Percent of Children Age 5 and Under with No Parent in Labor Force, 2019
This map has been adapted from the latest Risk and Reach Report (Erikson Institute/Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map/Voices for Illinois Children).
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Author: bakoenig
Average Cost of Child Care as Share of Median Family Income, 2018
This map has been adapted from the latest Risk and Reach Report (Erikson Institute/Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map/Voices for Illinois Children).
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2021 Illinois Kids Count Report Released
Voices for Illinois Children — Powered by YWCA Metropolitan Chicago has released its 2021 Illinois KIDS COUNT Report. The report
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Percent of Public School Kindergartners Reported as Homeless, 2019
This map has been adapted from the latest Risk and Reach Report (Erikson Institute/Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map/Voices for Illinois Children). For
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Illinois Adopts CDC’s COVID-19 Guidances for Schools, Child Care
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is adopting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) updated guidances for
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Risk and Reach Report Updated
The Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map, along with with its partners Erikson Institute and Voices for Illinois Children, has updated
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Illinois Cares for Kids Website Now Available
The Illinois Cares for Kids website is now available to help Illinois residents find resources, programs, and support for infants,
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Governor Pritzker Expands Financial Assistance for Child Care Providers and Families
Governor Pritzker has announced an expansion of financial assistance for child care providers and families. According to the Governor’s Office
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Revised Guidance for Home Visiting, Doula, & Coordinated Intake
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home
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Illinois Early Childhood by the Percent
How much do you know about young children in Illinois? Test your knowledge here, and then level up with the next blog post in the series, Illinois Early Childhood by the Numbers.
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Illinois Children by the Numbers (2021 edition)
Number of children in Illinois age 5 and under in 2019: 908,741 Percent of total population: 7.1% More data like
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Bilingual Credentials and Endorsements
The map and charts below are part of the Illinois Early Childhood Dashboard section of the IECAM website. Visit the dashboard for
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Special Education Endorsements
The map and charts below are part of the Illinois Early Childhood Dashboard section of the IECAM website. Visit the dashboard for
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Credentials and ECE Endorsements
The map and charts below are part of the Illinois Early Childhood Dashboard section of the IECAM website. Visit the dashboard for
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Median Compensation
The chart below is part of the Illinois Early Childhood Dashboard section of the IECAM website. Visit the dashboard for more maps
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Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS)
The charts below are part of the Illinois Early Childhood Dashboard section of the IECAM website. Visit the dashboard for more maps
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Infant/Toddler Slots
The map below is part of the Illinois Early Childhood Dashboard section of the IECAM website. Visit the dashboard for more maps
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Home Visiting Slots
The map below is part of the Illinois Early Childhood Dashboard section of the IECAM website. Visit the dashboard for more maps
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IDHS Updates Service Delivery Guidelines
On June 23, 2021, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) sent out the informational notice below to provide all
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2021 Kids Count Data Book Released
The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released the 32nd edition of its Kids Count Data Book. As in previous years,
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New Report Urges Investment in ECE Data and Analytics
A new report from the University of Michigan and the Urban Institute has synthesized findings from 76 high-quality national, state,
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Updated IDPH FAQ for Illinois Schools
See below for a recent FAQ/guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health, updated on June 7th, 2021.
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Updated Maps and Charts on IECAM
The following maps and charts have been updated with the most recent data available. They are great for use in
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Governor Signs FY2022 State Budget into Law
Governor Pritzker signed the FY2022 state budget into law on Thursday, June 17. According to the Office of the Governor’s
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Statewide Campaign Will Help Families Connect to Internet
A new program is using federal COVID-19 relief funding to provide discounts on home internet services and digital devices to
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DCFS Updates Guidance for Licensed Day Care & License Exempt School Age Care
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has updated its Restore Illinois Licensed Day Care Guidance and License Exempt
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DCFS Seeks Comments on Proposed Changes to Child Care Licensing Standards
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is currently seeking public comments on proposed changes to child care
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2020 Illinois Early Learning Council Annual Report
The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD) has released its 2020 Illinois Early Learning Council Annual Report. The report
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Illinois Early Childhood Education Workforce 2020 Report Released
The Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) has released the Illinois Early Childhood Education Workforce 2020
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What is “FPL”?
Learn what “FPL” means, and how, using the IECAM database, you can find the number of children from birth to age 5 who are living in families with income below 50%, 100%, 130%, 185%, 200%, and 400% of the federal poverty level on various geographic levels in Illinois.
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Biden’s American Families Plan to Provide Universal Preschool and Expanded Access to Child Care
President Biden has announced a plan to invest in universal preschool and expanded access to child care at a joint
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Illinois Passes Bill to Increase Home Visiting, Doula Services
The Illinois Senate has approved the Health Care and Human Service Reform Act (House Bill 158), which creates a framework
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Governor Pritzker Announces New IDHS Division of Early Childhood, Planning Council Network, $1.6 Billion in Federal Aid for ECE
Governor Pritzker has announced the creation of a new Division of Early Childhood as part of the Illinois Department of Human
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Biden Releasing $39 Billion for Early Childhood Educators and Care Providers
The Biden Administration has announced the release of $39 billion of American Rescue Plan funds to states, territories, and tribes
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What’s the Difference Between 1-Year and 5-Year American Community Survey (ACS) Data?
