 "Despite budgetary problems over the past several years, the
department has continued to subsidize high-quality care for children
from birth to age 13," said IDHS Secretary Michelle R.B. Saddler.
"Access to these types of child care services is vital in assisting
working families to achieve maximum self-sufficiency and
independence."
IDHS is required by state statute to submit an annual report to
the governor and the General Assembly regarding the status of the
department's child care programs, which include the Child Care
Assistance Program and Quality Improvement Programs.
CCAP provides low-income, working families with access to
quality, affordable child care that allows them to continue working
and contributes to the healthy emotional and social development of
their children. In fiscal 2012, July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012, the
program served a total of 265,693 children from 152,690 families.
IDHS' Quality Improvement Programs are designed to increase the
quality of child care across the state, and participation in these
programs is also on the rise. Last year, the number of programs
licensed through the Illinois Quality Counts Quality Rating System,
known as QRS, increased to 760, or 13 percent. These licensed child
care centers and family child care homes provide care for more than
50,000 Illinois children. In fiscal 2012, the Department of Human
Services also provided $3 million in grants to these child care
centers and family child care homes for program and facility
improvements, parent resources, and staff training.
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Participation in and receiving a QRS certification means a
provider has achieved specific standards of quality set by the state
of Illinois. This can help prepare children in care for success in
school and in life.
Other highlights from the fiscal 2012 Child Care Report:
-
The number of
child care center staff receiving Gateways scholarships to
attend college increased by 17 percent to 652.
-
The number of
Gateways to Opportunity credentials awarded in fiscal 2012
increased by 34 percent to 749. These credentials are symbols of
professional achievement that validate knowledge and skills,
experience, and contributions in early care and education,
infants and toddlers, or administration.
For more information on these programs or to view the entire
Illinois
Child Care Report, visit
www.dhs.state.il.us.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Human Services
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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