Financially Secure Families
Improving the Economic Health of Families Will Have a Direct and Profound Impact on Illinois’ Infants and Toddlers
Research is clear that poverty is the single greatest threat to children’s well-being. Unfortunately, poverty disproportionately impacts families with young children. Parents of infants and toddlers face countless barriers when accessing income supports, employment policies that are compatible with parenting (such as paid family and medical leave) and affordable child care programs.
Recommended Strategies
The objectives below provide tangible and achievable steps that policymakers in Illinois can take to improve the economic health, well-being and success of the state’s infants and toddlers and their families.

Income Supports for Families
Alleviate financial constraints of families by simplifying access to income support programs through policy change, investment and collaboration.
Family-friendly Work Policies
Cohesion between families with infants and toddlers and employers can improve the physical and economic health of those families and their communities.
News & Resources
Babies Can’t Wait Postcard
Take Action! “Babies Can’t Wait” Postcard Campaign Fill out a postcard & share your Early Intervention story with legislators & program administrators. Let them know that our babies can’t wait! Many families whose children need and…
Our 2022 Accomplishments & 2023 Priorities
Raising Illinois shares the accomplishments of 2022 and priorities for 2023
Raising Illinois’ Statement on MIECHV Expansion & Reauthorization
Raising Illinois celebrates the inclusion of MIECHV and early childhood investments in Congress’s year-end omnibus