Differences between 1-year and 5-year American Community Survey (ACS) estimates are important to note when using data to communicate stories or visualize trends. Do you know the difference?
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Early Childhood Funding Commission Releases Report
The Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding has released the Ready Illinois report offering recommendations on
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P-20 Council Releases Learning Renewal Resource Guide
This week the Governor’s Office announced that Illinois K-12 districts will be receiving $7 billion in federal funding to support
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Latest ACS Data Now on IECAM
Do you need the most recent population or federal poverty level numbers available for young children in your community? The
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GOECD Launches Pilot Program to Support Rural Child Care Providers
The Illinois Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD) has announced a new pilot program to address obstacles faced by
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Meet the IECAM Data Team!
Data does not just suddenly appear on the IECAM website. It has to be cleaned, prepped, programmed, mapped, and/or visualized. Meet the data team responsible for making this magic happen, and learn a little bit about their backgrounds, roles, and personalities.
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CDC Releases New Guidance for Operating Child Care Programs During COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an updated guidance for operating child care programs during COVID-19.
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College of Education News Features IECAM Data Portal Project
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s College of Education recently featured IECAM’s data portal project in its newsletter. Working with
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U.S. Congress Passes American Rescue Plan Act
Earlier this week, House lawmakers sent a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package to President Biden, which he has signed. The
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Governor Pritzker Signs Education Bill (HB 2170)
Governor Pritzker has signed the Education and Workforce Equity Act (HB 2170). According to the Governor’s Office press release, this
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U.S. Department of Education Releases Handbook for Safely Reopening Schools
The U.S. Department of Education has released part one of a COVID-19 handbook to assist schools in implementing guidance from
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List of COVID-19 Child Care Surveys and Data Analyses Released
This resource from the Urban Institute compiles recent COVID-19 child care surveys and data analyses on the national, state, and
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2020 Early Childhood Workforce Index Released
The Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) at the University of California, Berkeley has released the third
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Governor’s Office Launches Racial Equity Webpage
The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD) has launched the Illinois Early Childhood Racial Equity Efforts & Resources webpage
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IECAM “Slot Gap” Data Cited to Show Child Care Shortage
The Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map (IECAM) was recently featured in a news article and on the University of Illinois’
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Early Childhood Apprenticeship Bills Progressing in Congress
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 (H.R. 447) to address workforce
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Median Hourly Wage and Turnover Rates for Early Childhood Teachers in Licensed Illinois Child Care Centers 2007-2019
This chart shows the median hourly wage and turnover rates for early childhood teachers in Illinois child care centers from 2007-2017.
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IECAM Media Kit
About IECAM IECAM’s mission is to provide comprehensive early childhood data and maps to local and state agencies and other
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Languages Map Updated
IECAM has updated its interactive map for the languages spoken at home for children birth to age 5 in Illinois.
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An Interview with IECAM Project Director Dawn Thomas
Who are the people behind the data at IECAM? Over the next few months, this interview series will help you
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From Our Corner: A Message for 2021 from IECAM Project Director Dawn Thomas
Data are found everywhere—Amazon, Etsy, our medical records, and bank statements. We know data are found at the U.S. Census Bureau. We know data are a part of the ongoing COVID-19 work. But are we truly aware of the part that data play in our everyday lives?
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Illinois Child Care Group Sizes and Ratios Restored to Pre-Pandemic Levels
News from the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development: Group sizes and ratios have been returned to pre-pandemic levels for
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Local Solutions to COVID-19 Challenges: Illinois Head Start Programs Share Their Stories
This interactive story map explores how three Head Start programs in Illinois have responded to COVID-19 challenges.
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Illinois General Assembly Passes Education Omnibus Bill
The Illinois General Assembly has passed HB2170, a bill designed to increase educational access and opportunities for students of color,
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Updated Federal Resources for Child Care Providers
From the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD): “During this time as the nation continues to face challenges related
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Low-Income Student Enrollment in Illinois Public Schools, 2006-2020
This interactive chart shows low-income student enrollment in Illinois public schools (Grades K—12) between 2006 and 2018.
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Updated Resources for School Reopenings
As Illinois schools move toward reopening, here’s a selection of updated resources available to guide that process. Decision Tree for
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Illinois Public School Enrollment by Racial-Ethnic Group 2008-2020
This interactive chart shows the percentage of total K-12 school enrollment by the largest three racial-ethnic groups enrolled in Illinois public schools.
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Governor Announces Additional Funding for Illinois Child Care Providers
Governor Pritzker is directing additional funding to support child care providers that are part of the Child Care Assistance Program
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Year-End COVID-19 Relief Bill Includes $10 Billion for Child Care
Congress has passed a $900 billion end-of-the-year relief bill that includes $10 billion in funding to stabilize the child care
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Early Intervention Clearinghouse Loans Technology to Illinois Families
IECAM’s sister project here at the Early Childhood Collective at the University of Illinois is helping families across the state
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Countdown: IECAM’s Top Ten Resources in 2020
This countdown of the most popular IECAM resources over the past 12 months offers a glimpse of the interests and needs of the Illinois early childhood community during this difficult year.
