For early childhood advocates, the new legislative season begins amidst many hopeful changes. President Barack Obama made early childhood a centerpiece of his presidential campaign. His $10 billion campaign pledge toward early childhood education has injected fresh optimism into the movement and raises expectations for bold, new changes for our nation’s youngest citizens. The President’s web site states, “The Obama-Biden comprehensive ‘Zero to Five’ plan will provide critical support for young children and their families.”

The Ounce of Prevention Fund and other advocates around the country are awaiting the final details of the economic stimulus package and the federal budget, anticipating an increased fiscal commitment to programs such as Head Start, Early Head Start and Child Care through the Child Care and Development Block Grant.

Early childhood advocates have long understood that quality investments in children, starting in the earliest years, dramatically impact success later in life. President Obama’s prior actions in the Illinois General Assembly, his campaign platform, and the remarks of newly appointed Secretary of Education Arne Duncan during confirmation hearings indicate that the new President and his administration understand this as well. A recent New York Times article details the impact this commitment could have on early childhood programs nationally.

We have often urged you to contact your state legislators, and now we will begin to contact you with opportunities to reach out to Illinois federal lawmakers. We must begin voicing our support for these federal investments in early childhood now to our members of Congress.

We encourage you to take advantage of opportunities to get to know your Congressional representatives. Watch your local newspapers for notices of public events or town halls where they will be present. Lay a foundation for a strong relationship now by letting them know who you are and why you support investments in early childhood. The Ounce will continue to keep you informed about these and other opportunities to influence the federal agenda.

Illinois Legislative Season Begins Amid Change

The 96th Illinois General Assembly convened against the backdrop of a major economic downturn, new leadership in the Senate, many newly elected legislators, and a gubernatorial impeachment proceeding. For the complete list of legislators and their roles, visit www.ilga.gov.

The Ounce will work hard this legislative session to promote continued support and expansion of early childhood initiatives in Illinois. . Here is a preview of the issues that the Ounce will be working on this session.

• Increase funding for the Early Childhood Block Grant. An adequate increase in funding is needed to at least maintain progress in the implementation of Preschool for All.
• Increase the Infant Toddler Set-Aside in the Early Childhood Block Grant. While Illinois is a national leader with our Infant Toddler Set-Aside, the current set-aside of 11% only allows us to serve a tiny portion of eligible at-risk children.
• Increase funding for home-based parent coaching programs. Continue a multi-year expansion of home visitation programs such as Healthy Families and other home-based, research-based parent coaching models.
• Provide capital funds for early childhood facilities in any capital program. Early childhood capital funds should be included in any capital program. Just as Preschool for All prioritizes services for those most in need, prioritize capital funding for those communities with a demonstrated gap between needs and current capacities.
• Support stable, high-quality care in Illinois’ Child Care System. Stable, high-quality child care in the Child Care Assistance Program should be supported by reducing family co-payment fees and providing a one-time rate adjustment for providers in high-cost areas of the state.
• Increase funding for children’s mental health services, especially for young children. The Children’s Mental Health Partnership increase request should be supported to develop a better system of mental health care for children from birth to age 18. In particular, support directing a significant portion of this funding to services for young children.

We will keep you updated as issues arise at the state and federal level. Visit the Ounce’s Action Center any time to contact your legislators, learn about upcoming events, read early childhood news, or ask questions. For more information regarding birth-to-five policy and funding at the state or federal level, contact Ireta Gasner at igasner@ounceofprevention.org or (312) 453-1924.

The Special Populations Committee, a cross-committee of the Illinois Early Learning Council, recently submitted its recommendations to the Council for reducing the number of days it takes for a school district to complete an initial evaluation for Part B services offered to preschool children under The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).

The IDEA currently states that eligibility for services should be determined, and the Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting conducted, within 60 days of receiving parental consent, or within a timeframe established by the state. Current Illinois law states that the determination of eligibility shall be made, and the IEP meeting shall be completed, within 60 school days from the date of written parental consent.

