Effective 03/16/2020, Child Care Resource and Referral Network will discontinue walk in services until further notice. No trainings, car seat inspections, events, meetings, and visits to child care programs will be conducted until further notice.

PEW Application

The Priority Essential Worker application process and eligibility was offered for the service months of April and May. Per the Executive Order, all PEW applications were approved with eligibility beginning either 4/1 or 5/1. Effective June 1, 2020, the PEW application will no longer be accepted. However, IDHS will pay through the service month of June.

30% Add-on

The enhanced payment rate for Emergency Child Care Programs caring for children of essential workers is being extended for the service month of June. The add-on will be calculated on the approved daily rate in CCMS for children marked as Special Needs. The 30% will be calculated on the daily rate prior to any additional add-ones (Site Administrative, QRS, Special Needs…) or deductions (Union Dues…). The add-on is not limited to cases approved through the Prioritized Essential Worker application. Effective July 1, 2020, the 30% add on will no longer be offered.

Attendance Exemption Policy and Form

The Attendance Exemption Policy and form are being extended for the service month of June. For providers to qualify for the exemption, they must complete the online survey and the May/June. Attendance Exemption form. The attendance exemption form must be submitted with the monthly certificates. Effective July 1, 2020, the Attendance Exemption policy and form will no longer be offered.

$1 Copays

The $1 copay will be extended for the service month of June. Effective July 1, 2020, the $1 copay will no longer be offered and clients will be responsible for paying their original copay amount.

Auto Extension

Auto extensions will be extended for the service month of June, providing clients whose cases would have ended June 30th with an additional 6 months of child care under current eligibility. Effective July 1, 2020, auto extensions will no longer be offered and clients will be responsible for completing redetermination application and submitting all required supporting documentation.

CCAP Billing Guidance and Attendance Exemption Forms

• Billing Guidance Center/Licensed Home
• Attendance Exemption Form Center/Licensed Home
• Billing Guidance Licensed Exempt Home
• Attendance Exemption Form License Exempt Home

Greetings Early Childhood Community,

Governor Pritzker just announced the release of the Restore Illinois Child Care Guidelines. This document provides an overview of the requirements and recommended practices for child care programs in Phases 3 and 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. Additional details and guidance materials will be forthcoming to support programs as they plan to reopen or transition back from emergency care to their regular license.

During the declared COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the children of Prioritized Essential Workers are eligible to receive child care through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Prioritized Essential Workers include those working in Health Care, Human Services, essential Government services (e.g. Corrections, law enforcement, fire department), and essential Infrastructure.

IDHS is offering child care assistance as a support to the priority essential workers that do not have the option to work remotely. This service should be treated as an option of last resort. If at all possible, it is best for your children to remain at home and practice social distancing during the COVID pandemic.

COVID-19 Prioritized Essential Workers Child Care Application