IDHS Public Hearings
On October 6th and 7th, the Illinois Department of Human Services held public hearings on the proposed rule changes to the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which would make the changes from July 1st, 2015, permanent. More than 50 parents, providers, and advocates testified on the widespread impact of the rule already in effect. Parents shared the hard decisions they have been forced to make without CCAP, including pulling their children out of high quality programs and passing up job promotions. The Department heard from providers who have classrooms sitting empty, and providers who are caring for children without payment, a service they cannot sustain much longer. Maria Whelan and Sessy Nyman from our advocacy partners at Illinois Action for Children, also testified, highlighting the results of our survey to illustrate to the Department that these devastating stories are a reality for parents and providers all across the state. Click here to read the IAfC Policy Brief discussing the results of our survey.
We thank all of those who testified or went to support people that shared their stories in Springfield. The hearings were a great opportunity to continue giving voice to the harmful impact of the CCAP changes on families and children and to tell the Governor and the General Assembly to support working families and restore the CCAP program.
Important News Coverage:
Brown: An Illinois disaster you may be missing
Providers, clients bash Rauner administration changes to day care eligibility
Actions You Can Take
Send a comment to JCAR opposing the changes to CCAP