9.3 Increasing Engagement and Access to Information

Lead Agencies must collect and disseminate information about the full range of child care services to promote parental choice to parents of children eligible for CCDF, the general public, and child care providers. 9.3.1 Information about CCDF availability and eligibility Describe how the Lead Agency shares information with eligible parents, the general public, and child care providers about the availability of child care services provided through CCDF and other programs for which the family may be eligible. The description should include, at a minimum, what is provided (e.g., written materials, the website, and direct communications) and what approaches are used to tailor information to parents, the general public, and child care providers. IDEC has an extensive outreach program to parents who could benefit from Child Care Assistance Program. In 2022/2023 the former Lead Agency advanced a $3 million Illinois Cares for Kids ad campaign, promoting the public education site, which equitably targeted parents across Illinois. In addition, the Lead Agency manages the Illinois Cares for Kids website as well as several social media channels aimed at parents and potential CCAP providers. These efforts are bolstered by touch points at the intake of other public support programs such as SNAP, TANF and Medicaid; where eligible enrollees are encouraged to seek assistance via their local CCR&R. Moving forward, the Division of Early Childhood will be focusing on increasing the organic promotion of these programs through additional cross-promotional opportunities with local and state service providers and partners, as well as through the continuation of the Illinois Cares for Kids campaign as an online platform to drive parents to the Child Care Assistance Program. 9.3.2 Information about child care and other services available for parents Does the Lead Agency certify that it provides information described in 9.3.1 for the following required programs? • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. • Head Start and Early Head Start programs. • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). • Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) program. • Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). • Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). • Programs carried out under IDEA Part B, Section 619 and Part C. [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: 9.3.3 Consumer statement for parents receiving CCDF services Lead Agencies must provide parents receiving CCDF services with a consumer statement in hard copy or electronically that contains general information about the CCDF program and specific information about the child care provider they select. Please certify if the Lead Agency provides parents receiving CCDF services a consumer statement that contains the following 8 requirements: 1. Health and safety requirements met by the provider 2. Licensing or regulatory requirements met by the provider 3. Date the provider was last inspected 4. Any history of violations of these requirements 5. Any voluntary quality standards met by the provider 6. How CCDF subsidies are designed to promote equal access 7. How to submit a complaint through the hotline 8. How to contact a local resource and referral agency or other community-based organization to receive assistance in finding and enrolling in quality child care Does the Lead Agency provide to families, either in hard copy or electronically, a consumer statement that contains the required information about the provider they have selected, including the eight required elements above? [ ] Yes. [x] No. If no, describe: The Lead Agency is working in partnership with INCCRRA to update the illnoiscaresforkids.org website, our consumer education website, to address these areas. 9.3.4 Informing families about best practices on child development Describe how the Lead Agency makes information available to parents, providers, and the general public on research and best practices concerning children’s development, including physical health and development, and information about successful parent and family engagement. At a minimum, the description should include what information is provided; how the information is provided; any distinct activities for sharing this information with parents, providers, the general public; and any partners in providing this information. The Lead Agency has developed the IL Cares for Kids website to inform and share with parents, care givers and providers resources associated with best practices concerning children’s development, including physical, cognitive and social and emotional well-being. Additionally the 16 local Child Care Resource & Referral agencies, Birth to Five Regional Councils and 25 Child Family and Connections all have family engagement strategies that include parent education and distribution of resources associated with early intervention, parenting tips and directory of early childhood resources in the communities they serve. The Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies make resources available via their website, mailings, in physical office locations, social media platforms, and newsletters. The Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies participate in community events to establish their identity to the general public, families, and child care providers. 9.3.5 Unlimited parental access to their children Does the Lead Agency have procedures to ensure that parents have unlimited access to their children whenever their children are in the care of a provider who receives CCDF funds: [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: 9.3.6 Informing families about best practices in social and emotional health Describe how the Lead Agency shares information with families, providers, and the general public regarding the social-emotional and behavioral and mental health of young children, including positive behavioral intervention and support models based on research and best practices for those from birth to school age: The Lead Agency partners with the Illinois Network of Resource and Referral Agencies to provide Pyramid model training and technical assistance through the Illinois Trainers Network and the Gateways Registry. These trainings support the social emotional development and behavioral interventions of young children in center and home-based settings. Additionally, the Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Program support providers to build understanding and confidence to support the families in their care. Mental health consultants work in partnership with early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers to support the staff and adults who care for and educate young children through staff training and consultation. . Information regarding social-emotional and behavioral and mental health of young children is also addressed by local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&R). The staff support parents, based on identified need, and may provide referrals and/or resources to parents. Examples include, but are not limited to: Early Intervention, Home Visiting, WIC, early childhood program availability, or tips on a specific need identified in the conversation (e.g., healthy eating tips). The Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies make resources and services available via their website, mailings, in physical office locations, social media platforms, and newsletters. 9.3.7 Policies on the prevention of the suspension and expulsion of children a. The Lead Agency must have policies to prevent the suspension and expulsion of children from birth to age 5 in child care and other early childhood programs receiving CCDF funds. Describe those policies and how those policies are shared with families, providers, and the general public: The Lead Agency funds an Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation program to reduce suspension and expulsion in child care settings receiving CCDF funds. This program works in conjunction with the local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies to provide, training, technical assistance, and consultation to child care providers. Additionally, the Lead Agency and other state agency partners fund efforts to continue statewide implementation of the Pyramid Model. Public Act P.A. 100-0105: Preventing Expulsion of Children Birth to Five requires Providers to take documented steps to address the child’s behavioral and other needs in order to keep the child in care and if ultimately necessary the providers will work with families on a planned transition to alleviate disruption for care. IDCFS licensing regulations outlines steps required for licensed providers to complete when working with families on planned transitions. The Pyramid Model and Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation program are shared broadly on the Child Care Resource and Referral websites, through social media platforms, and newsletters. The Illinois Department of Early Childhood houses extensive resources for best practices on reducing suspension and expulsion. The Illinois Cares for Kids website provides links and resources to parents and the general public. Lastly, the Lead Agency shares a summary of licensing standards that includes enrollment and discharge procedures that is inclusive of the requirements for ￿planned transitions for child(ren) in care. b. Describe what policies, if any, the Lead Agency has to prevent the suspension and expulsion of school-age children from child or youth care settings receiving CCDF funds: The Lead Agency funds an Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation program to reduce suspension and expulsion in child care settings receiving CCDF funds. This program works in conjunction with the local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies to provide, training, technical assistance, and consultation to child care providers. Additionally, the Lead Agency and other state agency partners fund efforts to continue statewide implementation of the Pyramid Model. Public Act P.A. 100-0105: Preventing Expulsion of Children Birth to Five requires Providers to take documented steps to address the child’s behavioral and other needs in order to keep the child in care and if ultimately necessary the providers will work with families on a planned transition to alleviate disruption for care. IDEC licensing regulations outline steps required for licensed providers to complete when working with families on planned transitions. The Pyramid Model and Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation program are shared broadly on the Child Care Resource and Referral websites, through social media platforms, and newsletters. The Illinois Department of Early Childhood houses extensive resources for best practices on reducing suspension and expulsion. The Illinois Cares for Kids website provides links and resources to parents and the general public. Lastly, IDCFS shares a summary of licensing standards that includes enrollment and discharge procedures that is inclusive of the requirements for ￿planned transitions for child(ren) in care.