•July 6, 2022•
Birth to Five Illinois, a new statewide regional and community system comprised of state and local staff and Councils, hired eight new Regional Council Managers charged with operationalizing equity, particularly racial equity, in early childhood. According to the Illinois Commission on Early Childhood Education and Care Funding report primer, “ Illinois can lead the nation in programs serving children from birth through age five by embracing principles of community ownership, racial equity, and parent voice.” These eight new Regional Council Managers will joined us on June 13, 2022, following the May 2022 onboarding of 17 Regional Council Managers: Region 1-B-B Tiffany Draine, West Cook County; Region 1-B-C Ashonti Jackson, South Cook County; Region 11 Tammy Helm, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie, Shelby; Region 24 Sharkisha Jones, Grundy & Kendall Counties; Region 33 Roy Van Meter, Henderson, Knox, Mercer & Warren Counties; Region 35 Becky Eager Marshall, LaSalle & Putnam Counties; Region 40 Keppen Clanton, Calhoun, Greene, Jersey & Macoupin Counties; Region 54 Tammy Pollitt, Vermilion County.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.