- 800.548.5563
- southernillinoiscoalition@gmail.com
- 700 Logan College Rd, Carterville, IL 62918
Coalitions can measure their impact in a variety of ways. One of the most commonly used measurements is data. The Coalition collects, analyzes, and shares data each year as evidence of the success of many of its efforts. In addition to data, the Coalition’s projects and initiatives showcase how it addresses needs and its capacity to achieve results. Stakeholder participation and engagement in those initiatives illustrate their importance and the Coaltiion’s ability to mobilize and engage the broader community. Partnerships demonstrate credibility and effectiveness, and media coverage is a way to showcase the coalition’s visibility and its role in shaping public awareness. A sampling of some of these methods can be found below.
over
Finally hitting our stride following the pandemic, the Coalition conitnued to see tremendous growth during FY 24. We exceed our goals in almost every priority area expanding our reach into 3 additional counties to better align with Birth to Five. Illinois.
Just under 50 members attended the annual meeting and provided valuable input into how we can move forward better utilizing existing resources and participating in a brainstorming session, identifying additional resources to support the Coalition’s continued growth.
The report to the left is for FY 23. The FY 24 final report will be posted when available.
Birth to Five Illinois: Coalition members had a strong role in helping to launch Birth to Five Illinois in southern Illinois. The Coalition’s volunteer Coordinator acted as the Area Coordinator for its launch helping po promote its value and recruit Council members. The Coalition is well represented with six members serving on the area Councils. B25 Regional Managers attend the Coalition’s Governance Meetings to keep Coalition members informed of their work and a crosswalk has been completed between the Coalition’s priorities and the Birth to Five region’s Action Plans.
Community Children’s Cabinets:
The Carbondale Community Cabinet for Children and Youth and the Johnson County Cabinet for Children and Youth were both launched in FY 23 are two examples of places where the Coalition utilized its expertise in collective impact work to help accelerate efforts at local levels.
The Carbondale Community Cabinet is now meeting once per month and is focusing on three priorities. They include early childhood, access and youth voice/ leadership.
In Johnson County, the Coalition assisted the already successful Johnson County Health and Safety Committee to expand to include an early childhood focus. This group meets quarterly and the community now has a cradle to career focus.
It is important to note that Eldorado also has a Children’s Cabinet under the leadership of Dr. Matt Buckman, the Mayor and the School Superintendent . The Coalition did not have a role in its inception but considers them an important partner in our work. For more information contact Dr. Buckman at the Stress and Trauma Treatment Center.
In FY 24, the Coalition partnered with the Southern Illinois Community Foundation and Walker Borum Foundation to launch the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Working with over 20 community agencies and individuals the group formed Read SI to organize, fundraise, promote, and enroll children in this important initiative. Launched in July 9, 2024 the program enrolled more children in the first day, than was projected in the first year. As of September 1st, over 6,000 children have been enrolled in the Imagination Library and are receiving a free book each month in the mail.
School Readiness means children possess the skills, knowledge, and social-emotional development necessary for school, later learning, and life
In collaboration with the region’s early childhood educators and kindergarten teachers, members of the School Readiness Action Team created a comprehensive Kindergarten Readiness checklist. In addition, the Coalition assembled a group of Kindergarten “ experts” to assist Action Team members in their work.
In August 2023, the Coalition launched the Southern Illinois KinderClub a regional initiative designed to connect teachers and families with the resources, activity ideas, and tips to promote school readiness. Each month from September through May, members receive a family activity calendar, special family newsletter that better explains each readiness indicator and a teacher newsletter. In addition, kinderclub members receive special invitations to professional development events and training. If you are interested in joining kinderlub CLICK HERE.
In response to the interests and needs of its members, the Screening Collaborative expanded it work to facilitate a community practice before every Screening Collaborative meeting. The Community of Practice is open to all early childhood professionals. Over 85 early childhood professionals have participated in the community of practice.
With grant funds from Birth to Five Illinois and in partnership with CCR&R, the Coalition was able to expand its screening efforts by hiring a consultant to help child care centers “reboot” their screening efforts,” increasing the number o child care centers actively doing screening by 60%. In 2023, a total of 2263 children were screened using the ASQ-online system. This represents a 73.6% increase from the previous year.
Over 5319 (28.26%) children ages 0-5 yrs of age have been documented as screened in the region. The Coalition is continuing to work with the medical community to find ways to harness their data to make our reporting more complete.
The Coalition’s Connect 4 Success Family Resource Network was successfully launched in October 2022.
The purpose of the network is to provide support, training, and resources to individuals that act as Family
Navigators in their jobs, connecting families to essential resources. 123 professionals from across the region participated in two network meetings during Fy 23. The Strong Families Action also worked to develop a comprehensive email database so the Coalition can serve as a communications hub for the region and completed a review of the sifamilies website and social media account for effectiveness and possible improvements.
Through our family outreach efforts SIFamilies Connect we were able to connect thousands of families with information and resources.
After an application and selection process facilitated by members of the Coalition’s Workforce Action Team, nine Early Childhood Ambassadors were chosen to share their personal experiences about the value of choosing early childhood as a profession.
Be a Changemaker for Children Video segments were produced in the Spring with airing on a variety of media outlets beginning in mid-May.
An official launch celebration ” at the Thrillbillies stadium in June where the public viewed the segments on the Big Screen.
EARLY LEARNING MATTERS provides the framework for the Coalition’s initiatives/ activities designed to promote access to high quality early childhood programs, beneficial to helping children become ready for school. Current Coalition activities include:
Promoting, participating and providing support to community Child Find events designed to connect children withhigh-quality programs
Current Coalition activities include a county-specific brochure that identifies early learning options, and dissemination of ExceleRate materials to assist families in making informed choices. Coordinated postcards are also available for distribution.
