There will be two public hearings on May 22, 2018, and written feedback is due by June 8, 2018. Please see this public notice for information about the public hearings.
The Early Learning Council has made recommendations regarding the CCDF plan. You can find them here.
Immigrants and refugees are among the Early Learning Council's priority populations, and ensuring that priority populations have access to high quality early learning programs is the charge of the ELC's All Families Served Subcommittee. The subcommittee has created guidance for early childhood providers to support immigrant and refugee children and families. The guide is available in English & Spanish, Arabic, and Mandarin. Early childhood programs are encouraged to review and understand resources and supports, which includes Know Your Rights and legal resources.
Additionally, Lurie Children's Hospital and the Illinois Childhood Trauma Coalition assembled resources and information for DACA recipients regarding their rights, understanding and coping with stress related to the rescission of DACA, and where impacted families and youth can find help.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has sent Preschool for All and Prevention Initiative grantees a notice for additional FY18 funds. This opportunity is only available to grantees of ISBE (not available for grantees who receive funding through CPS/City of Chicago).
Applications are due May 4 for Preschool for All (download application for PFA here) and May 10 for Prevention Initiative (download application for PI here). Forms should be emailed to earlychi@isbe.net.
Note that PFA and PI grantees may request to extend their grant period for FY18 to August 31. This request should be made as soon as possible (or as part of the request for additional funds), and no later than May 31.
You can find a listing of options current grantees may consider if they choose to apply for additional funds here and information about Pyramid Model summer training opportunities can be found here.