Gov. J.B. Pritzker has named Teresa Ramos, the primary deputy assistant governor for training, as the primary head of the state’s new Department of Early Childhood, his workplace stated Monday.
If confirmed by the state Senate, Ramos will oversee the launch of a division that will consolidate features now below the state Department of Human Services, Board of Education and Department of Children and Family Services.
The new division was authorized by lawmakers and signed into regulation by Pritzker earlier this 12 months as a part of a collection of initiatives to enhance early childhood providers in Illinois. According to the governor’s workplace, the division is anticipated to be absolutely operational on July 1, 2026. Until then, Ramos will work to strengthen the company and its crew, a spokesperson for the governor stated.
Ramos has already been concerned in strategic planning for the brand new company, the governor’s workplace stated.
Ultimately, the division’s providers ought to embrace preschool supervision, interventions for youngsters with disabilities and developmental delays, and day care licensing.
Prior to becoming a member of the Pritzker administration, Ramos labored at two education-focused nonprofit organizations, serving as vp of public coverage, analysis and advocacy at Illinois Action for Children and director of neighborhood engagement for Advance Illinois . He labored on Pritzker’s academic transition crew in 2018, in response to the governor’s workplace.
Pritzker cited Ramos’ “expertise in training, baby care, neighborhood engagement and early childhood improvement” in a press launch asserting the appointment.
According to the governor’s workplace, Ramos’ wage might be $214,988 per 12 months. His wage won’t be augmented by the governor’s private wealth, as has been the case for a few of his high aides, a spokeswoman stated Monday.
The new Department of Early Childhood is meant to streamline entry to household providers and administration for the state, Democratic Rep. Mary Beth Canty of Arlington Heights, a invoice sponsor, stated earlier this 12 months. regulation.
State lawmakers allotted $14 million to create the brand new company out of a $53.1 billion price range authorized this 12 months.
In explicit, the licensing of day care facilities by way of DCFS has been a spotlight of restructuring, as some lawmakers and advocates have argued that reassigning that duty would enable the struggling company to deal with its different providers, reminiscent of investigations into abuse and neglect.
Pritzker has made early childhood training one in all his priorities all through his tenure.
