News
Jul 24, 2024, 12:00 PM
Beginning in July, all child support collected on behalf of Illinois’ low-income families with children who are current or former Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients in Illinois will be passed through to the family for the care and support of the child or children and will no longer be retained by the state, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) announced.
Jul 21, 2023, 9:00 AM
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
announced today that the state is offering more than 20,000 HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) purifiers at no cost to Day Care Centers in Illinois to help reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.
Sep 18, 2022, 9:00 AM
Oct 22, 2021, 9:00 AM
This special 11th edition report and interactive map examines the cost and affordability of child care across the nation. Families in the United States are overburdened by the high cost of child care. About 60% if funding for child care in the United States comes directly from parents. In comparison, families pay only about 23% of the cost of a public college education, with the remainder subsidized by state and federal funding.
Sep 13, 2021, 9:00 AM
On Monday, September 13, 2021, the Governor announced a Child Care Workforce Bonus program to recognize the efforts of child care staff who served and continue to serve children and families in person during the pandemic.
Jul 20, 2021, 9:00 AM
Due to a technical issue, a small number of child care providers recently received a duplicate payment from the Illinois Department of Human Services Child Care Assistance Program.
Jul 1, 2021, 9:00 AM
Effective July 1, 2021 the IDHS Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is making modification to some policies and procedures.
Jul 1, 2021, 9:00 AM
Health & Safety Training Requirements for License-exempt Non-relative Child Care Home Providers
Jun 25, 2021, 9:00 AM
Child Care Connection is sponsoring a Drive Thru Mask Pick Up on Thursday, July 1, 2021 from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm for all child care programs (licensed and license-exempt, homes and centers) in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Stark, Marshall, Putnam, Bureau, LaSalle and Fulton counties to pick up free adult masks.
May 26, 2021, 9:00 AM
Notices concerning training requirements for license-exempt providers
participating in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) were mailed with May
billing certificates.
Dec 23, 2020, 9:00 AM
Governor JB Pritzker today announced the administration is directing additional
funding to support child care providers that are part of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) which helps low-income working families access high-quality childcare, impacting 100,000 children annually.
Jul 24, 2020, 8:52 AM
Effective July 1, the IDHS Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is returning to
normal policies and procedures with some modifications.
Jun 25, 2020, 9:00 AM
As of July 1, 2020, Great START has two exciting new features!
Jun 19, 2020, 9:00 AM
May 22, 2020, 9:00 AM
Starting in Phase 3 and continuing through Phase 4, child care
providers are encouraged to reopen subject to guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health to serve the many families who will be returning to work.
Mar 20, 2020, 9:00 AM
In response to the unprecedented public health emergency that Illinois is facing as a result of the spread of COVID-19, Governor Pritzker has mandated the following closures for child care centers, child care homes, and early education programs across the state.
Mar 20, 2020, 9:00 AM
Frequently asked questions following the mandatory closure of all child care centers and homes.