From Nicole Bach (she/her/ella), Regional Council Manager: Region 44 :Birth to Five Illinois: Region 44 come the press release below, plus the summary of the situation in McHenry County:

While this press release covers more than McHenry County, information about the local situation is here:

 “Information about the child care crisis affecting McHenry County is due to a shortage of teachers.

“Current data shows that 10,862 children under age 5 do not have access to licensed child care in the county.

“Birth to Five Illinois has found that many child care centers and home-based providers are reducing services or closing classrooms because they lack the staff needed to continue operating.”

New Birth to Five Illinois ‘Changes in Early Childhood’ Report Highlights Major Changes & Accomplishments in Each Illinois Region Since 2023

Launched in 2021, Birth to Five Illinois works in every community in the State to:

• Continually assess the Early Childhood programs available in each Region.
• Understand what is available versus what local families say their children need.
• Bring together community members and civic leaders to bridge the gap between what exists and what families need.

The new Changes in Early Childhood reports spotlight the most significant progress the Birth to Five Illinois Teams, Action Councils, Family Councils, and countless community members and organizational partners have made in addressing what families need and closing some of the gaps identified in previous reports.

The 2023 Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Regional Needs Assessments compile data and input from local community members on the available Early Childhood services, what access barriers exist, and recommendations for improvement. The organization’s 2024 reports feature challenges families and Early Childhood providers face in accessing Mental and Behavioral Health service in each Region, along with community-generated recommendations for how to better meet local needs

Each of these new reports also highlights the changes in available Early Childhood and Mental and Behavioral Health programs and services that have impacted children and families the past few years and features a regional breakdown of the $12 million investment Birth to Five Illinois has made to Local Early Childhood Collaborations.

Sonja Clark, Director of Operations for Birth to Five Illinois, said, “From the ‘Elevate Will County Child Care Provider Grants’ to the Educare groundbreaking in Lake County to the addition of 250 Birth to Three Home Visiting slots across Clinton, Jefferson, Marion, and Washington Counties, there are so many significant examples of our Councils’ progress documented in these reports.”

Read the reports: www.birthtofiveil.com/reports/#needs