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NAEYC Survey: Illinois Providers are Sacrificing to Stay Open
A new national survey of more than 6,000 child care providers shows the depth of sacrifices they are making to
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Draft Recommendations from the Illinois Early Childhood Funding Commission
During a virtual town hall meeting this month, members of Governor Pritzker’s Early Childhood Funding Commission shared its emerging recommendations
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Looking Ahead to 2021
IECAM has some exciting features coming in 2021—tools and resources that will make it even easier for you to access
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Illinois Action for Children Releases Early Care and Education Policy Agenda
Illinois Action for Children’s Sylvia Cotton Center for Research and Policy Innovation has released a policy agenda for ensuring racial,
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Early Intervention Tier 3 Mitigation Guidelines
On November 20, 2020, the governor put the entire state under Tier 3 resurgence mitigations. For your convenience, we have
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Report Shows Gaps in Illinois Child Care Supply and Need
A new report from the Bipartisan Policy Center uses child care supply and parent choice data to calculate the number
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Illinois Early Childhood Dashboard Updates
Have you visited the Illinois Early Childhood Dashboard recently? IECAM is regularly adding new charts and maps to this resource!
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What is ExceleRate Illinois? A Q&A with Toni Porter from INCCRRA
Have you ever wondered what a child care program’s Circle of Quality level means, or how and why it has been awarded? This video and infographic lays out the basics of ExceleRate Illinois, a quality improvement and recognition program for early childhood settings.
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New Report: 46% Increase in Uninsured Illinois Children Since 2016
According to a new report from Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families, an estimated 120,000 Illinois children were uninsured in
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Infographic: What Data Can Tell Us About COVID-19 and Child Care
The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Education (GOECD) is providing a new infographic showing what we know so far about
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DCFS Updates Licensing Standards for Day Care Homes and Centers
From DCFS: In light of the extreme circumstances related to COVID-19 and the need to ensure that the health and
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Illinois Early Learning Council Annual Report Available
The 2019 annual report of the Illinois Early Learning Council highlights the goals, accomplishments, and challenges of the council’s standing
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New Study Shows Full-Day Pre-K Access and Enrollment Increased After Chicago Enacted Policy Changes
Policy changes to Chicago’s school-based pre-k system resulted in greater equity in access to, and enrollment in, full-day, school-based pre-k,
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New COVID-19 & Child Welfare Report Uses Data to Understand Trends in Maltreatment and Response
A new report released by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago suggests that those concerned with the well-being of
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Sparking Family Engagement in Early Learning Webinar
Join the Early Childhood Collective at the University of Illinois in taking a closer look at family engagement in early
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Head Start 2019: Funded Enrollment and Number of Sites by County
Total number of children that Head Start Programs in the state of Illinois are funded to enroll at any one
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Overview: The Early Learning Landscape in Illinois Six Months into the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD), the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the Department of Children and
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Results from Early Childhood Teacher/Parent Survey Released
A new report from Defending the Early Years (DEY) documents survey findings collected over summer 2020 on the topic of
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Parents’ and Mothers’ Education Level
This map has been adapted from the latest Risk and Reach Report (Erikson Institute/Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map/Voices for Illinois Children).
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Data Report Shows Impact of COVID-19 on Child Care Access, Affordability, and Quality
A new report from Child Care Aware of America features data, analysis, and stories about how COVID-19 has affected the
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Communicating Your Early Childhood Data Story
This presentation offers an overview of data available on IECAM and then walks you through the process of finding and visualizing that data in order to better inform your community.
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Governor Pritzker Announces $156M in Funding to Child Care Providers Across State
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) have announced that over $156 million in BIG funding has been provided to 4,686 child care providers across Illinois facing challenges as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Newly Released: Report on Child Care in Cook County 2020
The Sylvia Cotton Center for Research & Policy Innovation powered by Illinois Action for Children (IAFC) has released a special
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New: Prenatal-to-3 Policy Roadmap
The Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center at the The University of Texas at Austin’s Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs
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Updated: Illinois Early Care and Education Services Map
Our updated interactive map shows early care and education services sites for the state of Illinois based on 2019 data
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From Our Corner: The State of Child Care in Central Illinois in the Wake of COVID-19
In recent months, the national media has been reporting on the devastating effects the COVID pandemic has had on child care programs. Are these same effects being felt here in Central Illinois?
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IDHS Releases 2019 CCAP Report
The Illinois Department of Human Services has released its latest (2019) Illinois Child Care Assistance Program Report. Information in this
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Report Finds Increase in Unmet Basic Needs in Immigrant Families
A new report released by the Urban Institute explores how the economic challenges surrounding the COVID-19 crisis are disproportionately affecting
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Our Latest Data Updates
Now available on IECAM’s online database — the latest data (2019) for the following early childhood services and programs in
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KIDS Data Shows Increase in Kindergarten Readiness
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has released the third year of data for the Kindergarten Individual Development Survey
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IDPH Releases Guidance for Illinois Schools
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has released a Guidance for Pre-K-12 Schools and Day Care Programs for Addressing
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Early Care and Education Services Map for Illinois
This map shows early care and education services sites for the state of Illinois based on the most recent data available.
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DCFS Releases Licensed Day Care Guidance
This guidance was updated on June 2nd, 2021. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has released a Restore
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Revised Restore Illinois Guidance for Home Visiting, Doula, and Coordinated Intake Programs
More August news from the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development: Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) &
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IDHS Issues FAQ for Early Intervention Plan for Resuming In-Person Services
News from the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development: The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has issued a FAQ for its Early Intervention (EI) Plan for Resuming In-Person Services.
