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Make Your Voice Count!Kudos to the many of you who have already cast your general election ballots through early voting opportunities. This election is critical - it is a presidential election year, and several other key federal and state officials are on the ballot. COVID-19 pandemic concerns make this election particularly significant as public officials will make important decisions, both on local and national levels, that impact our children and families.

To vote in Illinois, you can:
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Check your
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registration status
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If you are not yet registered to vote, you can register and vote in-person at early voting locations or at your polling place through Nov. 3.
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Submit an application to vote by mail by Oct. 29. Because of COVID-19, the Illinois State Board of Elections is anticipated to receive overwhelming requests to vote by mail. It’s highly encouraged that mail-in ballots are requested at least two weeks before the Oct. 29 deadline.
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Vote in-person at your polling location(s) - vote early or on election day.
- Encourage others to vote, and ensure they have all the right information for how to do so!

Visit the
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Illinois Board of Elections for more information. Not an Illinois resident?
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Find your state’s election authority.








It's Official! We Are Now Start EarlyFor nearly 40 years, we have delivered best-in-class doula, home visiting, Early Head Start and Head Start programs and have advocated for thoughtful policies and adequate funding at local, state and federal levels. From our roots directly serving families and children on Chicago’s South Side and in rural Illinois, we have expanded to impact programs and policies nationwide. 


Start Early and our Illinois Policy Team will continue to have a substantial presence in Illinois as we have for decades. We will also continue to expand our reach across the country, working with other early childhood leaders, providing professional development opportunities and consulting with partners and advocates to deliver and fight for all families and young children.


To learn more about the important of our work and what it means to Start Early, check out our new website,
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StartEarly.org.


Follow our new Start Early social media handles for the latest news and updates:
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Watch and share our new video:


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We are also exited to share that the Illinois Policy Team is on Twitter! Follow
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@EarlyEdIL for early childhood policy updates in Illinois.









ISBE Holds Budget HearingsLast week the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) concluded hearings for public input on budget priorities for Fiscal Year 2022. These hearings are typically held in-person and around the state, to provide for a range of stakeholders to be able to speak directly to Board members. Due to restrictions because of COVID-19, these hearings were virtual, providing stakeholders the opportunity to address Board members or submit written remarks on their priorities for ISBE.


Advocates for early childhood education testified at each of the three hearings and submitted written remarks, requesting a $50 million increase in early childhood funding. Given the challenges of the ongoing pandemic and potential changes to early childhood education funding under consideration by the Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding, advocates recommended focusing these funds on reducing disparities in teacher pay (particularly between teachers based in school programs and those in community-based programs), and in providing additional supports and flexibilities as programs will still be dealing with COVID-19-related impacts in some ways moving forward.
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Learn more.







Available Resources: Domestic Violence and Emotional Health October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center
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offers resources that enhance provider knowledge on preventing and responding to domestic violence. Additionally, the Illinois COVID-19 Equity Team’s Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse Prevention Workgroup has compiled
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this list of available resources.


The COVID-19 public health emergency has created a stressful time for families and early care and learning providers, as we all struggle with concerns about our health and adjustments to new routines. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we care for our emotional well-being. In order to help families, early childhood providers and birth-to-age 5 leaders manage stress and promote wellness, the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development, in partnership with the Illinois Pyramid Model Statewide Leadership Team, has developed several social-emotional toolkits.
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Emotional Well-Being Toolkit: Resources for Children, Families and Caregivers
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Watch a short tutorial on how to navigate the toolkit for families
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Social-Emotional Toolkit: Resources for Early Childhood Education and Care Providers
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Social-Emotional Toolkit: Resources for Birth to Five LEADERS
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Illinois has also created a text hotline to provide emotional support to residents who may be struggling with stress associated with COVID-19.
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Read more about the Call4Calm Text Line and other resources.







Early Childhood Advocacy Heroes: the Illinois Legislative Black CaucusAs the issues of systemic racism have gained heightened attention in our nation, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus has announced the development of legislation to address those issues in our state. The legislative agenda is built on the four pillars of criminal justice reform, education and workforce development, economic opportunity, and health care and human services. Under the leadership of longtime early childhood champion Sen. Kimberly Lightford and State Rep. Carol Ammons, two hearings were held to consider the role of early childhood programs in this agenda. Lawmakers and advocates explored issues of equitable access to adequately funded early childhood programs.


Start Early applauds the Black Caucus for recognizing the importance of early childhood programs in their work. The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus plans to introduce legislation in the fall Veto Session.
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Learn more about the agenda.







It's Time to Get Published: Write an Op-Ed on the Importance of Early Learning and Care As students return to new school environments, many families still struggle to access child care and early education services. Help convey the importance of early learning and care programs by sharing your story today in a letter to the editor! See our tips to write and submit letters.
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Letters to the Editor: A How-to Guide, English
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Cartas al Editor: Un Guia, Espanol



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Start Early 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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(c)2020 Start Early


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