DuPage County

Contact Info

Network Coordinator: Kate Estrada (630) 221-7322 Kate.Estrada@dupagehealth.org

Family Engagement Specialist: Deyanira Cabrera 630-221-5329 deyanira.cabrera@dupagehealth.org

Address: DuPage County Health Department
111 N. County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187

The DuPage All Our Kids Early Childhood Collaboration (DAECC) formed in June 2022 to improve alignment among cross-sector partners and early childhood collaborations. DAECC partners, along with the other 8 early childhood collaborations in DuPage work to improve the early childhood system to ensure positive developmental outcomes for children and their families in the county

In fiscal year 2025, the DuPage County AOK network completed the four-phase Community Assessment and Action Planning Process (CAPAP). The goal of CAPAP is to improve the early childhood system so that children and families reach better outcomes. Our network identified the targeted problem in DuPage: Not all young children are on a positive developmental trajectory (language and literacy benchmarks). By having this focus, our network’s action plan will aim to improve this outcome for children in DuPage.

Our mission is to support an equitable early learning system through a county-wide collaboration of organizations partnering with families and communities. In 2024, the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) and the DuPage All Our Kids Early Childhood Collaboration (DAECC) adopted The Basics initiative as one of the first efforts aimed at tackling the targeted problem. Grounded in research showing that 90% of brain growth happens by age 5, The Basics highlights how simple, everyday interactions between parents, caregivers, and community members promote healthy brain development and help close learning gaps.

This community-wide public health strategy works across organizations to embed The Five Basics Principles – evidence-based practices that support early childhood development– into the daily lives of families with young children.

The Basics universal program allows service providers across sectors to implement the five principles: Maximize Love, Manage Stress; Talk, Sing and Point; Count, Group, and Compare; Explore Through Movement and Play; and Read and Discuss Stories, with the families they serve. Through this initiative, we aim to improve developmental outcomes for all children aged 0-5 in DuPage County.

The Basics DuPage has experienced significant growth over the past two years. We began by piloting The Basics in the target communities of Addison, West Chicago, and Willowbrook, focusing first on informing partners and programs in those areas and building awareness through team trainings.

Since launching, more than 1,000 children have been enrolled in Basics Insights. Our 14 partner organizations played a key role in enrolling so many families through their community events, outreach efforts, and by embedding The Basics into their programming – such as playgroups and home visits.

We have also installed 29 engagement stations across both our target areas and throughout DuPage County. These stations include books, age‑appropriate and developmentally appropriate toys, activity mats, and information on The Basics.

What parents and caregivers are saying about The Basics Insights in DuPage County:

“Insights helped me realize how much I am already doing to help my child’s brain development. I feel empowered to help my child reach his full potential by continuing to include The Basics in our play and our daily routines.”

“They are creative, they are fun.”

“I really like it, I feel like the tips are really helpful and it gives you different ways to ask questions and is easy to follow.”

“I LOVE receiving The Basics texts. There have been numerous times where it provides me with peace and encouragement. Thanks so much for sharing this resource with me!”

“I love them! Sometimes I don’t know what to do with my little one and it gives me an idea of what I can do.”

“I love it! I especially appreciated the reading tips because it encourages me to keep reading to my toddle even after she walks away or does other things.”

These collective efforts reflect a growing, county‑wide commitment to ensuring every young child in DuPage has the foundation they need to thrive. As The Basics DuPage continues to expand, parents, partners, and community members alike are helping build an early childhood system that is more connected, equitable, and responsive to the needs of families. With each training, engagement station, and Insights text, we move closer to a future where all children, regardless of language, zip code, or socio-economic status are supported on a positive developmental path. DuPage County is stronger when we invest in our youngest neighbors, and The Basics initiative is helping us do just that.