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House Passes $50 Billion Child Care Stabilization Fund Plus Additional Child Care Relief
On July 29th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Child Care is Essential Act, which creates a $50 billion
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State Announces $270M in Child Care Funding
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) recently announced $270 million in funding to help child
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New from ISBE: Learning Recommendations for 2020-21 School Year
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has released recommendations to educators for implementing in-person, blended, and/or remote learning during
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IDHS Releases Early Intervention Plan for Resuming In-Person Services
The Illinois Department of Human Services, Bureau of Early Intervention, has released a plan for resuming in-person meetings and services,
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ISBE Releases FAQ for Early Childhood Block Grant Program Grantees on Transition to In-Person Instruction
The Illinois State Board of Education has released a FAQ for Early Childhood Block Grant Program Grantees on the transition
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Using Excel to Visualize Early Childhood Data
Communicate issues that are important to your community through visualizations! These instructions will walk you through the three-step process of transforming your IECAM data into a chart using Excel.
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NAEYC Survey Finds 40% of U.S. Child Care Centers Will Close Without Additional Funding
A new survey by The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) found more than 40% of the nation’s child
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Governor Pritzker Dedicates $10M in Emergency Relief Funds to Early Childhood Programs
This week Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that public schools across the state will receive $108.5 million from the governor’s emergency
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Free Posters Now Available
Our infographic laying out age eligibility, funding streams, and administering agencies for the range of publicly funded early childhood programs
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From Our Corner: Early Care and Education in the Age of COVID-19
Illinois early childhood expert Dr. Rebecca Swartz responds to a recent Hechinger Report article that lays out five early care and education problems brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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GOECD Shares Resources on Racism, Racial Equity, and Diversity
The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD) has put together a document of racial equity resources in order to
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University of Illinois Task Force Examining Effects of COVID-19 on Child Care Providers and Children at Risk
The Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois has assembled interdisciplinary faculty expert task forces from
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Child Find Project
IECAM has been working with the Child Find Project in Illinois to develop maps based on collected data. These data
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2020 Illinois KIDS COUNT Health Report Released
Voices for Illinois Children has released a 2020 Illinois KIDS COUNT report that looks at indicators of children’s health as well
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IECAM Honors the Life of Maria Whelan, President and CEO of Illinois Action for Children
IECAM was sad to hear that Maria Whelan, President and CEO of Illinois Action for Children, passed away recently. Maria
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Governor Pritzker Announces $270M Grant Program for Illinois Child Care Providers
The Governor’s Office has announced a $270 million Child Care Restoration grant program, provided for in the FY21 budget passed
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Police Use of Force Database Would Ensure a More Equitable Future
The past few months have been challenging for families all over the nation. We have learned about new terms, such
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FY2019 Head Start and Early Head Start Data Update
The online database has recently been updated to include FY2019 Head Start and Early Head Start data. Data updated includes:
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Senators Introduce Bill to Provide Relief to Child Care Sector
Three U.S. senators have introduced the Child Care is Essential Act – a bill that would create a Stabilization Fund to support
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Updated Interactive Maps: Poverty, Race/Ethnicity, and Unemployment
The following interactive maps on IECAM have been updated to include the most recent data available (2018) from the U.S.Census
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2019 Preschool For All (PFA) Data Now Available
Data for FY2019 ISBE Preschool For All (PFA) programs are now available on the IECAM online database.
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More Updates on IECAM: 2019 Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Data
The IECAM database has been updated to include the total number of children that a Migrant and Seasonal Head Start
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IECAM Database Now Includes 2019 Early Intervention data from IDHS
IECAM users will now be able to access 2018 demographic and early childhood education data (the latest figures available) using our searchable database.
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Illinois Early Learning Council Requests Survey Responses on Community Collaborations During COVID-19
The All Families Served and the Community Systems Development subcommittees of the Illinois Early Learning Council wants to better understand
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U.S. Federal Congressional Districts
For more about U.S. Federal Congressional Districts, visit the data definition page. View larger map
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Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMAs)
Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMAs) are geographic areas for which the Census Bureau provides selected extracts of raw data from
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Illinois Board of Higher Education To Use $1.3M To Grow the Number of Early Childhood Professionals in the State
The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) has received $1.3M in federal funds through the Preschool Development Birth to Five
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Webinar to Focus on Early Childhood Risk Factors Contributing to COVID-19 Health Disparities
A free webinar hosted by Erikson Institute, IECAM – Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map, and Voices for Illinois Children on Friday, May 15th
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IECAM Database Updated to Include 2018 Demographic & PFA/PI Data
IECAM users will now be able to access 2018 demographic and early childhood education data (the latest figures available) using our searchable database.
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Governor Pritzker Announces Reopening Plan
Governor Pritzker has announced the Restore Illinois: A Public Health Approach To Safely Reopen Our State plan.
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Chicago Community Areas (CCAs)
The city of Chicago is divided into 77 community areas for statistical and planning purposes. Do you need to quickly identify specific
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Resources to Support Young Children Experiencing Homelessness During COVID-19
Schoolhouse Connection has put together a compilation of resources focusing on children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Cross-training Resources for Illinois Early Intervention, Home Visiting, & Child Welfare Providers
The Serving Families Together Initiative has developed a suite of resources for sharing across service systems in order to improve collaboration and coordination for the benefit of families served in Illinois communities.
