“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” – Dolly Parton
CS3 Updates
Save The Date: 2027 Partner Plan Act Conference
The CS3 Team is excited to announce the 2027 Partner Plan Act Conference, which will be held virtually from May 18 – 20, 2027!
Join us for engaging discussions, insightful sessions, and networking opportunities.
Be sure to check the Partner Plan Act Website for registration information.
Stay Connected with Partner Plan Act!
We’re excited to announce that Partner Plan Act is now on Facebook and LinkedIn! Follow us to stay connected on the latest announcements, share resources, and get updates on the 2027 Partner Plan Act Conference.
You can also follow Illinois Action for Children on Instagram for updates and highlights across our agency.
Upcoming Trainings
Collaboration Highlight – Lunch & Learn: PAASSS
Tuesday, September 22 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Join us as we highlight Parents and Agencies Aligning for Stronger Support Systems (PAASSS), a collaborative serving Grundy and Kendall Counties that is strengthening systems through shared leadership, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.
Learn how this volunteer-led, backbone-supported collaborative brings together community partners to identify needs, coordinate services, strengthen family supports, and create innovative, community-driven solutions. From developing a family resource center to leading regional initiatives that connect families with resources, PAASSS demonstrates how strong partnerships can build sustainable systems that respond to the unique needs of local communities.
Please note, this session will be recorded.
Enhancing Racial Equity in Early Childhood Collaborations and Systems
Two-Part Series Starting October 10, 2026 | 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
This training is designed to help participants understand and embody equity within the context of early childhood collaborations. You will walk away with an understanding of racial equity and best practices to integrate these principles into your professional activities and daily life so you can foster and sustain equitable environments in early childhood systems.
- Part 1: Foundational Knowledge
- Part 2: Application of Knowledge
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
House Bill 2190
In July 2026, Governor JB Pritzker signed HB2190 into law. This bill was aimed at ensuring child care center staff would be able to respond to an emergency by requiring child care centers to have at least two non-administrative staff members certified in first aid, CPR, and other safety trainings.
The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) released a statement responding to concerns regarding the language of the law and affirmed that it is intended to apply only to child care centers. IDEC is working with the sponsor of the legislation to address the concerns before the effective date of January 2027. Read IDEC’s statement here.
Take action: support Early Child Programs at the federal level
As Congress continues discussions on funding priorities, it is crucial that they understand the importance of funding early childhood programs.
With members of Congress returning to their districts, now is an important time to make your voice heard. We encourage you to reach out, meet with your elected officials, and urge them to prioritize funding for early learning and care programs.
Find your members of Congress here and access resources on how to engage with them with this toolkit from the First Five Years Fund.
Take action to protect head start
On August 7, 2026, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Head Start.
This proposed rulemaking, officially known as “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs,” intends to decrease the requirements of current Head Start Program Performance Standards. The proposal, if implemented, would replace existing standards with a much shorter set of federal regulations that impact almost every aspect of the program, including health and safety, staffing, eligibility, and governance. Read more about the proposed changes.
The public can provide comments on the proposed rule, which is open now until October 6, 2026. For resources on how to take action and submit comments, visit Illinois’ Head Start Association’s call to action.
Training Opportunities in Collaboration with The Center: Early Childhood Professional Learning
- Tuesday, September 16 — Defining an Early Childhood Multi-Tiered System of Supports Framework
- Wednesday, September 23 — Trauma-Informed Practices for Multilingual Learners and Dual-Identified Children
View The Center’s Training Calendar
WeConnect
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 the resources you need.
- Member Directory: Get in touch with other collaboration members.
Check your spam folder if you have not received a confirmation email.
On-Demand Learning
Partner Plan Act’s on-demand learning provides Gateway-accredited online courses free of charge to collaboration members, early childhood advocates, and community members.
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 collaborations. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests for individual programs.