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Raising Our Voices: Standing Our Ground & Advancing Policy

October 14, 2026

12:00 PM-1:00 PM

Join us as we discuss federal and state policy priorities affecting expecting families, infants, and toddlers. Our first panel will explore what proposed changes to Head Start could mean for maternal health, home visiting, mental health, and infant and toddler childcare, including implications for the quality, consistency, and accessibility of these critical services. Our second panel will turn to Illinois and the state budget priorities that can strengthen support for young children and families, with a focus on childcare assistance, early intervention, home visiting, and other essential programs and systems.

Registration Questions

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* First name

* Last name

* Email address

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Home Zip Code

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Organization (if applicable)

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What is your race or ethnicity?

We ask about race and ethnicity as part of our commitment to engage Black and Brown members and ensure we are both representative and proximate in how we work to close the opportunity gap for our earliest learners.

Please select all that apply.

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American Indian/Native American/Indigenous/First Nation/Alaskan Native
Middle Eastern/Arab American/Southwest Asian/North African (SWANA)
White/Caucasian/European American
Black/African American
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Polynesian
East Asian/East Asian American
Southeast Asian / South Asian American
Latino(a)(x)/Hispanic/Latin American
Prefer Not to Answer
Other

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What is your role? Select all that apply

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Parent/Caregiver (Child Age 2 or Younger)
Parent/Caregiver (Child Age 3 or Older)
Center-Based Early Childhood Educator or Provider
Family/Home-Based Early Childhood Educator or Provider
Early Intervention Provider or Service Coordinator
Home Visiting Professional
Doula, Midwife (non-nurse), or Lactation Support Professional
Physician, Nurse, or Other Health Care Provider
Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant or Other Mental Health Clinician
Post-Secondary Education Faculty or Staff
Advocacy Professional or Lobbyist
Government Employee
Elected Official
Philanthropic Partner
Community Member
Student
Other

What do you most hope to see for our children in Illinois?

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How did you hear about this event?

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Raising Illinois Newsletter Email
Raising Illinois Family Leader
Social Media
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Raising Illinois is a member-driven initiative powered by Start Early,

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