Women to Women Fall Forum Provides a Look at New Illinois Department of Early Childhood

BLOOMINGTON, IL – A public forum focusing on changes on the horizon for Illinois’ early childhood agencies and caregivers will be hosted by the Women to Women Giving Circle Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the ISU Alumni Center, 1101 N. Main St., Normal. The forum is free and open to the public.

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC), a new state agency, will unite the majority of early childhood services into one place, making it easier for families to access critical services for stronger coordination between the various early childhood programs and services provided by the state.

“A Look at Illinois’ New Department of Early Childhood” will run from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and will examine the changes occurring in early education in the state and what it means for early childhood programs locally.

Panelists will be:

• Sarah Shields, Local Interagency Council Coordinator of Child and Family Connections of Central Illinois #16 (Livingston & McLean Counties), discussing Early Intervention
• Jeff Dobbs, Principal of Bloomington District 87’s Sarah Raymond School of Early Education, and Debra Honeggar, Early Learning Program/Curriculum & Instruction Director of Pontiac School District 429, discussing Preschool for All
• Debra T. Thomas, Director/Owner of Debra T. Thomas Learning Center in Bloomington, discussing Child Care Assistance Programs
• Melissa Breeden, Regional Council Manager for Birth to Five Illinois: Region 17, discussing Birth to Five Illinois

Carol Weisheit, with Birth to Five Illinois: Region 17, will moderate the panel discussion. A question and answer session will follow the panel discussion.

Registration is not required, but appreciated, to help us plan for the event. Please register online at https://bit.ly/W2WFallForum.

About the Women to Women Giving Circle
Women to Women is a program and funding arm administered by Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, working to expand philanthropy among women in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan counties. Its goals are to support programs that increase life skills, encourage healthy development and educate local women and children, to encourage women’s philanthropy and to educate the community at large about issues affecting women and children. Since its founding in 2009, Women to Women has awarded nearly $530,000 in funding to local organizations for programs that support women and children. More information is available at www.ilprairiecf.org/women-to-women.

About Illinois Prairie Community Foundation
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, now in its 26th year, encourages and facilitates philanthropy in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan counties by connecting donors who care with causes that matter to them. The Foundation manages funds including endowments and donor advised, fiscal sponsorship and scholarship funds. More information is available at www.ilprairiecf.org.

Community Partners for Illinois Prairie Community Foundation are: The Drake Zimmerman Group, Brandt Group of Companies, Cox & Fulk, Donald Heinold CPA, Fox & Hounds Salon & Spa, Heartland Bank & Trust, Little Jewels Learning Center, Northern Trust, PIP, Renaissance Wealth Management BN, Shirk Family Foundation, Striegel Knobloch & Co., Tarvin Culligan, Westminster Village and WGLT.

Contact
Michele Evans | Grants & Communications Director | 309-662-4477