AOK (ALL OUR KIDS) EARLY CHILDHOOD NETWORK
For children to get the best start in life, families need strong communities where everyone is working together toward common goals for young children.
About All Our Kids Early Childhood Networks
The All Our Kids Early Childhood Networks initiative (AOK Networks) in Illinois was launched in 1999 to support collaboration across service sectors so that greater results for young children could be achieved.
The AOK Network is committed to developing a high-quality, well-coordinated, easily accessible system of care to promote positive growth and development for children up to five years of age, as well as their families.
AOK Network Members
Network members include parents, faith-based community partners, and professionals from education, early learning, libraries, business entities, early intervention programs, family support, healthcare, human services, mental health, and government organizations.
The AOK Network has subcommittees that focus on developmental screenings, early childhood mental health and development, family engagement, network capacity and a pilot referral program.
Community Development Screenings for Children
Developmental screenings provide parents and professionals with information on whether a child’s development is similar to children of the same age. Screenings cannot diagnose but can target areas of concern that may indicate further assessments. The screening tool used is called the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). It is a parent completed tool that has the parent/caregiver answer questions regarding their child’s development.
To find a find a screening near you visit: swgk.org
Resource Guide
The AOK resource guide was developed for families with young children and service providers to have resources that they could fit in their purse, pocket, or wallet.
Brochures
Interested in Participating in AOK?
If you are interested in participating in the AOK Network or would like to request paper copies of the AOK Resource Guide, contact the AOK Coordinator, Rebecca Anderson at 815-727-8864 or randerson@willcountyhealth.org.
To find out more about the local Will County AOK Network aoknetworks.org
IRIS is a web-based communication tool to help organizations connect the families they serve to the right resources in their community. For more information about the IRIS online referral system, or to become an IRIS Referral Partner, contact Rebecca at randerson@willcountyhealth.org.
To learn more about the IRIS platform visit: connectwithiris.org
To learn more about IRIS at WCHD click here.