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Federal Small Business Relief Programs Replenished
A new bill, passed this week, will replenish funding for critical COVID-19 small business relief programs through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
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COVID-19 Information & Resources from the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development
The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD) has developed a COVID-19 resource page on their website with links to information to help keep all Illinois residents, especially families, providers, and those who support children, informed.
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Key Early Care and Education Resources for Parents & Providers During the COVID-19 Crisis
Early care and education information for essential worker parents and child care providers during the COVID-19 crisis in Illinois.
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Early Choices Releases Strategic Plan Report for Birth to 5 Inclusion
A new report gathers existing reports and data related to inclusion of children birth to 5 in early care and education in Illinois.
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New Social Vulnerability Map for Cook County Available
Cook County has launched this mapping tool in order to help visualize and address disparities in communities most affected by COVID-19.
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Child Care Organizations Call for More Federal Relief
In a new letter to Congress, a dozen national child care organizations are asking for additional federal relief for child care
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New Report: COVID-19’s Early Impact on Home Visiting
This report, which includes results from over 1300 programs across the US, is the first national snapshot of how the home visiting field is coping.
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Unemployment Claims Top 200K in Illinois, 24% of Workforce Impacted by COVID-19
Unemployment is hitting record levels in Illinois
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Illinois to Pick Up Child Care Tab for Essential Workers
Note: the information in this article is from April 2020. This program has ended. More information about changes to the
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NAEYC Asks Child Care Providers to Take Survey on COVID-19 Impact
The National Association for the Education of Young Children NAEYC) is requesting that child care providers of all kinds fill out this survey to inform them about the impact of COVID-19 on their child care programs.
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U.S. Congress Passes Third Stimulus Package Containing Early Childhood Provisions
A third stimulus package (H.R. 748, CARES Act) was passed by Congress on Friday, March 27th to address the still unfolding COVID-19 pandemic. It includes multiple early childhood provisions.
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Website & Newsletter to Share COVID-19 Updates, Resources for Illinois’ Early Care & Education Community
A new website and weekly e-newsletter from Illinois Action for Children will share the latest news, updates, and resources for the Illinois early care and education community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Congress Includes Relief for Child Care Industry in COVID-19 Stimulus Bill
On Wednesday night, March 25th, the U.S. Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act – or CARES
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How the Number of Young Children in Illinois is Changing
The general population in Illinois has been on the decline for the past few years, but have the numbers of young children in our state followed this trend?
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INCCRRA Launches Early Learning Helpline
The statewide network of Illinois Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) has launched a new phone line at 888.228.1146 specifically to help connect essential workers’ families to emergency child care.
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New Online Community to Share Knowledge Across Early Childhood Field
A new online community called the Early Childhood Connector is now available to system builders in order to “exchange knowledge across the early childhood field that connects our collective expertise, policy, and advocacy ideas.”
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Guidance for Illinois Child Care Centers and Early Education Programs Released
The guidance covers closure mandates, funding, Child Care Assistance Program attendance waivers, staff pay, and reporting requests, among other things.
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Proposed Coronavirus Assistance Bill Includes $600 Million for Early Childhood Programs
The U.S. House and Senate have introduced bills that would distribute $3 billion for mandatory grant programs and flexibilities for early childhood education programs and K-12 schools.
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Illinois Early Childhood Collective Projects Share Resources for Learning at Home During Trying Times
Two of our Early Childhood Collective partners are offering resources on how to keep young children learning at home during trying times.
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Legislation to Alleviate DCFS Case Worker Shortage Passes Illinois House
A bill to allow individuals with criminal justice backgrounds to work as Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) caseworkers has passed the Illinois State House and will now head to the Senate.
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Early Childhood Task Force Establishes Professional Standards
For the first time ever, early childhood educators have collectively defined the standards, qualifications, roles, supports, and compensation for members
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IECAM Contributes Data Expertise to Prenatal to Three Initiative
The Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map (IECAM) recently participated in the Prenatal to Three (PN3) Initiative facilitated by the Irving
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In Memoriam: Early Childhood Researcher J. Ronald Lally
The early child community is mourning the loss of J. Ronald Lally , a pioneer in the field of infant/toddler
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Pritzker Increases Funding for Early Childhood Progams in FY21 Budget
While the new budget does provide for increased funding for early childhood education, it also contains appropriations of $1.4 billion for K-12 and other programs to be held in reserve pending the outcome of a November ballot question on a graduated income tax.
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Drug Poisoning Mortality Map
While drug-related deaths are much more common among adults than children, it is likely that millions of children in the United States have been directly or indirectly affected by the epidemic.
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IDHS Increases Maximum Child Care Payment Rates for Providers
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has announced a rate increase for all child care provider types effective January 1, 2020.
