The Illinois Prenatal to Three Agenda Drives Bold, Collective Action on Behalf of Infants, Toddlers and Families

Through collective execution of the agenda, 100,000 more expecting families, infants and toddlers will receive services and supports they need.

In late 2019, in Illinois, a broad group of 100+ diverse stakeholders convened to develop an ambitious, comprehensive, multi-year and strategic policy agenda that spells out exactly what Illinois families need to have the strongest foundation in their first years of life.

Through the agenda’s execution, 100,000 more expecting families, infants and toddlers will receive services and supports they need by 2025. In developing recommended policy priorities, we examined data, considered lived experiences of families and providers, applied a racial equity lens and focused on Illinois’ priority populations.

While our agenda is comprehensive, its structure is clear and simple with four interconnected priorities: healthy parents and babies, high-quality learning, economically secure families and strong infrastructure. Learn more about our priorities and how we plan to move them forward.

At the time of the agenda’s development, we had no idea that the last two years would bring such radical changes. In this unprecedented landscape, many of us have seen, in increasingly stark terms, the growing number of families who face frightening financial hardship and have uncertain access to health services that could not be more critical.

If we truly want to end the racial inequities that persist today, we must start at the beginning and ensure that expecting families and babies have what they need for a strong foundation.

By launching the Raising Illinois coalition in 2020, we are driving towards the implementation of our state’s agenda and critical changes for Illinois children and families. Join us in this important work. Learn more.

Other News & Resources

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Raising Illinois asks our program partners for their perspectives on the FY24 ECBG RFP process

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09 June 2023
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Spring Legislative Wrap-Up Major strides, but some setbacks, for infants, toddlers, and expecting families at the General Assembly In the early morning of Saturday, May 27, the 103rd General Assembly adjourned this year’s spring legislative session.…

Raising Illinois’ Response to the Approved Illinois Fiscal Year 2024 State Budget

30 May 2023
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Raising Illinois applauds the General Assembly for approving an FY24 budget aligned with Smart Start Illinois

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