CCAP Policy Update (pdf)
CCAP Policy Update (Spanish) (pdf)
CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM POLICY UPDATES October 1, 2019
Dear Child Care Providers, Parents, and Stakeholders:
We have exciting news! Effective October 1, 2019 the monthly income eligibility guidelines increased allowing more families to participate in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).
The state previously set a cap for who can receive CCAP child care assistance at a family income of 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). That limit has grown to 200 percent, and families who previously qualified at 200 percent FPL or lower can stay eligible if their income grows up to 225 percent FPL. This means a family of three that annually earned $42,660 ($3,555/month) when they initially applied can still be part of the program if their family income reaches $48,000 ($4,000/month). In addition, families who have their income increase above 225 percent FPL (between $48,000, but under $63,840) can be part of a three month "graduated phase-out" in which they still get 90 days of subsidized child care.
Use this chart to see if a family might be eligible:
Family Size |
Maximum Monthly Income
(Gross before Taxes)
|
2 |
$2,819 |
3 |
$3,555 |
4 |
$4,292 |
5 |
$5,029 |
6 |
$5,765 |
7 |
$6,502 |
8 |
$7,239 |
Income guidelines as of October 1, 2019. |
At the Illinois Department of Human Services, we are working very diligently to make sure the CCAP program is accessible, available, and known to the eligible participants. We appreciate all of you who have been advocates of the program and have been working alongside us to share this critical resource and program policy updates in your community.
Thanks to our collective efforts, in August 2019, Illinois had 131,766 children enrolled in CCAP certificate program. That's the highest total in three fiscal years and an increase of 14,801 children from January 2019!
Please continue to help us spread the word. At any time, a family can utilize the CCAP eligibility calculator on our website to see if they qualify: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/applications/ChildCareEligCalc/eligcalc.html.
SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK
IDHS is eager to hear from parents and providers like you! IDHS is committed to CCAP and wants to know how we can improve the program. We strongly encourage you to take 10 minutes to complete a brief online CCAP survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ccap-feedback) to make your voice heard!
In partnership with the Child Care Resource and Referral System (CCR&Rs), IDHS will conduct in-person listening sessions around the state to gather feedback about the Child Care Assistance Program. If you are interested in attending a listening session contact your local CCR&R.
BACKGROUND CHECK PROCESS - UPDATED POLICY
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has made important updates to The Background Check Process. A background check is required for all eligible individuals living or working in a licensed childcare facility who may have unrestricted or unsupervised access to children in care, and in accordance with the Federal Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG), all new and existing child care employees, including those under 18 who are employed at a day care program. At present Illinois fingerprinting and background checks are free to applicants, household members, and employees of licensed, eligible unlicensed and eligible licensed-exempt facilities. Individuals who have lived outside of Illinois within the last 5 years are subject to interstate background check subject to the requirements of those states. The background check process cannot be used by employees of non-licensed programs operated by the licensee or it's umbrella agency.
Individuals subject to Partial Background Check
- Volunteers and household members age 13 through 17 years of age should complete a 718 Authorization for background Check and a partial check will be conducted by DCFS. This form should be submitted to the licensing representative assigned to the Child care home or center. The background check for age 13-17 will consist of a check of the Illinois Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) and Illinois Sex Offender Registry (SOR) and those of any state in which the individual has lived within the past 5 years.
Individuals subject to Comprehensive Criminal Background Check
- Individuals employed by a child care provider for compensation, including those between the ages of 14 through 17, contract employees or self-employed individuals;
- Individuals whose activities involve the care or supervision of children for a child care provider or unsupervised access to children who are cared for or supervised by a child care provider
- Any individual residing in a family child care home who is age 18 and older.
To learn more about the Background Check Process or to review the updated components of the check please visit: https://sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov/Content/Licensing/BackgroundCheckProcess.aspx.
As always we thank you for your time and partnership. If you are interested in receiving period policy email updates, please join our email list: https://lp.constantcontact.com/su/noUTOmW/CCAPupdates.