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PFA Equity Report Suggests Moving to Need-Based Formula
A recently released equity analysis from Illinois Action for Children and the Sylvia Cotton Center for Policy Innovation suggests moving
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Family Child Care Homes
Latest data: 2019 Family child care provides care for groups of children in a homelike setting. Licensed Family Child Care may care
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Risk and Reach Data Now Available by Legislative District
The Illinois Risk and Reach Report from Erikson Institute has been updated to include indicators by Illinois Senate and House
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Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Support Nonprofit Child Care Providers
This week two members of Congress introduced the bipartisan Small Business Child Care Investment Act. This Act would allow qualified nonprofit
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ISBE Releases FY21 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) / Request for Proposals (RFP)
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has released a Notice of of Opportunity (NOFO)/Request for Proposals (RFP) for Fiscal Year 2021 Preschool for All (PFA), Preschool for All Expansion (PFAE), and Prevention Initiative (PI).
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Governor Pritzker Announces Next Phase of His Early Education Agenda
Governor Pritzker has announced that his early education agenda will center on expanding home visiting programs statewide and improving pay for early childhood educators.
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New for 2020: Improved Pathways to IECAM Data
Looking for early childhood data in the new year? You may have noticed some changes in the search options on the IECAM website.
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Chicago Public Schools to Provide Bus Service to Preschool Students With Disabilities
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has committed to ensuring that preschool-aged children with disabilities can receive bussing to, from, and between their home, their CPS school and the community-based preschool they attend.
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Illinois Public Media Examines Inequity in Illinois Schools
Illinois Public Media recently published an article on the divisive lines between school districts in the state – boundaries where
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Birth Rates
Women with births in the past 12 months – Rate per 1,000 women; Estimate; Women 15 to 50 years, 2009-2019
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Illinois to Receive $40 Million in Federal Funding for Early Childhood Programs
The Governor’s Office announced over the holidays that the state will receive $40.2 million in federal grants over the next
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Risk and Reach Report Updates: County Snapshots and More
Risk and Reach data by county is now available for download. These shareable one-pagers contain the child population for each county, risk level, and percentages and actual numbers for each indicator in the Report.
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Summary of 2019 Illinois Early Childhood Legislation Now Available
The Ounce of Prevention has released a summary of the FY2020 early childhood bills that became law in Illinois over
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Governor Pritzker Creates Early Childhood Funding Commission
The governor has named a 29-person Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding and tasked it with figuring out how to have the biggest impact with limited funds.
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Infographic: Illinois Publicly Funded Early Childhood Programs
This new infographic lays out age eligibility, funding streams, and administering agencies for the range of publicly funded early childhood programs in Illinois.
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New Child Care Data Available
IECAM has recently updated its database to include FY2018 information on Illinois Licensed Child Care Centers, License-Exempt Child Care Centers and Licensed Family Child Care Homes.
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Study on Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS) Tool Focuses on Data Collection and Use
A recent study conducted by Teach Plus focuses on how educators collect Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS) data, how they use this data to inform instruction, and the impact data collection and use has on student outcomes.
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New Report Examines Race and Ethnicity in State-Funded Preschool Programs Across the Country
This recent report from The Education Trust examines race and ethnicity in state-funded preschool programs across the country
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Data Update: Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
IECAM has updated its database to include FY2017 Child Care Assistance Program data from the Illinois Department of Human Services
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Data Story Update: Refugee Arrivals in Illinois by Country of Origin 2015 – 19
This data story, using the most recent data from the U.S. Department of State, shows the number of refugee arrivals
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Illinois Report Card: Public PreK Enrollment in Illinois on the Rise
Public PreK enrollment in Illinois is on the rise in 2019, according to the newly released Illinois Report Card. You
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Data Update: Before and After School Care
IECAM has updated its tabular database to include 2017 data for before and after school care.
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Head Start Funded Enrollment in Illinois 2009-2018
This chart shows the total number of children that Head Start programs in the state of Illinois are funded to enroll at any one time, from 2009-2018.
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2019 Report on Public Education in Illinois Uses IECAM Data to Advocate for Expanded Access to Quality Early Childhood Programs
A new report from Advance Illinois analyzes data provided by the Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map (IECAM) to urge the state of Illinois to expand access to quality early childhood programs.
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Shortage of Early Childhood Teachers in Southern Illinois Causing Trouble for Local Learning Centers
A recent article in the Southern Illinoisan is drawing attention to the early childhood teacher shortage in Southern Illinois.
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What Can the Data Really Tell us About the Number of Young Children Experiencing Homelessness in Illinois?
Access to accurate data on the number of young children and families experiencing homelessness in Illinois is a critical first step in crafting effective policies to address the problem.
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Telling Your Data Story With IECAM: Presenting Data for Maximum Impact – A StoryMap Presentation
This presentation offers multiple examples of easy-to-use data visualization tools and resources that can enable just about anyone to tell their unique data story quickly and effectively.
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Illinois Risk and Reach Fiscal Scan Now Available for Download
The Illinois Risk & Reach Fiscal Scan is now available for download from the Risk and Reach Report website hosted
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More Illinois Families Now Eligible for Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has relaxed the eligibility limit for the state’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP),
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New Report Finds Early Childhood Settings More Segregated Than K-12 Schools
A new report from The Urban Institute looks at the racial and ethnic composition of early childhood programs and asks
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America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2019 Report
America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, an annual report of federal statistics on the health and well-being of America’s
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American Commmunity Survey Provides New State & Local Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Statistics
The U.S. Census Bureau has released its most detailed look at America’s people, places and economy.
