|
 The
Department of Early Childhood was created to focus exclusively on
early childhood programs and services for young children, improving
equity and accessibility for families and caregivers. The new
department will consolidate programs for young children currently
housed across the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the
Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Illinois
Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
Representatives from the department’s Transition Advisory Committee
are holding listening sessions to seek input on shaping the future
of early childhood services in Illinois.
“The purpose of these listening sessions is to not only seek input
from families, providers, business members, and local leadership,
but also to share information about next steps in the transition
process” said Dr. Johnna Darragh-Ernst, Distinguished Professor of
Early Childhood Education at Heartland Community College.
Area residents Dr. Darragh-Ernst and Lakeesha
Smith-James were appointed by Governor JB Pritzker as two of
eighteen members of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood
Transition Advisory Committee.
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The Regional Listening Sessions
will be held as follows:
Wednesday, September 4 at 4:30 PM-5:30 PM
Heartland Community College Main Campus, Room 1406/1407
Community Commons Building
Thursday, September 5 at 4:30 PM-5:30 PM
Heartland Community College Lincoln Center, Room 209
Wednesday, September 18 at 4:30 PM-5:30 PM
Heartland Community College Pontiac Center, Room 220
Admission to the listening sessions is free and open to the
public. Information on campus locations can be found at
www.heartland.edu.
[Steve Fast
Assistant to the President, Public Information and Communication
Heartland Community College] |
