Helping families with young children, birth to age 8, find quality care,
early learning, and support so every child can thrive.
How we do it
Increase Access
We bring together the organizations that serve young families so childcare, preschool, home visiting, and developmental screenings are easier to find and better matched to families’ budgets, languages, and schedules.
Build Awareness
We work with schools, libraries, providers, and faith communities to connect families to resources, so they hear about free and low-cost programs from people they already trust, before they hit a crisis point.
Strenghthen Coordination
We bring early childhood providers to one table to close service gaps, cut down on duplication, and turn referrals into warm handoffs, so no family has to tell their story over and over to get help.
We started by listening
In 2026, 135 families across the Northwest suburbs told us what makes raising young children hard. Their answers shape every resource we build. This work was made possible by a Birth to Five Illinois Planning Grant.
39% say affording childcare is their biggest challenge
1 in 3 families can't fully access affordable childcare
Over 50% speak a language other than English at home
Resources for families and caregivers
Where to Turn Guide
Where to Turn guide shares free and low-cost help for families
with young children (birth to age 8) in Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Wheeling, and Hoffman Estates. Resources for
childcare and preschool, health coverage, mental health support, child development, and family fun.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five.
More information coming soon.
Are you an early childhood provider?
ELAT brings together childcare centers, schools, health providers, libraries, and community organizations working for young children in the Northwest suburbs. Meeting are virtually quaterly. We meet virtually each quarter. To join us, contact Jesse Rojo at jrojo@upcoalition.org