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Starting July 1, 2026, the Illinois Department of Early Childhood officially became the lead agency for Child Care Licensing, the Head Start State Collaboration Office Grant, Home Visiting, Early Intervention, the Child Care Assistance Program, Early Childhood Block Grant, and a range of other early childhood support to families, providers and educators.

Should you have any questions related to this transition please reference our Transition FAQ’s. Should you need further support visit our Contact page where you can submit your questions. We are excited to continue this journey with you!

All Our Kids Early Childhood Networks

All Our Kids Early Childhood Networks (AOK Networks) is an initiative to promote healthy pregnancies and the positive growth and development of all children birth to five and their parents/caregivers by assuring a well-coordinated, easily accessible, equitable and just system of services and supports that engages parents as partners in making the system work for them.

AOK Networks use a data-driven approach to understand disparities and root causes of locally identified priority issues. The goal of the initiative is to improve outcomes for children and families through the implementation of evidence-based strategies that promote an effective local early childhood system.

The AOK Networks initiative is a collaborative effort of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood, health departments and other lead agencies representing health, early care and education, human services and other service systems; and local stakeholders who care about the health and well-being of very young children and their parents/caregivers. It is the most comprehensive, long-standing, community-based systems development initiative in the State of Illinois.

AOK Network partners engage in cross-sector, strategic initiatives so that more babies are born healthy, young children are safe, healthy, and developing positively and more children enter kindergarten ready to learn. AOK Networks improve outcomes like these by creating a more connected and coordinated system of services and supports as they address the unique needs, cultures, and strengths of local communities.

Eligibility Requirements of Population Served

This initiative supports system improvement efforts, it is not intended to provide direct services. It enhances the early childhood system of services and supports which in turn will lead to better child and family outcomes within a defined community. Funding is limited to those public or private, not-for-profit community-based agencies, education organizations and individuals within currently funded AOK Network communities that received funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Early Childhood for the implementation of the AOK Networks program.

State and Federal Funding Sources

There is a blending of Federal and State funds that support this initiative. This initiative is funded by Childcare, and Healthy Families appropriations. In addition, the initiative is further supported locally with local revenue and community small grant opportunities.

Links and Resources

 

AOK Networks Program Listing

Revised 07/01/2025

Adams County AOK Network

 

Jasmine Thompson Blum
Adams County Health Department
330 Vermont Street
Quincy, IL 62301
Phone: (217) 222-8440 ext. 1107
Email Jasmine
Adams County's AOK Website
State Local Page
Facebook: Adam's County

 

Cicero/Berwyn AOK Network

 

Linda Rios
Youth Crossroads
5533 W. 25th St.
Cicero, IL 60804
Phone: (708) 484-7400 Ext. 030
Email Linda
Agency's AOK Website
State Local Page: Cicero
Facebook: Cicero

 

Southeast Chicago AOK Network

 

Magnolia Rojas-Banda
Metropolitan Family Services
3062 E. 91st St.
Chicago, IL 60617
Phone: (773) 914-3176
Email Magnolia
State Local Page: Metropolitan

 

DuPage County AOK Network

 

Kate Estrada
DuPage County Health Department
111 N County Farm Rd. Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: 630-221-7322
Email Kate
DuPage County AOK Website
State Local Page: DuPage
Facebook: DuPage

 

Kane County AOK Network

 

Lorena Nunez
Kane County Health Department
1240 North Highland Ave., Suite 24
Aurora, IL  60506
Phone: (630) 444-3098
Email Lorena
State Local Page: Kane County
Kane County's AOK Website
Facebook: Kane County

 

McLean County AOK Network

 

Julie Castle
McLean County Health Department
200 West Front St., Room 500D
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5539
Email Maureen
State Local Page: McLean County

 

Rock Island County AOK Network

 

Jessica Lovera-Matter
EveryChild
524 15th Street
Moline, IL  61265
Phone:  (309) 736-7170 Ext. 110
Email Jessica
Rock Island's AOK Website
State Local Page: Rock Island County
Facebook: Rock Island County

 

NW Illinois AOK Network (Stephenson / Carroll / Jo Daviess Counties)

 

Pamela Williams
Stephenson County Health Department
10 W. Linden St.
Freeport, IL 61302
Phone: (815) 599-8432
Email Pamela
Stephenson County's AOK Website
State Local Page: Stephenson County
Facebook: Stephenson County

 

Tri-County AOK Network (Tazewell, Peoria, and Woodford Counties)

 

Samantha March
Tazewell County Health Department
21306 Illinois Route 9
Tremont, IL 61568-9252
Phone: (309) 929-0266
Email Samantha
State Local Page: Tazewell County
Tazewell County's AOK Website
Facebook: Tazewell County
IRIS

 

Wabash / Edwards Counties AOK Network

 

Steve Atkins
Wabash County Health Department
130 West 7th Street
Mt. Carmel, IL 62863
Phone: (618) 263-3873 ext. 123
Email Steve
State Local Page: Wabash/Edwards County
Facebook: Wabash/Edwards

 

Will County AOK Network

 

Rebecca Anderson
Will County Health Department
501 Ella Ave
Joliet, IL 60433
Phone: (815) 727-8864
Email Rebecca
Will County's AOK Website
State Local Page: Will County

Contact

Questions or Need More Information?

Visit the Illinois Department of Early Childhood contact page.