About Illinois Action for Children

Illinois Action for Children is a state and national leader in the early care and education community, distinguished by its "Strong Families, Powerful Communities" approach to child development, Pre-K education, and other family and community supports.

This broad approach to supporting children by supporting families is a proven and effective means to address overarching issues of endemic poverty, which are the root cause of the educational failure of America's poorest children.

What We Do

Illinois Action for Children's outreach and work with low-income, hard-to-reach families, has lead us to research and implement highly effective and innovative programs and advocacy to ensure that early care and education, and other opportunities, are accessible to the children most in need. Highlights from our programs include:

• Public Policy & Advocacy organizing to expand access to child care and early education, and other supports.
• Early Learning Programs to make early education available to young children so they will be ready to succeed when they start school.
• Resource and Referral Program to connect child care providers, parents, and employers with resources such as child care referrals, professional development, health services and community supports.

Learn more about our work in North Lawndale

SPROUT! -- A Summer Food Program Planting the Seeds for for Safe, Active & Empowered Kids -- 2010

The First 40 Years - A History of Illinois Action for Children

Click here to listen to an audio tribute to Illinois Action for Children founder Sylvia Cotton presented by Ira Glass