Early Childhood

Moms doing activities with kids

The Early Childhood result area focuses on resources and support for families with children ages zero to eight years old to build strong relationships through access to play and learning opportunities. Those in the Early Childhood Work Group spent 2023 taking stock of how the needs of those with young children matched against the programs and resources offered. The DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform presented its Early Childhood research and practitioners agreed with the findings – that parents’ insufficient awareness of resources was of primary concern in West Chicago. Transportation was named a close second as an obstacle to getting and keeping young children and families enrolled in programming.

Kids playing!

With their priorities set, the Early Childhood Work Group has been creatively brainstorming ideas to communicate better with families and to provide transportation assistance. The award of a Bright & Early Grant from the DuPage Foundation will springboard communication and awareness efforts through a series of events throughout West Chicago in early 2024. Short term and long-term solutions to the transportation issue are being created and funds sought. Local, regional and statewide advocacy efforts are also being considered.