In this Issue
This month’s issue of eAdvocate brings you many ways to participate in early childhood advocacy! There are several upcoming events to attend, the release of a new report, an important CCAP update, and a Facebook group to join!
Spring into Action is happening NOW through May 28.
It has been great seeing your faces at our Spring into Action Friday Action Hour sessions! If you haven’t attended one yet, check out the list of events! Coming up next are workshops:
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Friday, March 19: Comprehensive Paid Family & Medical Leave for All Illinoisans with Women Employed
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Friday, March 26: Tackling the Maternal Health Crisis through Expansion of Perinatal Supports with EverThrive and Start Early
Register for all Spring into Action events, today!
Check out our latest report!
Last month we released our latest report entitled Funding Priorities of Child Care Providers: Where would Increased Investments Go? We heard from over 280 providers statewide and learned how the secured public funds, use funds, and what they would do if funding were not an issue.
Click here to download our report in English and in Spanish. A recording of our launch webinar is also available.
CCAP Billing Update from March to June 2021
For March through June, normal payment entry for the child care assistance program (CCAP) has been reinstated; there is now the 50 percent attendance rule, rather than the 80 percent attendance rule.
The COVID-19 exemption applies through care provided in February, in March providers will need to apply for a traditional attendance exemption through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).
Please find the notice from IDHS here.
Join the Families First Illinois Facebook group!
Families First IL is a virtual parent community space designed to help parents and guardians navigate the complexities of child care and early education in Illinois to feel more connected, celebrated, and in control of their children’s future. /p>
This is an ever-evolving space for all family types to build community, share lived experience and expertise, access critical information, and rally for better solutions to child care and early education. This group is also supported by child care and early education experts across the state to provide the most up to date, free and accessible resources to meet the current moment.
Join today!
American Rescue Plan and Child Care
We are thrilled to see support for the early childhood field in the president’s American Rescue Plan. The plan, which has been passed by both houses of Congress and signed by President Biden this Thursday, includes $39 billion in new funds for child care, this includes $23 billion for the Child Care Stabilization Fund which provides direct support to providers to cover the cost of staying open. Illinois would receive $800 million. The Rescue Plan also includes nearly $15 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, and Illinois would receive $500 million of those funds. We will keep you updated on further federal support updates!
#eAdvocateNewsletter