We, the Village (WTV) is committed to making Illinois a state where ALL families and early childhood providers and educators have the resources they need to help children succeed. Our work engages with state, federal, and local early childhood challenges that communities are facing. Learn more about our initiatives below:
Advocacy
The goal of our advocacy initiatives is to bring parent and provider voices to the forefront of early childhood education decision-making in the state. Through testimony, letters, and social engagement opportunities, We, the Village aims to make advocacy accessible and meaningful for families and providers.
Workforce
WTV has historically advocated for further investment into Smart Start Workforce Grants and the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship. Our workforce initiatives push for fair compensation, workforce supports, accessible professional development, and long-term public investment in early childhood systems.
Funding
WTV was originally founded at the “Early Childhood Funding Coalition,” a grassroots coalition with the goals of influencing and uplifting Governor Pritzker’s Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding Recommendations. Since the recommendations were published, WTV has advocated for annual state early childhood budget increases and for program and funding design that prioritizes equity, workforce compensation, provider stability, and affordable access for families.
Transparency and Equity
As the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) continues to transition early childhood programs under one roof, WTV supports parent and provider participation in IDEC meetings and decision-making processes to ensure the department reflects the needs and experiences of the communities it serves.
Storytelling
The lived experiences of early childhood community members, parents, and families are the most powerful advocacy tool we have as a coalition. The impact your stories have on lawmakers can help shape life-changing policy and budget decisions. WTV is dedicated to highlighting our members’ stories as the foundation of our work.