Child Care Advisory Council Minutes: September 21, 2021

Welcome and Introductions

If you are a Council member, please introduce

yourself by typing the following into the chat:

  • Name
  • Role
  • Organization
  • Location

UPDATE: OMA Training is unavailable until further notice. Council members will not be penalized for not completing yet.

http://foia.ilattorneygeneral.net/electronic_foia_training.aspx

  • Allison Perkins Caldwell
  • Ann Grecek
  • Ayesha Calhoun
  • Brenda Eastham
  • Brynn Siebert
  • Carie Bires
  • Carisa Hurley
  • Casey Craft Cortes
  • Cerathel Burgess Burnett
  • Charles Montorio Archer
  • Chris Tokarski
  • Curtis Peace
  • Dan Harris
  • Edie Washington
  • Jamilah R. Jor'dan
  • Jenna Kelly
  • Karen Ross Williams
  • Lauri Morrison Frichtl
  • Laurie Rhodes
  • Leslie Cully
  • Lori Longueville
  • Marcy Mendenhall
  • Maricela Garcia
  • Mykela Collins
  • Nina Duenas
  • Ruth Kimble
  • Sandra Cole
  • Shauna Ejeh
  • Stacie Ealey
  • Tamera Fair
  • Teri Talan
  • Tina Staley
  • Tracy Carls
  • Vanessa Castro
  • Vicki Hodges

Virtual Meeting Etiquette

  • Please remember to stay on mute if you are not speaking.
  • Please feel welcome to turn on your video!
  • We recommend dialing in via phone and connecting your phone to your video to avoid internet connectivity issues.
  • Send a private chat to Lanette Woodard if you are having technical difficulties.
  • Make sure your Zoom name is your own.
  • There will be time for comments from the public at the end of the meeting.

Agenda

  • 1:00 2:15 pm: Full Council
    • Welcome and Introductions
    • Approval of minutes
    • IDHS Updates
  • Break: 2:15 - 2:30 pm
  • 2:30 - 3:40pm Committees
    • Discussion: Identify areas of focus for recommendations
  • 3:40 - 3:55pm Regroup and Discussion
  • 3:55 - 4:00pm Public Comment

IDHS September Child Care Announcements

  • 3 months of CCAP eligibility for parents/guardians engaged in job search
    • Must meet all other CCAP eligibility requirements
    • Parents who obtain an eligible activity within 3 months will be eligible for the full 12 month eligibility period
    • IDHS will work with DCEO and IDES on outreach and messaging
  • Child Care Workforce Bonuses
    • Available to all staff in programs eligible for Child Care Restoration Grants
    • Bonuses will be approximately $1,000 per staff member
    • Employers will apply through Gateways Directors Portal
    • Rolling applications from October 2021 March 2022
  • Continued Child Care Restoration Grants through December 2021
  • Stabilization Grants in 2022

Discussion:

2022 Stabilization Funds

Sara Mickelson, Consultant

Background: Federal COVID-19 Funding

  • American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Child Care Funding sent approximately $1.3B in funds to Illinois
  • ARPA child care funds are across three buckets:
    • $496M in CCDF Discretionary funds , targeted toward increasing and maintaining access to child care subsidies
    • $796M in Child Care Stabilization Grant fund, which requires states to distribute funds to:
      • stabilize existing licensed and license exempt child care programs
        • Programs must be open and available to provide services or who are temporarily closed due to COVID 19
      • The program allows states to develop applications and requirements for stabilization programs
      • A portion of funds can also be used for administration, supply-building, and technical assistance
    • $19.9M in CCDF Mandatory funds

Background: Supports for Illinois Child Care During COVID-19

Dollar Amount Program Description
$290 M

Child Care Restoration Grants: 2020

JUL - DEC 20

 Grants to support licensed providers during the pandemic to cover expenses due to lost tuition/revenue and increased costs of operation during COVID 19
$272 M*

Child Care Restoration Grants: 2021 Round 1 & 2

JAN - JUN 21
$163 M*

Child Care Restoration Grants: Round 3 and 4

JUL - DEC 21
$100 M*

Child Care Workforce Bonus Program

OCT 21 - MARCH 22

 Grants for licensed and license exempt programs to provide bonuses of up to $1,000 to educators and other staff
$300 M*

Child Care Stabilization Program

2022

 Proposed program (for feedback today) to support child care programs with predictable funding to cover increased wages and other operational costs

$1.1 B TOTAL FEDERAL DOLLARS IN DIRECT RELIEF

*Includes ARPA Child Care Stabilization Funds

What We've Learned

Of the 5,561 grantees who received over $138M in Child Care Recovery Grants in Round 1 2021 , the majority spent funding on salaries ($92.5M) and occupancy costs ($18.7M)

