State board of education looking for new providers in preschool ‘deserts’

State board of education looking for new providers in preschool ‘deserts’

By PETER HANCOCK
Capitol News Illinois
phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD – Even though Gov. JB Pritzker has yet to sign the budget bill lawmakers just passed, the Illinois State Board of Education is seeking applicants for some of the new money contained in that bill.

ISBE is looking for new providers to offer preschool programs in areas of the state designated as “preschool deserts,” with the goal of creating 5,000 new preschool slots in the upcoming school year.

The $75 million in new funding available for new preschool slots this year is part of Pritzker’s $250 million “Smart Start Illinois” initiative, a four-year effort that seeks to make early childhood day care and preschool available and affordable to every family in the state who needs it.

That will bring the state’s total funding for early childhood block grants to just over $673 million.

“We are wanting to make sure that every community is aware that these grants are available,” State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders said in a recent interview. “We want to make sure that school districts know. We want to make sure that day care centers, religious organizations, community-based organizations – that anybody that might serve children in pre-K opportunities knows about these opportunities and can apply.”

ISBE defines a preschool desert as an area where there is an insufficient number of publicly funded slots to serve at least 80 percent of 3- and 4-year-old children from low-income families. 

“And you find them everywhere, from Belvedere to Springfield to Shawnee, all the way down in southern Illinois,” Sanders said.

The agency has identified 196 areas – including district regions, counties and ZIP codes – in  the state that meet that definition. Each has a gap of 15 or more seats. Of those, 108 districts show a 100 percent need, meaning there are as many needed seats as there are priority eligible children. Those areas have a combined 5,100 needed seats.

The grants will fund the creation of new programs as well as the expansion of existing programs with priority being given to applicants who serve children in preschool deserts outside the city of Chicago, which has a separate appropriation for early childhood programs.

The grants provide funding for three programs:

Preschool for All, which is 2.5 hours per day of preschool for 3-5-year-olds with licensed teachers and a standards-aligned curriculum.
Preschool for All Expansion, which offers five hours of preschool per day along with physical and mental health services for 3-5-year-olds in the highest need communities.
Prevention Initiative, which offers child development and family support services for expectant parents and families with children from birth to age 3 who are at risk of academic challenges.

ISBE has developed a website that offers information about the grant programs and technical assistance for potential applicants. Applications are open to public entities as well as private nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Applications are due no later than 4 p.m. on June 14.

 

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.

Leave a Comment





Local News

CRR_NH

Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound October 2, 2024

Spread the love

Spread the love

Owners of Magical Keys Institute of Music are joined by Palos Hills officials at the grand opening on Sept. 26. Taking part in the festivities were (from left) Kasia Szczech-Dlugosz, Bernadette Szczech, mother of the sisters; Mayor Jerry Bennett, Stan Szczech, father of the sisters; Ald. Donna O'Connell (5th), Ruby, the Palos Hills mascot, and Karolina Szczech. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

A Symphony of Dreams: Sisters open music school in Palos Hills

Spread the love

Spread the loveTwo sisters are aiming to bring the power of music to the southwest suburbs. Kasia Szczech-Dlugosz and her younger sister, Karolina Szczech, opened the Magical Keys Institute of Music at 7840 W. 103rd St., Palos Hills, about three weeks ago. They celebrated with a grand opening on Thursday, Sept. 26, to greet the…

Palos School District 118 staffers celebrate Palos East Elementary being named a Blue Ribbon School. (Supplied photo)

Palos East Elementary named National Blue Ribbon School 

Spread the love

Spread the lovePalos East Elementary School in Palos Consolidated School District 118 has been named a National Blue Ribbon School award winner by the U.S. Department of Education. U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, made the announcement on September 23 that Palos East Elementary has been named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School. Schools are…

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is seeking a third term. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Pekau formally announces re-election bid and names slate

Spread the love

Spread the loveEven though he announced his intentions of running for another term in 2023, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau made a formal announcement on Sept. 30. He also announced his slate of trustees and clerk for the April 1 election at a dinner following his golf outing for veterans at Silver Lake Country Club.…

regional biz golden shoes

Palos Heights approves façade grant for Golden Shoes

Spread the love

Spread the lovePalos Heights aldermen were busy last month approving payments for road projects and demolition as well as a façade improvement. On September 17, council members approved a $206,939 payment to Simpson Construction for demolition needed for the pool improvement project. Additionally, a request was approved to purchase required Illinois Department of Public Health…

Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church is proudly celebrating 115 years as a parish and 50 years residing in the Palos Hills community. (Supplied photos)

Honoring Faith and Tradition: Saints Constantine & Helen Church Celebrates 115 Years

Spread the love

Spread the loveA spiritual and social center to meet, practice, and preserve the Orthodox religion and Greek culture, Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church is proudly celebrating 115 years as a parish and 50 years in the Palos Hills community. “When a community of believers comes together in faith and the love of Christ,…

Morgan Lietz, 17, of Crestwood, and her father, Dan at the Community High School District 218 September board meeting where Morgan was recogonized for her efforts promoting the importance of organ donation.

