Following the Tribune article about Universal Preschool, there were some interesting quotes from a couple of groups who are writing the current governor’s blueprint for Oversight for All.

And though the legislation gives priority to disadvantaged children and working families, it can still be considered a universal preschool program, said Harriet Meyer, president of the Chicago-based Ounce of Prevention Fund and co-chairman of the Illinois Early Learning Council, which provided a blueprint for Blagojevich’s plan. "All [the legislation] is doing is setting in place priorities for how the program builds up over time," she said.

I’ve blogged this earlier.  Ounce of Prevention and the IL Early Learning Council have the governor’s ear along with the majority of the IL House and Senate and are the providers of this.  (Not to say that the Republican ‘leaders’ aren’t any less guilty with Big Brotherhood):

The Illinois Early Learning Council will consider a broad range of issues related to quality, evaluation and assessment, expansion, linkage and integration, and workforce development. In addition, the following city and statewide initiatives are currently underway that relate to and complement the work of the Early Learning Council.

Including: the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership along with many other Cradle on Initiatives.

Jerry Stermer, president of Voices for Illinois Children, said, "Lawmakers in both parties, in both chambers, were concerned that we expand in the most thoughtful way, providing services to at-risk children first."

Voices for IL Children were addressed here too.  Here’s their ditty again:

Strengthen children’s social and emotional well-being. Children’s mental health is fundamental to their overall success. Thus, we should act upon the recommendations of the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership, dedicating $19.5 million in new resources to school-based services as well as other early intervention, prevention and treatment services for kids from birth to age 18. This FY2007 funding also would help launch a public-awareness campaign to eliminate the hurtful stigma associated with the mental health difficulties many children face.

Voices for IL Children President (who is in the know) says:


 He said no one expected the plan to serve all children at once.
"We believe we’re on the road to universal preschool, as we had anticipated being."


Pretty clever cookies.  But they get paid to be that way.  Bottom line-money.

So, there’s the Plan over the next few years.  (Across the nation, but Illinois is unfortunately on the "cutting edge"). It’s not in a nutshell.  It’s not an easy read but it’s definitely pervasive, intrusive and a Homeschooling Issue however you want to address it with your legislative representative.  

Call your legislators and ask them to oppose universal  mental health screening AND "Preschool For ALL.  CC the governor’s office as it looks like almost half the legislators (Republicans) aren’t heard here in Illinois by the current Powers That Be.   This can be changed and it can be stopped with The Peoples’ Voice.