  • Salaries - 71%
  • Occupancy Costs - 14%
  • Fringe Benefits - 3%
  • Utilities - 3%
  • Food Services - 2%

Unlabeled categories are <2% of total

  • Other
  • PPE/Cleaning Supplies
  • Contractual Services
  • Supplies
  • Direct Administration Costs
  • Remote Learning Costs for School Age
  • Indirect Costs
  • Equipment
  • Consultant Services

What We've Learned, Pt. 2

Preliminary results from IDHS/INCRRA survey on future needs to stabilize child care show supports for staff to be the highest area of need according to program administrators from all types of licensed programs across the state

Licensed Child Care Center Licensed Family Child Care Home Licensed Group Family Child Care Home Total for All Types
Wage Increase 100% 100% 100% 100%
Scholarships 98% 98% 95% 98%
Ongoing Bonuses 98% 98% 97% 98%
Expand PD 98% 98% 95% 98%
Health Insurance 98% 98% 95% 98%
Retirement, PTO, Other Benefits 98% 98% 95% 98%
Signing Bonuses 97% 98% 95% 97%
Support COVID-19 Safety Protocols 63% 65 61% 64%
Enhance Classrooms 50% 54% 42% 52%
Cover Under Enrollment 58% 45% 44% 50%
Tuition Relief for Families 38% 20% 20% 25%

This data aligns with some of the NAEYC findings from their July 21 analysis found here . 76% of their respondents say they would accept a temporary compensation increase, though 32% worried about effect on public benefits.

The Next Phase of COVID-19 Relief: 2022 Stabilization Funds

Build on existing strategies with an additional $300M in federal funds

  • PURPOSE - Support stability in child care with predictable funding that can better cover workforce and other operational costs
  • ELIGIBILITY - Licensed child care centers and homes serving a minimum threshold of children in the Child Care Assistance Program
  • STRUCTURE - Provide 15 - 18 months of funds paid to programs quarterly in advance and allowed for certain purposes
  • ALLOWABLE EXPENSES
    • 50% of funds must be spent on investments in the workforce, including: compensation increases, bonuses, professional development, benefits, recruitment and retention, mental health care, etc.
    • Enhancements to the learning environment
    • Tuition relief for families
    • All other ARPA Stabilization Fund allowable uses

The Next Phase of COVID-19 Relief: 2022 Stabilization Funds, cont.

Supplemental investments in the workforce include:

  • WAGE INCREASES, such as raises to hourly wages, salaries, or ongoing bonuses
  • BENEFITS INCREASES, such as reducing premiums for insurance, making retirement contributions, mental health supports
  • SUPPORT FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, such as scholarships, paid time for PD, new offerings for staff
  • COVID-19 specific SUPPORTS, such as time off to get vaccines, transportation, substitutes
  • RECRUITING STAFF, e.g., to attract new workers and strengthen the diversity of programs
  • ADDING STAFF OR CONSULTANTS FOR KEY FUNCTIONS, like mental health consultants or back end admin support

Feedback: Village Hall

  • Convened nearly 60 CCAC members and other early childhood stakeholders for feedback on program
  • Feedback included:
    • Questions or concerns about long term sustainability
    • Recommendations to add or call out more options for how to increase wages
    • Needs for infrastructure to support these efforts, such as a substitute pool 
    • Underscored the importance of supports for the early childhood workforce and the urgency to support those working in child care

Today's CCAC Discussion

In breakout groups, you will answer:

  • 50% workforce investment requirement:
    • Are the workforce spending categories the right categories?
    • What's missing? What should be removed?
  • What will programs need to successfully leverage these funds in 2022?
    • How can IDHS proactively address barriers to programs opting in?
    • How can IDHS proactively address barriers to programs spending the 50% workforce investment?

Committees

  • Family engagement
    • Chairs: Shauna Ejeh, Jamilah R. Jor'dan
    • IDHS Representative: Kisha Davis
  • CCAP Policy
    • Chairs: Brenda Eastham, Chris Tokarski
    • IDHS Representative: Carolyn Marmolejo
  • Quality and Workforce
    • Chairs: Laurie Rhodes, Marcy Mendenhall
    • IDHS Representative: Cindy Wall

Discussion

  • Family engagement
    • Chairs: Shauna Ejeh, Jamilah R. Jor'dan
    • IDHS Representative: Kisha Davis
  • CCAP Policy
    • Chairs: Brenda Eastham, Chris Tokarski
    • IDHS Representative: Carolyn Marmolejo
  • Quality and Workforce
    • Chairs: Laurie Rhodes, Marcy Mendenhall
    • IDHS Representative: Cindy Wall

Public Comment

N/A

Upcoming Meetings

  • November 17, 2021 from 1:00 4:00pm
  • January 26, 2022 from 1:00 4:00pm

For more information on the CCAC:

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=118674