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New Resources Provide Strategies to Improve Transition into Kindergarten
Two new resources from New America are now available to help policy makers and administrators improve the transition from preschool
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U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2018 Poverty, Income, and Health Insurance Data
The U.S. Census Bureau has released 2018 data on income, poverty and health insurance coverage. According to the data, the
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Data Update: Child Care Program Accreditation
The data team at IECAM has updated the child care program accreditation data to include fiscal year 2017 (July 1 – June 30).
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Young Children as Percentage of Total Population by Illinois County
This map shows the percentage of children ages 5 years and under of the total population of each county in Illinois, based on 2017 demographic data.
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2019 Illinois KIDS COUNT Report Released
Voices for Illinois Children has released its 2019 Illinois KIDS COUNT Report. This report evaluates the state of Illinois children within four domains: Socioeconomics, Education, Health and Safety, and Housing.
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Illinois Legislative District Maps: State Senate, State House, and U.S. Congressional
Do you need to quickly identify specific Illinois legislative districts? Zoom in and click, or type an address, on these interactive maps to locate the geographic information you need.
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2017 Demographic Data Now Available on IECAM
2017 demographic data are now available in the IECAM online database.
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Fiscal Mapping for Early Childhood Services: How-To Guide and Data Collection Tool
One way to tackle the challenges associated with multiple funding streams for early childhood services is to develop a fiscal mapping process. The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has developed this how-to guide and data collection tool to provide a framework and steps to complete this process.
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Prenatal-to-Three Policy Guidebook for Legislators
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), in working with legislators and legislative staff, has designed this guidebook for considering prenatal-to-three issues and policy options.
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Updated: IECAM Report on Languages Spoken by Children Data from the U.S. Census Bureau
This updated report explains three types of U.S. Census Bureau on language diversity that may help answer policy questions such
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Ensuring Equitable Access to Funding for All Birth-to-Five Classroom-Based Early Childhood Programs in Illinois
A new report from the Ad Hoc Committee on Mixed Delivery Systems of the Illinois Early Learning Council explores the challenges in our current system for community-based programs’ participation in Preschool for All and Prevention Initiative.
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Study of Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs Released
A new study conducted by Abt Associates is offering an up-to-date, nationally representative picture of the families and children served
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Poverty-Related Data and Resources on IECAM
Research has consistently shown that poverty has a significant and lasting impact on a child’s development. Here’s a list of data and resources found on IECAM related to early childhood and poverty.
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More Illinois Counties on Poverty Warning/Watch List
The 2019 Illinois Poverty Data and Well-Being Index developed by the Heartland Alliance Social Impact Research Center indicates that 67
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Illinois Child Health Equity Advocacy Group Hopes to Gather Homelessness Data
The Collaborative for Children’s Health Policy, a new statewide collaborative dedicated to achieving child health equity in Illinois, has announced
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Good News for Illinois Early Intervention Providers: IDHS Increases Reimbursement Rates for FY20
After several years of budget cuts, Illinois early intervention providers will see their reimbursement rates increase effective July 1, 2019.
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DuPage Children’s Museum Leadership Takes Action After Reading Risk and Reach Report
A recent Chicago Tribune article reports that the DuPage Children’s Museum is expanding and reframing programming in response to the
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ISBE’s 2019 KIDS Report: 26% of Illinois Children Developmentally Ready for Kindergarten
Results from a new report from the Illinois State Board of Education show 26% of children met readiness standards for kindergarten in all of the measured areas while 39% percent met standards in none of the categories.
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lllinois Weighs How to Rebuild Child Care Program That Saw Exodus of Children, Caregivers
This recent article in Chalkbeat looks at how new Governor Pritzker is trying to to rebuild a state program that
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New Guide Helps State Education Agencies Promote Success for English Learners PreK- Grade 3
A new guide from the Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) and the Council of Chief State School Officers
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IECAM for the Child Care Community
Are you looking for Illinois early childhood data related to child care in Illinois? Click on these links to access resources, guides and tools useful to child care providers.
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New Report Sheds Light on Early Home Experiences of Latino Children
A new report from the National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families sheds light on the early home experiences of Latino children in order to better understand how these experiences are linked to their developmental trajectories.
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2019 Kids Count Data Book Released
The 30th edition of the KIDS COUNT Data Book from The Annie E. Casey Foundation is now available. The 2019
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Illinois Birth Statistics, 2010–2019
These charts can help you visualize trends in birth statistics from 2010–2019 in Illinois.
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Come explore your data with us!
Ready for some fun? Here are ideas for how to get creative with your data in order to make the most impact in your community.
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UIC Researchers Investigate Illinois Early Childhood Programs’ Expulsion Practices
Researchers from University of Illinois at Chicago have conducted a study of Illinois Early Childhood programs’ current and prior expulsion practices as well as their understanding of, and responses to, Illinois Public Act 100-0105.
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Illinois Early Childhood Funding Sees Boost of $50 Million in New State Budget
The Illinois House finished up what was perhaps the most monumental legislative session in recent memory this past weekend, after
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IECAM for Advocates
IECAM provides comprehensive early childhood data and maps to Illinois stakeholders in order to improve outcomes for Illinois children. Click on the links below to access resources and tools useful to early childhood advocates.
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IECAM for Families and the General Public
Information provided by IECAM can be used by members of the general public who are interested in finding out more about publicly funded services in their area.
