The Division of Early Childhood
The Department of Human Services Division of Early Childhood (DEC) was established as a standalone IDHS division in 2021 to help strengthen and centralize the state's existing child care, home visiting, and early intervention programs, as well as operationalize and create administrative capacity to establish sustainable infrastructure needs in order to streamline services.
Working hand-in-hand with local communities throughout Illinois, the Division of Early Childhood provides low-income, working families with access to quality, affordable child care; administers community-based prevention and intervention programs; and helps all children between the ages of birth to three with disabilities or delays, to learn and grow.
Early Childhood Program Administration
The Division of Early Childhood manages a wide array of programs funded by both federal and state funding and grants that support the state's entire child care network. These programs include:
Need Assistance? Need help finding something, or advice on where to begin? The Division of Early Childhood has a full service customer service team ready to get you to the right place. Our Early Childhood Navigators can help you find a resource center, track down a provider payment, or provide general advice on where to start finding the support you need.
Email our Customer Service and Inquiries Team
Frequent Self-Service Links
