The Prevention Initiative (PI) offers early childhood development and family support services designed to help children establish a solid foundation for learning and to assist families in preparing their children for school success.
We recently applied for PI funding through the Illinois State Board of Education to operate a half-day program for two-year-old children. Families who need childcare outside of PI hours will be responsible for their children’s care during those times.
Children attend a half-day program from Monday to Friday, operating from 8:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. During this time, a research-based curriculum and assessment tool guide their learning and development. Each day, children are provided with a healthy snack. Our teachers are qualified and hold the required credentials, and our facility is licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
Families are expected to complete a Parent and Outcomes Questionnaire annually, attend monthly parent education activities, and meet with our family support specialist each month. These meetings will involve completing a research-based family assessment, setting individual family goals, and following up on those goals. Additionally, home visits are available on an as-needed basis.
The PI program is available free of charge to families who meet the eligibility criteria.
Families must meet the following requirements:
- Families must be Illinois residents.
- Priority is given to families in Lake Bluff and Lake Forest and those with barriers to accessing an early learning program.
- Children must be at least two (2) years old.
- Children may not be currently enrolled in PI.
The following documents are required before children can start attending PI.
- Child’s Birth Certificate
- Applicant’s State Issued Identification (ID)
If you do not have the necessary documents, please get in touch with us for further assistance.
Enrolling in PI is a straightforward process that involves only three (3) simple steps.
STEP 1
To register online, fill out the registration application form.
STEP 2
Complete the online screening tool. Please complete both the ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2 Ages and Stages Questionnaire.
STEP 3
Please come and visit our school, meet our team, and submit the necessary documents if you are found eligible.
The online registration will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete on Brightwheel. You will be asked to answer some personal questions about your background, home life and child’s health. Please note that the information you enter onto Brightwheel is confidential and will be used to help us determine if you are eligible for our program. The online application cannot be seen or accessed by anyone other than the program employees directly involved with enrollment. If found eligible for our program, your registration information may be shared with the Department of Child and family Services(DCFS) and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to fulfil state requirements.