IL HB4728

Department of Human Services must implement a Child Care Collaboration Program by July 1, 2024 to combine child care subsidy funds with other early childhood funding streams for eligible families.

Eligible providers must be licensed early childhood centers or family child care homes receiving or eligible for child care assistance, and must have existing or pending collaborative arrangements with Head Start, Early Head Start, or Illinois State Board of Education pre-kindergarten programs.

Approved providers receive annual contracts allowing advance payment of child care services based on licensed facility capacity.

Families in approved collaboration programs receive up to 36 months of eligibility, full-day care regardless of parental employment status, and no required co-payments.

Families may satisfy child care assistance training and education activity requirements by participating in services referred by their Head Start, Early Head Start, or pre-kindergarten program.