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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD
WHEREAS, the first years of a child’s life represent the most rapid period of brain development, laying the foundation for future learning; and
WHEREAS, there are 353,032 children from birth through age five in Cook County, including 139,520 living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level; and
WHEREAS, in Fiscal Year 2024, 42,548 children in Cook County participated in the Child Care Assistance Program; and
WHEREAS, participation in high-quality early childhood education and care programs saves taxpayer dollars, enhances family economic stability, and prepares children to succeed in school, earn higher wages, and lead healthier lives; and
WHEREAS, young children need access to developmentally appropriate, high-quality early childhood education that is affordable and locally available in their communities; and
WHEREAS, access to these programs supports child development and helps parents secure and maintain employment; and
WHEREAS, research shows that investing in high-quality early childhood education provides a significant return on investment through long-term social and economic benefits; and
WHEREAS, working families require an adequate supply of affordable, high-quality child care options; and
WHEREAS, early childhood educators need access to comprehensive support services, including infant and early childhood mental health consultation, partnership with Early Intervention therapists, and resources that enhance quality care; and
WHEREAS, care workers remain undervalued and underpaid, and they deserve fair wages to attract and retain a qualified, stable workforce; and
WHEREAS, the quality of early childhood education depends on the expertise of educators who partner with families to foster strong early learning experiences; and
WHEREAS, current tuition from fee-paying parents and public subsidy rates are typically insufficient to support highly qualified early childhood educators and maintain the low child-to-educator ratios necessary for child health and safety; and
WHEREAS, vital programs such as Head Start are under threat at the federal level, jeopardizing access to essential early learning opportunities for families with low incomes; and
WHEREAS, we commend Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly for creating the new Department of Early Childhood Education through the passage of SB1, which consolidates early childhood services from three agencies to streamline and improve services for families and caregivers; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Cook County recognizes April 5-11 as Week of the Young Child, an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Cook County urges federal, state, and local leaders to prioritize and expand investments in high-quality early childhood education and care to support the well-being of all children and families.
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