Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Social
Our children may be returning back to school, but we're not going back to normal. This year in Illinois, families and educators are teaming up to collect our #RightToCare. We demand early childhood care families can afford, access and trust and fair pay to educators that dedicate their lives to our children. Our children may be returning back to school, but we're not going back to normal. This year in Illinois, families and educators are teaming up to collect our #RightToCare. We demand early childhood care families can afford, access and trust and fair pay to educators that dedicate their lives to our children. Our children may be returning back to school, but we're not going back to normal. This year in Illinois, families and educators are teaming up to collect our #RightToCare. We demand early childhood care families can afford, access and trust and fair pay to educators that dedicate their lives to our children. Our children may be returning back to school, but we're not going back to normal. This year in Illinois, families and educators are teaming up to collect our #RightToCare. We demand early childhood care families can afford, access and trust and fair pay.
Story from
Tags:
PREVIOUS
Why ECACE Matters
#AllinforECACE
The Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program is a lifeline for early childhood providers pursuing higher education. It has helped countless early childhood professionals to continue their education without burdensome debt. However, funding for this critical program dropped from $76 million in FY24 to just $5 million in FY25, threatening the future of many aspiring early childhood providers. To ensure ECACE can continue to support Illinois’ early childhood workforce, advocates are asking for a $15 million increase in ECACE funding for FY26.
#AllinforECACE
Read Our Stories
Illinois legislators need to understand that real people are impacted by ECACE funding. WTV is currently collecting stories to highlight the impact of the ECACE scholarship program, this effort will support advocacy for a $15 million increase to the ECACE budget for FY26. Stories make a powerful difference by: * Showing legislators the human impact of ECACE – Personal experiences help policymakers see beyond the numbers and understand how funding decisions affect real people. * Building public awareness and support – When people hear directly from educators, students, and families, they are more likely to take action. * Strengthening advocacy efforts – The more voices we have, the stronger our case for restoring and increasing ECACE funding. By sharing your experience, you are helping protect and expand a program that is essential for Illinois’ early childhood workforce, families, and young learners. Your voice matters—help us tell lawmakers why ECACE funding is a necessary investment in the future of our state.
The ECACE scholarship program has been instrumental in fostering both my personal and professional growth by providing access to the resources and opportunities I needed to develop as an educator. Professionally, the scholarship allowed me to pursue coursework that sharpened my skills in curriculum development, classroom management, and culturally responsive teaching. I’ve been able to apply these skills in real-time, creating engaging, inclusive learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of the children I serve. On a personal level, the ECACE scholarship has instilled in me a greater sense of purpose and determination. As a first-generation college student and a teacher working in an exempt site, the financial support from ECACE alleviated significant stress and allowed me to focus on my academic journey. If this underfunding continues, it could delay the completion of my degree, limit my ability to take on advanced coursework, and slow my progress in becoming a more effective and credentialed early childhood educator. Ultimately, this would hinder my ability to fully serve my students and advance in my career.
As a first-generation college student and a teacher working in an exempt site, the financial support from ECACE alleviated significant stress and allowed me to focus on my academic journey.
Kindall Smith
Takhara Scott
Tiarra Clark
Latasha Morris
Maria Angelica Perez
Liza Kobernik
Leah
Anonymous
Alexis Smith
Amy Bradford
Ask Your Legislators to Support ECACE!
More Ways to Share
Please download and share the resources below and use our #AllinforECACE hashtag on social media.
