Holding Steady during Uncertain Times: Practical Resources for Families and Educators

Yet it is precisely in these moments that leadership and solidarity matter most. Families and educators deserve clarity, steadiness, and a reminder that they are not alone. To support that, we’ve gathered a set of practical, trusted resources for families, early childhood providers, and community members across Illinois and Chicago. Our goal is to offer support, relief, and guidance—helping each of us move forward with confidence, compassion, and a shared sense of purpose. 

Practical Supports for Families and Providers

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services recently updated their guidance for child care programs which can be found on their website. It includes templates for Emergency Family Plans and Written Plans of Action. These are straightforward documents that families and programs can complete together, mapping out contacts, care arrangements, and who can step in if something changes suddenly. These tools are meant to help providers partner with families so that critical decisions don’t have to be made in moments of fear or confusion. 

In this moment when many are facing uncertainty amidst rapid societal changes, having trusted guidance can make navigating these shifts more manageable. Families can find support from the Illinois Department of Human Services and local community organizations in this collection of resources. The site covers recent immigration policy changes, what to do if a loved one has been detained, how to prepare for potential encounters with law enforcement, and creating Family Emergency Plans. 

The hub also provides actionable resources, including a small, wallet-sized card to communicate your rights, a flyer to display your rights at home, and the Detained Loved One Form to request support if someone is in detention. For urgent guidance, the Family Support Network Hotline connects callers with immediate assistance for immigration-related needs in multiple languages. Together, these resources help families prepare, respond, and access support so they can protect their loved ones and navigate uncertainty with more confidence. 

Beyond legal and emergency guidance, the Greater Chicago Food Depository offers food assistance across the Chicago region. They provide a searchable map of food pantries and meal programs. They can be relied upon as a way to find free, local food support when stretching groceries another week isn’t possible.  

What’s Ahead for Illinois Early Childhood Programs

Last year, the Illinois General Assembly created a new Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) to bring early learning and family programs under one roof. In December 2024, Governor Pritzker appointed Dr. Teresa Ramos, an Erikson Executive Fellow, as the first Secretary. The department is expected to launch fully by July 1, 2026. 

This isn’t just a bureaucratic shift. Their goal is a department-level redesign that makes services more equitable, easier to navigate, and more responsive to what families truly need. And as this system is still taking shape, your voice, alongside others in your community, holds real influence over how these programs grow. 

The Transition Advisory Committee (TAC) has been convened to guide the department’s transition. Chaired by Erikson alum Bela Moté, the committee’s role is to listen carefully to families, educators, and community organizations and translate their perspectives into a set of official recommendations by December 31, 2025. 

IDEC also offers bi-monthly listening sessions and public updates, giving you concrete ways to share experiences, highlight barriers, and help shape solutions. By speaking up, you can help shape a system that reflects the real experiences and needs of families, contributing your knowledge to make programs stronger, more responsive, and better equipped to provide quality care for every child. 

Although these times are difficult and unpredictable, we hope these resources provide practical ways to protect, support, and care for your loved ones and community.