Changing Directions: Toward a Comprehensive System of Services for Early Childhood Care and Education.

This paper discusses the nature and availability of early childhood care and education in Illinois and advances recommendations to improve the current system. It argues that current multiple federal, state, and local funding streams, with different eligibility requirements and administrations, divide families and programs into artificial and inappropriate categories, and lead to serious inequalities in quality and comprehensiveness. Despite a recent surge in the number of coordinating bodies, planning initiatives, and service integration efforts, Illinois families still face a maze of programs, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and unconnected services. The following recommendations are offered: (1) the creation of a cabinet-level state department of early childhood services; (2) the creation of a state-level entity within the governor's office with the authority to ensure collaboration of early childhood services across agencies; (3) the development of mechanisms to ensure that early childhood issues of access, quality, and coordination are part of local community planning efforts; (4) the development of an expanded state prekindergarten program to include children from birth through age 5; and (5) the development of a centralized computer information system. (MDM)