Parents in Illinois won BIG! The Illinois Early Learning Council passed the parent leaders’ recommendations for a new Family Engagement Framework, which includes the creation of a Family Advisory Committee of parent leaders to provide authentic voice, input and feedback in early learning policymaking.

The recommendations also increase parent representation on the Illinois Early Learning Council to 20% of its members. And, the recommendations call for a change in the mission of the Illinois Early Learning Council to embrace parent engagement and voice. This new framework is on par with some of the most far-reaching policies on family engagement in early learning systems across the nation.

Congrats to POWER-PAC and all of the other COFI-trained parent leaders across Illinois. And, thanks to our many partners in this effort including those at the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development, the Illinois State Board of Education, SPARK in Aurora, Illinois Action for Children and many others!

“This is so important because it will bring the voice of parents and families to the early learning table.” -Gloria Harris, POWER-PAC Parent Leader and Co-Chair of the Early Learning Committee

See the Family Engagement Framework here.