About Early Childhood Block Grant Programs
The Early Childhood Block Grant (ECBG) program funds four state initiatives, with the objectives of improving children’s school readiness and outcomes, supporting at-risk families, and providing quality early childhood services. These programs have been implemented across Illinois’ 102 counties and operate within scores of different school districts, community-based organizations, and other entities.

• Preschool for All programs provide early education opportunities for children between the ages of three to five. Currently, at least 51% of children in Preschool for All programs must be identified as at-risk, and programs must prioritize enrollment of at-risk and low-income children. At-risk status is determined individually through a screening process. This program was established on July 1, 2006.
• The Prekindergarten Program for Children at Risk of Academic Failure serves children between the ages of three and five who are not age-eligible to enter kindergarten and who have been identified as being at risk of academic failure. Since July 1, 2006, this program has operated only on continuing funds. New funding is only available through Preschool for All.
• Prevention Initiative serves at-risk children from birth to three years old and their families, providing early intervention, parent education, and case management services.
• Parental Training provides parent education for families with children from birth to five years, including prenatal instruction and information. Parental Training is intended for all families in Illinois, and is funded as part of a Preschool for All or Prevention Initiative grant.

For additional information about ECBG programs, visit the Illinois State Board of Education’s website.

What constitutes “at-risk”?
Many of the ECBG program eligibility requirements are based on local need to identify children “at risk of academic failure”. At-risk children are defined by individual programs using an existing screening instrument or one that they have developed. Examples of At-risk criteria may include children from

•  low-income families;
•  homeless families;
•  families where English is not the primary language spoken in the home;
• families where one or both parents are teenagers or have not completed high school;
• families with drug/alcohol abuse;
• children living with family other than parent;
• children suffering from chronic illness;
•  parents’ illness, and/or
• children with one or more incarcerated parent.

 However, neither a child’s membership in a certain group nor a child’s family situation should determine whether that child is at-risk.