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Ounce Illinois Policy Early Edition: June 2020

The Ounce stands in solidarity with the Black community

Enough is enough.

The Ounce’s work to provide a bright and just future for all children would not be possible without recognizing that each child, family and community has been uniquely impacted and traumatized by generations of institutional racism and long-tolerated inequities.

As an organization committed to making sure that all children have the best chances in life, we stand in solidarity with those peacefully protesting the historical trauma, institutional racism and police brutality that is rampant in major U.S. cities. We unequivocally condemn this senseless violence and acknowledge the problems that plague communities of color across the country—lack of economic opportunity, over-policing, inaccessible healthcare, housing instability and environmental inequities. We see these issues, among others, as a direct threat to our mission, and we will continue to identify and prioritize the populations most impacted by these barriers. Read our full statement.

Several resources are available to help you talk to young children about race and violence:

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Learn about the Early Childhood Connector

A new collaborative online platform for the early childhood field

Over the course of the last year, the Ounce has worked with a group of early childhood organizations, community leaders and experts to design a shared online community for our field. While we continue to co-design a broader knowledge-sharing platform together, we have decided to accelerate access and launch the site early to facilitate a more cohesive and collaborative response to the crisis caused by COVID-19.

The Early Childhood Connector (ECC) provides a place for those in the early childhood field to share and connect in real-time to most effectively support children and families. The ECC elevates the work occurring across the country by gleaning on our collective expertise to find innovative solutions and ideas, particularly as we adapt to the disruptions cause by the pandemic.

Interested in learning more? Join us on Thursday, June 25 at 2 p.m. CST for a demonstration of the platform.

Stay in the know with these advocacy updates

Thank you for making your voice heard

Our first ever Virtual Early Childhood Advocacy Week was a success

This year, due to the ongoing pandemic, we hosted our first ever Virtual Early Childhood Advocacy Week, modifying our annual in-person event and offering a variety of virtual activities for individuals to advocate for early childhood investments. Because of your support, we sent nearly 350 letters to legislators, and you made your voices heard. We know these are trying times, and many of us are facing other pressures and priorities, so we thank you for acting and supporting our state’s youngest learners. We encourage you to continue advocating on behalf of children and families during this time. If you a caregiver, parent, grandparent or employer with a child care challenge, please share your story for the Child Care Relief campaign. Learn more.

Supports available to Illinois’ families

Including changes to emergency assistance and SNAP purchasing, take a minute to read and share

Eligible households can receive emergency assistance to cover the costs of utility bills, rent, temporary shelter, food and other necessities thanks to expanded income eligibility through the Help Illinois Families Initiative. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. To view the eligibility criteria, required documentation, or to start your remote application, visit the initiative’s website.

SNAP online purchasing now available! As of June 2, the Illinois Department of Human Services is offering online purchasing for recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This benefit is automatically provided to existing Link card holders and can be used online at Amazon.com and Walmart.com.

Recap: Spring Legislative Session

Update on the state’s approved FY 2021 state budget

Last month, the Illinois 2020 legislative session concluded with the convening of a four-day special session in Springfield, where legislators approved a state budget for Fiscal Year 2021 that maintained funding for early childhood programs. Shortly after, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the budget into law. We thank the Illinois General Assembly and Gov. Pritzker for their continued support of the early care and education system. Read our full statement here.

COVID-19 Illinois Policy Resources

Resources to support families and providers during the pandemic

The Illinois Policy Team has maintained an ongoing list of trusted resources to ensure families and providers are informed during the COVID-19 pandemic. During these times, it can be difficult to parse through all of the information, so we created a resource hub that captures information from reliable sources that are updated regularly. Visit the Ounce’s COVID-19 resource page.

The Ounce of Prevention Fund gives children in poverty the best chance for success in school and in life by advocating for and providing the highest-quality care and education from birth to age five.

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