Basics DeKalb County is part of the DeKalb County Kindergarten Readiness Collaborative, a regional early learning initiative to collectively build capacity, coherence and impact to better prepare its youngest residents for school. Basics DeKalb serves 8 school districts, several private schools, and works across 15 municipalities.
In the past year, Basics DeKalb County has reached 3,574 children, held 85 events, and collaborated with 33 organizations to promote the Basics.
Other efforts include a partnership with the county health department to distribute Basics information during drive-thru WIC appointments and outreach via diaper distributions and mobile food pantries.
Incorporated Basics materials and messages into family-friendly renovations of health clinic waiting rooms and have created Basics Parent Cafes to encourage a trusting environment where parents can learn and support one another.
Both DuPage and Rockford are emerging Basics communities.
Support for Basics Illinois Network members comes from local leadership of the DeKalb ROE, in partnership with the Basics Learning Network and Basics, Inc. The DeKalb Community Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation provide philanthropic support.