Illinois expanding child care assistance, $300 mil. in relief for providers, bonuses for workers

(WSIL) — Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Office of Human Providers (IDHS) Secretary Grace Hou announced a series of country-leading investments to fortify entry to childcare for mother and father looking for to reenter the workforce whilst concurrently bolstering childcare providers and their employees. 

IDHS is expanding Kid Care Help Program (CCAP) eligibility to involve 3 months of absolutely free protection for unemployed mom and dad who satisfy the CCAP eligibility demands to support people get back again to get the job done.

The Pritzker administration is also offering bonuses of up to $1,000 for qualified childcare personnel. These bonuses will be adopted by two a lot more rounds of childcare restoration grants, additionally an more section of grants in 2022, with $300 million to be made obtainable to companies across the state.

“Childcare is an important aspect of a sturdy and equitable economic climate, and I’m very pleased that Illinois is foremost the nation in supporting families and suppliers,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Without secure and cost-effective childcare, way too numerous caregivers – particularly gals – just cannot return to the workforce. We’re using a important move to handle this difficulty in Illinois, and rebuild our childcare ecosystem – and rebuild it far better.”

Starting October 1, 2021, parents who are unemployed and actively searching for work will be suitable for three months of Child Treatment Guidance, provided they fulfill the normal CCAP eligibility needs. If moms and dads grow to be utilized or enroll in an schooling application right before the conclusion of the a few-thirty day period period of time and meet up with all other CCAP eligibility prerequisites, their eligibility will carry on for 12 months in overall.

People interested in making use of for support by way of the Little one Treatment Support Application, can call their area Child Care Useful resource & Referral Company (CCR&R) which can be found on the internet at https://www.inccrra.org/about/sdasearch or by contacting 1-877-202-4453 toll-free.

In addition, DHS will start the Little one Care Workforce Bonus plan following month. Via the software, all staff at accredited and license-exempt childcare centers and properties will be suitable to get up to a $1000 bonus, furnished they meet all licensing and wellness and protection needs. Childcare employees will receive the payment by way of their employer concerning Oct 2021 and March 2022.

Application information and facts about the plan will be readily available for companies by way of the Illinois Community of Baby Treatment Resource & Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) in the coming weeks. Businesses are needed to fork out staff members 100{09b62f9dd9f8bee9bd113be20c25b351a1085088105ac6c5ddb6e1732d50b4e0} of the reward sum awarded by the state.

The administration will also launch a remaining spherical of 2021 Kid Care Restoration Grants and afterwards this 12 months will open programs for 2022 Stabilization Grants. The Child Treatment Restoration Grants administered by IDHS keep on to give childcare providers access to funds that can support counterbalance losses due to COVID-19 and consider superior techniques to rebuild from the impacts of the pandemic. 

“Thanks to the unwavering management of Governor Pritzker, our administration is mobilizing federal recovery pounds to deliver grants that will aid Illinois businesses keep on with reopening, deliver back again their workers, and rebuild stronger,” said IDHS Secretary, Grace B. Hou.  “At IDHS, we have taken important steps to assist entrance line employees who are the fabric of communities across the point out. The childcare community is important to rebuilding our economy.”

At this time, 93,406 small children are served by means of the CCAP. For extra information and facts on childcare assist alternatives, visit www.ilgateways.com/economic-options/restoration-grants.