Since the pandemic began, the state has invested more than $700 million in COVID-19 relief funding in the state’s childcare industry.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Secretary Grace Hou announced on Monday, Sept. 13 a series of investments to strengthen access to childcare for parents seeking to reenter the workforce while simultaneously bolstering childcare providers and their employees.

As families across Illinois continue to regain employment and financial stability during the COVID-19 pandemic, IDHS is expanding Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) eligibility to include three months of free coverage for unemployed parents who meet the CCAP eligibility requirements to help residents get back to work.

The Pritzker administration is also providing bonuses of up to $1,000 for eligible childcare workers. These bonuses will be followed by two more rounds of childcare restoration grants, plus an additional phase of grants in 2022, with $300 million to be made available to providers across the state.

Earlier this year, the governor announced CCAP co-pays would decrease for 80 percent of families who participate in the program. Families who meet certain income eligibility requirements, with income below 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level have seen their monthly co-pays reduced to $1.

Since the pandemic began, the state has invested more than $700 million in COVID-19 relief funding in the state’s childcare industry. Through the first round of Child Care Restoration Grants, over 5,000 providers have received monetary support, representing 85 percent of eligible childcare centers and 40 percent of licensed family childcare homes.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces a three-part initiative to invest in childcare across Illinois on Monday, Sept. 13 in Chicago. (illinois.gov)

On average, childcare centers have received over $270,000 each and childcare homes have received an average of $13,000.

“Childcare is an essential part of a strong and equitable economy, and I’m proud that Illinois is leading the nation in supporting families and providers,” said Pritzker. “Without safe and affordable childcare, too many caregivers – especially women — can’t return to the workforce. We’re taking a major step to address this problem in Illinois, and rebuild our childcare ecosystem — and rebuild it better.”

Beginning Oct. 1, parents who are unemployed and actively seeking employment will be eligible for three months of Child Care Assistance, provided they meet the standard CCAP eligibility requirements.

If parents become employed or enroll in an education program before the end of the three-month period and meet all other CCAP eligibility requirements, their eligibility will continue for 12 months in total.

Families interested in applying for support through the Child Care Assistance Program, can contact their local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency (CCR&R) which can be found online at https://www.inccrra.org/about/sdasearch or by calling 1-877-202-4453 toll-free.

In addition, DHS will launch the Child Care Workforce Bonus program next month. Through the program, all staff at licensed and license-exempt childcare centers and homes will be eligible to receive up to a $1000 bonus, provided they meet all licensing and health and safety requirements. Childcare workers will receive the payment through their employer between October 2021 and March 2022.

Application information about the program will be available for employers via the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) in the coming weeks. Employers are required to pay staff 100 percent of the bonus amount awarded by the state.

“At IDHS, we have taken necessary steps to support front line workers who are the fabric of communities across the state. The childcare network is essential to rebuilding our economy,” said IDHS Secretary Grace B. Hou.

The administration will also launch a final round of 2021 Child Care Restoration Grants and later this year will open applications for 2022 Stabilization Grants.

The Child Care Restoration Grants administered through IDHS continue to offer childcare providers access to funds that can help counterbalance losses due to COVID-19 and take advanced steps to rebuild from the impacts of the pandemic.

The program has been in place since 2020, when it provided $290 million to small businesses and childcare providers across the state. $270 million in additional funds have been invested in providers, to date, in 2021.

Of the licensed childcare centers who received a state grant in 2020, 98 percent are still open and serving children. Approximately 30 percent fewer childcare centers closed over the last year than closed on average each year from 2016 to 2018.

Currently, 93,406 children are served through the CCAP. For more information on childcare support opportunities, visit www.ilgateways.com/financial-opportunities/restoration-grants.