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Vision, Mission and Values
Together, we are building a stronger and equitable future for families with children in Illinois.
The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) brings early childhood services under one roof. At IDEC we are strengthening a system that supports the delivery of many early childhood services for the rich diversity of families with young children in Illinois. We aim to improve equitable access to all early childhood services for families and improve the supports for educators and providers that serve them in every community across Illinois.
Our Vision
A state where our youngest learners have the opportunity to reach their full potential, every family with young children can access the high-quality education and care they want, and providers and educatiors benefit from a strong system of support.
Our Mission
To make Illinois the best state in the nation to raise a family with young children by creating a simpler, better and fairer early childhood system. IDEC will do that by building a strong statewide operating system that supports educators, providers, and communities to deliver quality services families want and need.
Our Values
Family centered: Listening to families, to understand their experience navigating services and working with them to design program improvements that make early childhood services simpler, better, and fairer.
Equity: More equitable distribution of resources across every corner of Illinois to meet the unique needs of families across the state.
Collaboration: Co-designing program improvements and the policies that support families with young children, to make early childhood services simpler, better, and fairer.
Excellence: Better listening, better communication, better outcomes for children, families, educators and providers of Illinois.