhood programs, we…

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  Start Early Illinois Policy Team · [email protected]

September 15, 2025 at 3:30 PM

Summer Early Edition

Chicago Stakeholders Call on the City to Strengthen Early Childhood Investments in 2026 In May of this year, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a $7M investment of the City’s Corporate Fund dollars to be distributed to 3,000 early care and education workers acros…

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  Start Early · [email protected]

September 11, 2025 at 2:43 PM

You’re Invited: A Virtual Symposium Celebrating 25 Years of Educare Chicago

To view this email as a webpage, click here. This year marks 25 years since Start Early’s Educare Chicago program pioneered the promise to transform the lives of families and young children in our most under-served communities through comp…

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  Start Early · [email protected]

August 28, 2025 at 7:10 PM

eNews: What’s Happening at Start Early

August Edition Together for Head Start: How Start Early is Fighting for the Future of Head StartHead Start is at a tipping point. Faced with funding freezes, office closures and policy shifts these disruptions threaten services for 700,000+ children and families na…

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  Start Early · [email protected]

August 15, 2025 at 7:15 PM

This is it: Your offer expires at MIDNIGHT

Hours left for 2x match: help reach $5,000 goal To view this email as a webpage, click here. John xxxxxx Supporter: Active, THANK YOU! Match Status: Active until 8/15: make an additional 2x matched gift!Dear John,  This is it – your l…

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  Start Early · [email protected]

August 14, 2025 at 7:10 PM

Campaign Update: Match expires 11:59pm tomorrow

24 hours left to reach our $5,000 goal. To view this email as a webpage, click here. Campaign Update for: John xxxxxx Match Status: ACTIVE Deadline: 11:59 p.m. tomorrow    Support Status: Active, DOUBLE your support >>  Dear John,…

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  Johanna at Start Early · [email protected]

August 13, 2025 at 7:15 PM

Final 3 days: 2X match expires Friday

Insufficient funding makes this an urgent need To view this email as a webpage, click here. John xxxxxx Supporter: Active, THANK YOU! Match Status: Active until 8/15: make an additional 2x matched gift!Dear John,  Thank you for your ge…

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  Start Early · [email protected]

August 11, 2025 at 8:30 PM

New! Back to School 2X Match

Every donation matched: Help children when they need it most To view this email as a webpage, click here. John xxxxxx Supporter: Active, THANK YOU! Match Status: Active until 8/15: make an additional 2x matched gift!Dear John,  Childr…

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