Local Agency Advocating for Early Childhood Education in Knox, Warren, Mercer, and Henderson Counties

By Eleanor Sevigny

Published July 10, 2024 in The Burg

  Birth to Five Illinois is “a statewide program. There are 39 regional offices. Each office has a staff of three who work with local stakeholders and families in the community to improve early childhood education in Knox, Warren, Mercer, and Henderson Counties.” explained Jim Walters, the Region 33 Council Manager.

  Walters has been a part of Birth to Five Illinois for “three years. I have been doing human services work for over 35 years. Birth to Five Illinois is part of a bigger nonprofit, INCCRRA, which is very highly thought of. I saw INCCRRA was hiring. I didn't know what it was for, but I knew they were a solid employer that does great things, so I applied. That’s how I ended up working with Birth to Five Illinois.”

  Region 33 is “working on an action plan. We have two different groups that meet monthly. One group is an action council made up of community stakeholders. The other group is made up of families and parents/caregivers who have children ages 8 and under. Together we are working on an online universal resource for families who have children under 8 in their house, so they can find everything from the right doctor to educational resources. We also try to show support to SAL for in-home care providers. Most recently we talked with our councils about health and behavioral needs for children. We are developing an action goal for mental and behavioral health. It is an issue everyone wants to talk about. We don’t have enough support for kids. They often have to go somewhere like Springfield or Iowa to receive care. Then there are insurance or transportation issues.” 

  Right now Region 33 Birth to Five Illinois is “recruiting for our councils. We need parents and caregivers with children under 8 to join our councils.”

  “Our councils meet once a month. We create the date when we meet every month based on everyone’s availability. Right now it is the 4th Tuesday, but that will reset in October based on our new council members availability. The family council meets virtually and gets a small quarterly stipend. The stakeholders council meets in person and does not have a stipend.” explained Alli Chasteen, the Family and Community Engagement Specialist for Region 33. 

  “Our councils are very Knox County centric because our office is situated in Knox County. We can accommodate a lot more members. Going into year four we would like to double the councils as well as get more representation outside of Knox County.” added Walters. 

  The deadline for applying to join the council is “September 5, 2025. New councils will meet starting in October.”

  Chasteen would like our community to know “check out our website (https://www.birthtofiveil.com/region33). If anyone is interested in advocating for early childhood education, reach out. Feel free to contact me at achasteen@birthtofiveil.com.”

  Walters added “check out Birth to Five Illinois and our councils at https://www.birthtofiveil.com/councils. If you are interested, become involved.”  

  If you are interested in applying to join the council, go to https://www.birthtofiveil.com/councilsand fill out the interest form.