A new state agency launched on Wednesday focused exclusively on early childhood programs and services, reported by Health News Illinois. 

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood will begin with 385 employees, including 340 from transferring agencies, and will assume the responsibility for administering over $4.3 billion in grants and direct services dedicated to supporting children and families across the state.

The agency will administer programs previously housed at the Illinois State Board of Education, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children and Family Services. Those include child care services, home-visiting programs and early intervention services.

The department was legislatively created in 2024, with the stated goal of streamlining services, improving coordination and strengthening early learning systems statewide. Teresa Ramos was previously named secretary of the new agency.

“This launch reflects years of work to build a more connected and effective system for children, families, providers, and communities across the state,” she said in a Wednesday statement.

Along with existing services, officials said the agency will also implement several large-scale new initiatives, specifically those that address workforce and early childhood services.

“As a long-time supporter of early childhood education, today marks a major step forward for Illinois’ youngest learners and the professionals who support them,” Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement.

###