Since the spring 2024 legislation creating the Department of Early Childhood, a new, unified early childhood agency administering programs for children under age five, Illinois continues to work to build a simpler, fairer and better early childhood system. The foundation of this is an aligned system supporting a healthy early childhood workforce. But achieving that alignment for quality is complex, and remains a challenge for every state, including Illinois. In the current system, fragmented requirements between multiple State agencies, disjointed educator compensation requirements and unaligned systems for professional development have made it difficult for early childhood professionals to enter the workforce, to achieve a livable wage and to grow in their career. Access to high-quality early education programs for children and families requires well-prepared, well-supported and highly respected professionals in every school, early childhood center, family childcare and home visiting program.
Following our first webinar on Illinois’ New Unified Early Childhood Agency in June 2024, W. Clement and Jessie V. Stone Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation invite you to continue the conversation with a dive into what simpler, fairer and better looks like for the early childhood workforce. Illinois is not alone in the race to strengthen and grow the early childhood workforce, so we will start this conversation with two leaders offering a national perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Featured speakers include:
Lea Austin, Executive Director, Center for the Study of Child Care Employment
Sherri Killins Stewart, President/CEO, Leaders Making it Possible, Inc.
Ann Whalen, Early Childhood Transition Director, Illinois State Board of Education
Moderators:
Bryan Stokes, Director, Education Portfolio, Robert R McCormick Foundation
Sara Slaughter, Executive Director, W. Clement and Jessie V. Stone Foundation
Brandon Thorne, Senior Program Officer, W. Clement and Jessie V. Stone Foundation