A Legacy of Compassion: How One Family’s Fight for Organ Donation Continues After Tragedy

Spread the love

Spread the loveVikki Tulcus devoted her life to helping others as an advocate for organ donation, touching countless lives.  As fate would have it, Tulcus became someone in desperate need of a donor.  Her story is one of compassion, dedication and tragedy.  Diagnosed with Wegener’s Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease, Tulcus faced her own need…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Countryside Welcomes Revel Supper Club: A Fresh Start for La Grange Venue

Spread the love

Spread the loveThe former Tavern On La Grange, a nightspot that shut down earlier this year in Countryside, is being reborn as Revel Supper Club. Renovations are underway throughout the building at 5403 S. La Grange Road, with plans to open the new restaurant and entertainment venue by November. Jeff Eaton, manager of Revel Supper…

Orland Park Public Library's Community Engagement Manager Sarah Kleiva with the blanket donation box for the Pathlights blanket drive at the library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. (Supplied photo)

Orland Park Library Fall Blanket Drive Aims To Keep Seniors Warm

Spread the love

Spread the loveAs the temperatures begin to drop, the Orland Park Public Library is helping to spread warmth to senior citizens in need. The Orland Park Public Library has partnered with Pathlights, a nonprofit organization that serves older adults, for a fall blanket drive. “As the cooler months approach, it’s heartwarming to see our community…

The Fire's Hugo Cuypers (right) and Toronto's Deybi Flores follow the ball in a Sept. 28 battle. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Pro soccer report: Fire eliminated from MLS playoffs again

Spread the love

Spread the loveThe Chicago Fire’s chances for the playoffs officially ended at SeatGeek stadium. With a 1-1 tie with Toronto FC on Sept. 28 in front of an announced crowd of 16,097 in Bridgeview, the Fire (7-16-9) have been eliminated from the Major League Soccer postseason picture for the 11th time in the past 12…

Neighbors

CRR_NH

Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound October 2, 2024

Spread the love

Spread the love

Owners of Magical Keys Institute of Music are joined by Palos Hills officials at the grand opening on Sept. 26. Taking part in the festivities were (from left) Kasia Szczech-Dlugosz, Bernadette Szczech, mother of the sisters; Mayor Jerry Bennett, Stan Szczech, father of the sisters; Ald. Donna O'Connell (5th), Ruby, the Palos Hills mascot, and Karolina Szczech. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

A Symphony of Dreams: Sisters open music school in Palos Hills

Spread the love

Spread the loveTwo sisters are aiming to bring the power of music to the southwest suburbs. Kasia Szczech-Dlugosz and her younger sister, Karolina Szczech, opened the Magical Keys Institute of Music at 7840 W. 103rd St., Palos Hills, about three weeks ago. They celebrated with a grand opening on Thursday, Sept. 26, to greet the…

Palos School District 118 staffers celebrate Palos East Elementary being named a Blue Ribbon School. (Supplied photo)

Palos East Elementary named National Blue Ribbon School 

Spread the love

Spread the lovePalos East Elementary School in Palos Consolidated School District 118 has been named a National Blue Ribbon School award winner by the U.S. Department of Education. U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, made the announcement on September 23 that Palos East Elementary has been named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School. Schools are…

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is seeking a third term. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Pekau formally announces re-election bid and names slate

Spread the love

Spread the loveEven though he announced his intentions of running for another term in 2023, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau made a formal announcement on Sept. 30. He also announced his slate of trustees and clerk for the April 1 election at a dinner following his golf outing for veterans at Silver Lake Country Club.…

regional biz golden shoes

Palos Heights approves façade grant for Golden Shoes

Spread the love

Spread the lovePalos Heights aldermen were busy last month approving payments for road projects and demolition as well as a façade improvement. On September 17, council members approved a $206,939 payment to Simpson Construction for demolition needed for the pool improvement project. Additionally, a request was approved to purchase required Illinois Department of Public Health…

Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church is proudly celebrating 115 years as a parish and 50 years residing in the Palos Hills community. (Supplied photos)

Honoring Faith and Tradition: Saints Constantine & Helen Church Celebrates 115 Years

Spread the love

Spread the loveA spiritual and social center to meet, practice, and preserve the Orthodox religion and Greek culture, Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church is proudly celebrating 115 years as a parish and 50 years in the Palos Hills community. “When a community of believers comes together in faith and the love of Christ,…

Morgan Lietz, 17, of Crestwood, and her father, Dan at the Community High School District 218 September board meeting where Morgan was recogonized for her efforts promoting the importance of organ donation.

A Legacy of Compassion: How One Family’s Fight for Organ Donation Continues After Tragedy

Spread the love

Spread the loveVikki Tulcus devoted her life to helping others as an advocate for organ donation, touching countless lives.  As fate would have it, Tulcus became someone in desperate need of a donor.  Her story is one of compassion, dedication and tragedy.  Diagnosed with Wegener’s Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease, Tulcus faced her own need…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Countryside Welcomes Revel Supper Club: A Fresh Start for La Grange Venue

Spread the love

Spread the loveThe former Tavern On La Grange, a nightspot that shut down earlier this year in Countryside, is being reborn as Revel Supper Club. Renovations are underway throughout the building at 5403 S. La Grange Road, with plans to open the new restaurant and entertainment venue by November. Jeff Eaton, manager of Revel Supper…

Orland Park Public Library's Community Engagement Manager Sarah Kleiva with the blanket donation box for the Pathlights blanket drive at the library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. (Supplied photo)

Orland Park Library Fall Blanket Drive Aims To Keep Seniors Warm

Spread the love

Spread the loveAs the temperatures begin to drop, the Orland Park Public Library is helping to spread warmth to senior citizens in need. The Orland Park Public Library has partnered with Pathlights, a nonprofit organization that serves older adults, for a fall blanket drive. “As the cooler months approach, it’s heartwarming to see our community…

The Fire's Hugo Cuypers (right) and Toronto's Deybi Flores follow the ball in a Sept. 28 battle. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Pro soccer report: Fire eliminated from MLS playoffs again

Spread the love

Spread the loveThe Chicago Fire’s chances for the playoffs officially ended at SeatGeek stadium. With a 1-1 tie with Toronto FC on Sept. 28 in front of an announced crowd of 16,097 in Bridgeview, the Fire (7-16-9) have been eliminated from the Major League Soccer postseason picture for the 11th time in the past 12…