Manley Advocates for Improved Early Childhood Education with Birth to Five Illinois

Joliet, Ill. – In an effort to improve necessary services needed to educate our youngest children, State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, joins an ongoing collaboration of educators, state agencies and other legislators to make Will County the leader in early intervention advocacy throughout Illinois.

Rep. Manley meets regularly with Birth to Five Illinois, whose mission is to create a statewide regional infrastructure based on input from families and communities to provide access to high-quality early childhood services. Will County currently provides early intervention services to about 2,300 children and families.

“Research shows that babies achieve critical brain development early on, but especially the first three years of life,” Rep. Manley said. “Providing services to children early not only helps their life-long social and emotional learning, but also offers greater success academically. For some children who face economic challenges or who may have diagnosed or undiagnosed medical conditions, these early intervention services are critical first steps for the rest of their lives.”

Rep. Manley, along with Senator Meg Loughran-Cappel, D-Shorewood, met with the Birth to Five collaboration to discuss topics such as a severe teacher shortage, changes to Department of Children and Family Services rules, and a legislative agenda. Currently services end at age three, causing many children to “age out” before they can be served due to long wait lists. 

“Extending services to age five is one of many legislative avenues we are trying to resolve,” Rep. Manley said. “Some behaviors, especially those resulting from medical conditions, are not manifested or identified by age three.” 

Specialized services may include early childhood education, specialized therapy, (such as speech, occupational therapy, or physical therapy), and family support.

“This is important work that will help every child throughout the State of Illinois, not only now, but for future generations as well,” Rep. Manley said.