What is the Governor's Office of Childhood Development?
The State of Illinois supports many early learning programs for children from birth to age five and their families. The role of the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development is to strengthen Illinois’ efforts to establish a comprehensive, statewide system of early childhood care and education. The Governor created the Office of Early Childhood Development (OECD) within the Governor’s Office in 2009. The OECD provides support and leadership for an integrated system of early childhood services. It also coordinates and guides the work of the Early Learning Council (ELC) and provides overall coordination for the Strong Foundations Partnership (Home Visiting), convening the partners, ensuring that the work plan is accomplished and assuring that an adequate state-level infrastructure to support home visiting is maintained.
Meet the OECD Staff
Theresa Hawley - Executive Director
theresa.hawley@illinois.gov
Teresa Kelly - Project Director, Strong Foundations Partnership (MIECHVP)
teresa.m.kelly@illinois.gov
Kim Collins - Project Manager, State Advisory Council grant
kim.collins@illinois.gov
Amber Kirchhoff - Policy Analyst, Education & Early Childhood Development
amber.kirchhoff@illinois.gov