Happy Birthday IDEC

Happy Birthday IDEC

Happy Birthday IDEC! And congratulations to all the public servants and advocates who worked over several years and decades to turn the dream of an early childhood state agency into a reality. We did it! Now the state has a home for early childhood services used by families. IDEC is for families and the educators who keep children safe and loved while building their brain power in the years children learn the most. And IDEC is for the early childhood providers and school leaders who make it all happen.

What makes this milestone so special?

Today, 340 dedicated public servants join IDEC for a total staff of 384 all united to serve families with young children in Illinois more equitably, more efficiently, and with increased focus on learning and growth outcomes.

Today, early childhood programs sit under the roof of our agency that will be solely responsible and accountable for their love and attention.

For decades the research and data have been clear: we learn the most in the earliest years of life. 90% of the brain is developed by age 5! What we experience in our first three years shapes our executive function and ability to learn, determining our trajectory for the future.

This is why early childhood educators train to cultivate numerous daily caring experiences that facilitate brain (and heart) growth and development because having a safe, positive environment early has a lasting impact.

Early Childhood educators, home visitors, Early Intervention providers working in homes, child care centers, preschools, and school settings train and take classes to ensure the physical and educational environment promotes children's learning and development. And in these volatile times with the very real threat of family separation looming over our neighborhoods and communities alongside potential catastrophic cuts to our social safety net, our responsibility, commitment and resolve takes even greater heart work-from brain builders to systems leaders.

To the public servants at IDEC, whether it is your first day or 618th day, your work matters more than ever before. Thank you for showing up and leaning in. Whether your job is a licensing representative or a legal aid, in customer service or fiscal services or human resources, every day you are building a stronger system to ensure families in Illinois have what they need to not just survive, but to thrive.

To the advocates and elected officials, congratulations! Thank you for turning this idea into reality. There is much work ahead, but that first step was the most crucial and your contributions to the cause will be felt for decades to come by thousands of Illinois' children.

Finally, to the parents, moms, dads, buscias and abuelas, guardians and caregivers, we are here to honor your work and make it easier for you to raise a child in the best state in the nation.

Sincerely,

Teresa Ramos
Secretary, IL Department of Early Childhood