View up to date information on how Illinois is handling the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from the State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Site
Maria Whelan, beloved President and CEO of Illinois Action for Children (IAFC), passed away suddenly on June 10, 2020. On behalf of GOECD’s staff we extend our thoughts and prayers to Maria's family and the Illinois Action for Children family. Maria will always be remembered as a voice and a force within the early childhood community. Thank you for the memories.
View IAFC’s tribute video for Maria here.
View the Governor’s Proclamation “honoring her memory and her impressive legacy” here.
The health and well-being of children, families, and early childhood care and education providers in Illinois is of utmost importance. The resources below provide links to information to help keep all Illinois residents, especially families, providers, and those who support children, informed.
COVID-19 for Early Childhood contains a chronological listing of updates from Illinois State Agencies. Resources to Support Providers through COVID-19 features guidance to support Child Care, Early Intervention, Head Start/Early Head Start, and Home Visiting Providers. COVID-19 Resources for Families with Young Children features an Emotional Well-being Toolkit to help families manage stressors and promote wellness during these challenging times, in addition to other essential resources.
As adults, we can struggle with a wide range of emotions. If we put ourselves in the shoes of children, these feelings are even more complicated. How do we as parents, caregivers, and early childhood care and education providers support our children? GOECD has compiled some resources about race, racism, diversity, and inclusion that may support you, your children, your family, and your community.
Click here for Resources on Racism, Racial Equity, and Diversity for Families.
The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD) is currently hiring for one additional positions to support the work under the Preschool Development Grant Birth to Five (PDG B-5) Renewal grant.
Administrative Assistant
Please send Cover Letters and Resumes to: GOV.OECD@illinois.gov.
Supported by a grant from the National Governors Association, GOECD convened a group of stakeholders to study promising practices, analyze implementation costs, and seek input and feedback from dozens of external stakeholder organizations on how the state can support increased compensation for early childhood educators across the field. Findings from the report have supported or will support PDG B-5 cost modeling, PDG B-5 Renewal quality improvement pilot projects, and the Governor’s Early Childhood Funding Commission. Click here to read the consensus statement. Click here to download a summary brief.
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