Early Childhood Coalition seeking solutions to child care shortage

The Cook County Early Childhood Coalition is a group of community members—professionals and volunteers—who are working to support all children from birth to six years old. The CCECC, or “4C” group, is involved with seeing that preschoolers receive the necessary health screenings, with early childhood and parenting classes and more. A major focus of the CCECC at this time is the need for daycare in Cook County.

The CCECC is working with an organization called First Childrens Finance. Through the FCF Rural Child Care Innovation Program, community surveys have been conducted. A December 2021 survey confirmed what many involved in child care already know–there is a definite lack of child care.

The childhood coalition is hosting an online event on Monday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. called a Community Town Hall: Child Care Solutions for Cook County.  The group would like anyone interested in the child care situation in Cook County to take part.

There will be a brief presentation and a brainstorming session will follow. Any and all ideas can be brought forward in the meeting. The hope is that this conversation, along with the other work of the CCECC, will lead to an action plan to solve the challenge of limited daycare options for families.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke to Cook County Early Childhood Coalition member Bill Hanson about the coalition and the upcoming event. Here is their conversation.

Click here for a link to join the Community Town Hall: Child Care Solutions for Cook County. 

Rhonda Silence March 11, 2022