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Child Care and Early Education Equity Action Agenda Released
CLASP has released a state action agenda describing key state early education programs, significant challenges, and recommendations for how state
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IECAM for Legislators and Staff
IECAM provides comprehensive early childhood data and maps to local and state governmental agencies in order to make state resource allocation transparent and support data guided policy making. Click on the links below to access resources, information and tools useful to legislators and agency staff.
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IECAM for Researchers
Click these links to access tools, resources and information useful for research purposes.
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New Research Shows High-Quality ECE Strengthens Families and Can Break the Cycle of Poverty
A new analysis from Nobel laureate economist James J. Heckman and colleagues finds that targeted, high-quality early childhood investments have
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IECAM for School Staff & Administrators
Are you looking for Illinois early childhood data to support a grant application or stakeholder presentation, plan for the future, improve outcomes for your students, or understand funding allocations? Click on these links to access resources, guides and tools useful to school administrators.
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IECAM for Grant Writers
Are you looking for Illinois early childhood data to support a grant narrative or fill out a required grant-related form? You have come to the right place! Click on the buttons below to access grant-writing tools, resources and guides.
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New Report Examines How CCR&Rs Can Help Communities Meet Child Care Supply and Demand Needs
A new report from ChildCare Aware examines state-funded CCR&Rs (Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies) and other policy-focused organizations to understand their
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Where the Population is Changing 2010-2018 Map from US Census Bureau
Update: Looking for a more recent map you can click on? This interactive ESRI map visualizes population shifts across the
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IFF Statewide Early Childhood Education Needs Assessment Released
A new report from IFF takes a look at disparities in access to quality early childhood education services across Illinois.
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Updated on IECAM: the Multiyear Search Tool!
With this tool, you can discover changes over time in your area (town, school district, community area, legislative district, etc.)
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National Head Start Association Launches New Online Community
The National Head Start Association has launched a new online community called “The Block,” enabling conversation within a national network
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CLASP Report Points to Inequitable Access to Child Care Subsidies
A new policy analysis from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) finds that just 8 percent of potentially
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Illinois Legislators to Consider a Bill Requiring Children to Start School by Age Five
Illinois legislators are considering a bill that says children must start kindergarten by age 5 instead of 6. The proposed
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New Report Describes State Early Childhood Education Agency Staff and Their Priorities
A new report from the Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) at the National Institute for Early Education Research
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New Data Alert: 2017 Child Care Data from the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NCCRRA)
IECAM now offers 2017 licensed and licensed-exempt child care center and licensed family care home data for various Illinois regions.
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Inaugural Illinois Risk and Reach Report Now Available for Download
The Illinois Risk and Reach report offers a set of data tools (including a comprehensive early childhood focused report) along
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Overview of Policy Differences Across States/Territories Implementing the CCDF Child Care Subsidy Program
This recently released brief provides a graphic overview of some of the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) policy differences
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Percent of Low Birth Weight (<2,500 grams) Births by County in 2016
This map shows the percentage of births characterized by low birth weight (<2,500 grams) by Illinois County in 2016.
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FY2018 Head Start and Early Head Start Data Now Available!
IECAM now has 2018 data on Head Start and Early Head Start available. To access this information, use the tabular
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New Report Underscores Importance of Child Care Access to Boosting Maternal Employment and Earnings
A new report from the Center for American Progress highlights the relationship between child care and maternal employment and underscores
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NCSL Report Lists New Early Care and Education Bills Signed into Law Across the US in 2018
The National Conference of State Legislature (NCSL) has tracked 2018 legislation across the United States related to child care, prekindergarten,
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In Memory of Dr. Edward Zigler, “Father of Head Start”
Developmental psychologist and pioneer in early education Dr. Edward Ziglar passed away last month. He was 88 years old. Dr.
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Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Maps, 2016 and 2017
The map below shows the percentage of children age 5 and under whose families received assistance from IDHS for their
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New Report on Educator Shortage Shows 20% of Early Childhood Positions in Illinois Remain Unfilled or Filled by an Unqualified Professional
A new report from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, Southern Illinois University and Goshen Education Consulting demonstrates
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New Data Update: IDHS Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
IECAM recently updated its Illinois Department of Human Services Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) data. This new information includes the
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Types of Information on IECAM
This 1-minute video describes the types and forms of information found on the IECAM website.
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New Report Evaluates Pre-K Programs in Forty U.S. Cities
A newly-released report has found that while cities have been expanding availability of publicly-funded pre-K to young children, many of
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Illinois Risk and Reach Report Sneak Peek: Services and Resources Don’t Always Match Up
This past Monday, the Erikson Institute gave a sneak peek of its Illinois Risk and Reach report at the City
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Introducing IECAM
Find out who uses IECAM and why in this 1-minute video!
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Percentage of Births to Mothers Age Twenty and Above who Are Not High School Graduates, By Illinois County (2018)
Be sure to visit this page for additional maps and charts on the topic of parents’ and mothers’ education Levels.
Read moreNew Research Study Shows Quality Early Childhood Education Reduces Need for Special Education Later On
A team of special education researchers has concluded, in a report sponsored by Memorial University, that participation in quality early
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New Data Additions: 2018 Migrant and Seasonal Head Start
To find 2018 Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program data on our website, navigate to IECAM’s tabular data search ,
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