“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
– Nelson Mandela
CS3 Updates
New and Improved! The Illinois Early Childhood Collaboration Directory
We’ve just released a new, updated, and interactive version of the Illinois Early Childhood Collaboration Directory. Use this interactive tool to discover where more than 90 collaborations across the state are operating and learn more about them. To add or update your collaboration’s information, simply complete this form.
Upcoming Trainings
CSD Foundational Training 101
New to early childhood collaborations? This training will provide a foundational understanding of community systems development work and strengthen core concepts for those in existing collaborations.
Participants will:
- Understand the importance of racial equity in early childhood systems
- Learn about community systems development
- Understand the role of early childhood community collaborations.
This training will be facilitated by Artishia Hunter.
Location: Virtual
Date: Tuesday, August 19
Time: 10-11:45 a.m.
This training is eligible for Gateways credits and certificates issued in collaboration with The Center: Early Childhood Professional Learning.
Please note, this training will not be recorded.
Leading Without Authority
Discover how to lead and influence effectively without formal authority in our three-part series, Leading Without Authority. Designed for early childhood community collaboration leaders, this training will help you build trust, communicate effectively, and create a collaborative environment. Learn essential strategies for influence, problem-solving, and conflict resolution to make a meaningful impact in your organization.
Participants will:
- Understand leadership without formal power and explore different leadership styles
- Develop practical strategies for effective team leadership
- Learn conflict resolution strategies and develop personalized leadership plans
This training will be facilitated by Jaclyn Vasquez and Rebecca Halperin.
Location: Virtual
Date(s): Part 1 – Tuesday, September 9
Part 2 – Tuesday, September 16
Part 3 – Tuesday, September 23
Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
This training is eligible for Gateways credits and certificates issued in collaboration with The Center: Early Childhood Professional Learning.
Please note, this training will not be recorded.
Other Events & Updates
Illinois Action for Children Responds to Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget
On May 31, the Illinois General Assembly approved the state’s budget for FY26 (SB2150), which includes important investments in early childhood care and education. The budget supports the third year of Smart Start Illinois, boosting salaries for early childhood educators through Smart Start Workforce Grants and expanding the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to help more working families afford quality care.
IAFC celebrates these steps forward—but there’s still work to do. Funding for several key programs remains flat, including:
- Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship
- Early Intervention (EI)
- Home Visiting
- Early Childhood Block Grant
These programs are essential to building a strong foundation for Illinois’ youngest learners—and they need more support. Want to help strengthen early childhood programs in Illinois? Read our full response to the FY26 budget and learn how you can advocate for the funding our children and educators deserve.
Join Us for the Engaging Parents in Local Collaborations Webinar
Explore best practices for engaging parents in early childhood collaborations and strengthening family leadership across Illinois.
In part four of our Family Engagement Webinar Series we’ll spotlight IAFC’s hands-on work with local collaborations through the Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3) and Community Parenting Saturation Supports (CPSS) initiatives—highlighting proven strategies for building authentic parent partnerships that drive change.
Date: Friday, July 25
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
WeConnect/On-Demand Learning
WeConnect is designed to bring together members who are dedicated to advancing Community Systems Development in the Early Childhood Education and Care world.
WeConnect gives you access to:
- Online Communities: Connect with your collaboration, get early childhood and community systems development news, and meet other collaborations members online.
- Discussions: Ask questions and share your knowledge and ideas.
- Resource Libraries: Share and find resources you need.
- Member Directory: Get in touch with other collaboration members.
WeConnect also offers CS3’s Gateway-accredited, on-demand online courses. Free and accessible at any time you and your collaboration members can access courses on Governance, Community Systems Development, Coordinated Intake and more.
Be sure to check out our newest online module, Fiscal Sustainability101.
Please note, check your spam folder if you have not received a confirmation email.
Resources
Access Printing Support
The CS3 team is continuing to offer support in partnership with American Color Labs for printing services. If your local early childhood collaboration has marketing materials that you’d like to print, please complete this Request for Support form.
Printing support can include flyers, annual reports, marketing collateral, stickers, banners, posters, and more. Please reach out to the CS3 team if you have questions about this support.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a service provided specifically to early childhood education and care (ECEC) collaborations. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests for individual programs.