Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Signs Proclamation Designating April Month of The Young Child
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CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has officially declared April as the Month of the Young Child in the city. This proclamation, issued today, aims to bring attention to the importance of early childhood education and celebrate the youngest members of the community.

The Chicago Early Learning (CEL) program, which is a collaboration between the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) Child Services Division and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Office of Early Childhood, will be leading various activities throughout the month to promote early learning and literacy.

Rosario Hernandez, Senior Policy Analyst at the Latino Policy Forum, emphasized the significance of putting children at the forefront of decision-making. "The Month of the Young Child serves as a powerful reminder that our youngest voices must be heard and considered in every decision we make," she stated. Hernandez also stressed the importance of advocating for high-quality bilingual early learning opportunities and increased investments in the early childhood system.

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Edna Vidaurre, Regional Council Manager for Region 1-A of Birth to Five Illinois, highlighted a traditional African greeting that symbolizes the value placed on children's well-being. "It is a time for community members and elected officials to ask each other 'How are the Children?' and hope for a response of 'All children are well'," she explained. Vidaurre encouraged everyone to join in celebrating and committing to meeting the needs of Chicago's children, families, and providers.

The full text of Mayor Johnson's proclamation recognizes that a child's first years are crucial for brain development and lays the foundation for future learning. It also acknowledges that access to affordable and high-quality early care supports working families, promotes equity, and strengthens communities.

Furthermore, it acknowledges that educators play an essential role in delivering high-quality care but often lack adequate compensation, training, and support. The proclamation calls for increased funding structures to retain a well-qualified workforce and maintain low child-to-educator ratios.

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In light of this proclamation, Mayor Johnson has declared the week of April 7-11 as the "Week of the Young Child" and will be launching the Chicago Early Learning Application on April 8th. This application will serve as a vital tool for families to access high-quality early learning opportunities across the city.

The city will also be celebrating Dia de los Ninos on April 30th, recognizing and uplifting the cultural diversity of Chicago's children. This celebration reaffirms the city's commitment to providing equitable and high-quality early childhood education for all children.

As Mayor Johnson stated in his proclamation, "the Month of the Young Child is a time to honor our youngest learners and recognize those who care for them." With this declaration, Chicago is taking a step towards prioritizing early childhood education and ensuring that all children have access to quality learning opportunities.

Filed Under: Government, City

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