States nationwide have experienced significant demographic shifts in the past decade. Young children are more culturally and linguistically diverse, and many come from immigrant families. In fact, there are more than 16 million children living in America's immigrant families - the vast majority are U.S. citizens who were born in the United States. Increasing participation in early childhood programs for underrepresented and special populations is a priority for many ECACs. What strategies are states using to increase overall access to programs and to improve the quality of services for culturally and linguistically diverse children and families? How are states addressing the challenges faced by children in immigrant families in accessing early care and education services?

Join a webinar to learn more about the demographic shifts occurring in states and what policies can support improved access and overall quality improvement for children of immigrants and ELLs. Hear how ECACs can address the needs of ELLs and children of Immigrants and learn examples of what ECACs are doing in this area.

 

Resources:  

• Presentation
   
• Written by Hannah Matthews and Danielle Ewen.   Early Education Programs and Children of Immigrants: Learning Each Other's Language.  This paper was written for the Urban Institute's roundtable on Young Children in Immigrant Families and the Path to Educational Success, held on June 28, 2010. It discusses the federal and policy landscape for serving young children of immigrants in early care and education and includes policy recommendations for improving access for immigrant families.
   
• Written by Hannah Matthews.  Support a Diverse and Culturally Competent Workforce.  Ensure the diversity and cultural competence of infant and toddler providers and caregivers in order to meet the needs of the state's children under three and their families.
   
• CLASP DataFinder is a custom, easy-to-use tool developed to provide select demographic information as well as administrative data on programs that affect low-income people and families.
   
• Written by Erika Beltran.  Responding to the Needs of Young Latino Children: State Efforts to Build Comprehensive Early Learning Systems.  Recent federal and state policy developments and investments in early care and education reflect a renewed commitment to improving the shcool readiness and, ultimately, the school success of young children.
   
• Written by Erika Beltran and Sarah Dolan, New Leaders, New Directions: Tools for Advancing an Early Childhood Agenda for the Latino Communty.  As Latino children enter the American school system in increasing numbers, it is imperative that they enter ready to learn and be successful. Unfortunately, this is not currently the case. Young Latino children face many challenges in accessing high-quality early care and education (ECE) programs.
   
• Written by Patricia Foxen, America’s Future: Latino Child Well-Being in Numbers and Trends.  This data book offers a comprehensive overview of the state of Latino children by integrating a range of key factors and outcomes in the areas of demography, citizenship, family structure, poverty, health, education, and juvenile justice. It provides an overview of current national and state-level trends for Latino children under age 18 relative to non-Hispanic White and Black children, documenting both regional variations and changing trends since the year 2000.
   
• NCLR, Census 2010: Hispanics in the U.S.
   
• Click here to read the Proposed Early Childhood Bilingual/English as a Second Language Staff Qualifications in Illinois.
   
• RFP Recommendations Summary IELC Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Committee.  The Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Committee recommends the following additions to the current Preschool for All Children Request for Proposals.  These recommendations were discussed with Kay Henderson and members of her staff in May, and were later submitted to ISBE in written form in August.
   
• Click here to read the Illinois Early Learning Council Joint Workforce Development/Cultural & Linguistic Diversity Work Group Recommendations.
   
• Click here to read the RFP recommendations summary.  Recommendations offered on behalf of the Linguistic and Cultural committee for the FY 1- Preschool for all 3-5 Request for Proposals and the infant and toddler committee for the prevention initiative RFP.
   
• Click here to read public comment on proposed rule changes to 228 and 235 of the Illinois Administrative Code.
   
• Click here to read the Illinois office of the governor state advisory council on early childhood education and care application narrative.
   
• Click here to read the Illinois state board of education meeting minutes from June 24, 2010.