The Committee acknowledged the numerous delays with a 60 school-day requirement, such as the loss of holidays, teacher in-service days, and winter, spring, and summer breaks. They realized that this requirement could often stretch across several months and, in some cases, from one school year to the next before it is implemented. As a result, the Committee recommended that the language be changed from 60 school days to 60 calendar days to reduce the critical lost learning opportunities for some of Illinois’ most vulnerable children. Due to the Illinois statutory requirements of this recommendation, any changes would require legislative action.

According to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) 2006-2007 report, 37,137 children ages 3 to 5 receive special education services under Part B in the state. The report also notes that the numbers of children ages 3-5 receiving special education services continues to increase annually as more children are identified with disabilities each year.

The Special Populations Committee is charged with expanding high-quality early learning programs to children who face the greatest challenges, such as children with disabilities, children who are homeless, children involved in the child welfare system, and children in domestic violence shelters.

The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) was originally enacted by Congress in 1975 to ensure that children with disabilities have the opportunity to receive a free appropriate public education, just like their typically developing peers. Since the law's inception there have been many revisions; the most recent amendments were passed by Congress in December 2004. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities across the country. Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-age 2) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C while children and youth (ages 3-21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.

If you would like more information about the Special Population Committee, or if you have a story to share with us about an experience as a parent or provider of a child with special needs, please contact Olivia Roanhorse at oroanhorse@ounceofprevention.org.

Save the Date: April 22
Early Childhood Advocacy Day 2009
Please join the Ounce of Prevention Fund and Healthy Families Illinois to help change the lives of young children and families in the state. We’re inviting providers, home visitors, teachers, administrators, parents, students, and supporters to join us in Springfield to share with legislators the impact that your programs and services have on young children and families in your community.

As constituents, you have the right--and duty--to speak with legislators about the services that are provided in your community, and the need for and benefit of these services. Legislators welcome the discussion and support that sincere and well-informed practitioners (like you) provide. Mark April 22 on your calendars and experience the power of grassroots advocacy. More details to come soon.

At viewing sites across Illinois, participants witnessed the strides that the state has made in securing services for young children and families. Illinois’ Community Connections model, which links children in home-based child care with classroom-based preschool programs, was prominently featured during the broadcast along with models from other states.

Watch the webcast and download related materials.

Ounce of Prevention Fund Pre-Service Conference
The Ounce of Prevention Fund will hold a pre-service conference on August 28 for our Head Start and Early Head Start delegate and partner agencies. The Ounce is seeking proposals for workshops in the areas of education, disabilities, mental health, family and community services, health and nutrition, and Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance (ERSEA). Selected presenters will receive a $250 honorarium per session.

Illinois Action for Children Spring Into Action Conference
Illinois Action for Children's 12th Annual Spring Into Action Conference gives advocates an opportunity to get informed, network with other early care and education professionals and advocates, and meet legislators. This year's conference will be held March 24-25 at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center in Springfield. For more information and to register, contact Maya Tillman at tillmanm@actforchildren.org.

Buenos Principios: Early Childhood Education Symposium
The Latino Policy Forum, in partnership with the National Council of La Raza, is hosting a symposium to discuss the state of Latino children in early childhood education programs in Illinois. Guests will hear presentations from local early childhood providers and government administrators. The Buenos Principios: Early Childhood Education Symposium will be held March 12 at National Louis University in Chicago. To RSVP, visit www.latinopolicyforum.org.

Findings on Addressing Emotional and Behavioral Problems Early
The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child has released a new working paper, Mental Health Problems in Early Childhood Can Impair Learning and Behavior for Life. The paper examines new scientific data concerning the critical importance of addressing emerging emotional and behavioral problems in the early years and offers policy implications for these findings.

The Influence of Culture on Early Child Development
The cultural beliefs, values, and behaviors within a family all have an impact on early child development. The Changing Face of the United States: The Influence of Culture on Early Child Development (PDF) is a new Zero to Three report that reviews and summarizes the latest research dealing with the impact of culture on early childhood services.

Early Childhood Experiences and Health
Social and economic factors such as income, education, and neighborhood resources affect health at every stage of life, but the effects on young children are particularly dramatic. The Robert Woods Johnson Foundation has released an issue brief about early childhood experiences and health entitled Earliest Childhood Experiences: Laying the Foundation for Health Across a Lifetime (PDF).

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