IDHS’ Division of Early Childhood is aware of issues with CCAP payment amounts for a specific set of child care providers whose payments were entered between 1/1/23-1/12/23. For some affected providers, co-payments may have been deducted more than once; union membership dues may not have been deducted; and/or some providers received multiple payments for the same certificate.

IDHS is working closely with Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies and with SEIU to resolve these issues for child care providers as quickly as possible, and IDHS will be in contact with affected providers directly regarding next steps to resolve the issues.  If you would like to reach out to us for assistance, you may:

• Call our automated phone line to check on the current status of your own payment: 800-804-3833
• Call our automated phone line for general information regarding the status of all child care payments: 217-524-9041;
• Leave a voice message regarding your specific child care payment issue or concern: 217-785-9160;
• Send an email and receive a response from a member of DEC staff : DHS.DEC.CSI@Illinois.gov

IDHS apologizes for the impact and inconvenience this has caused to our valued child care providers.  Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the children and families of Illinois.

A diverse selection of training covering topics such as child development, positive guidance, curriculum planning, ExceleRate IL, cultural sensitivity, special needs, and business practices.

Current Training Calendar (print version)
Education Navigators
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IDHS CCAP Training Requirements
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Specialized staff available to provide training, consultation, and FREE site visits.

ExceleRate Illinois (For licensed centers and homes)

Illinois supports the continuing professional development of child care practitioners.  In partnership with YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, the IL Department of Human Services (IDHS) is providing funds to assist an individual in pursuit of professional development in early care and education and school-age care. Funding is limited and is done on a reimbursement basis.

FY23 PDF Grant Application
W-9 Form

La YWCA Metropolitan Chicago está ofreciendo fondos para asistir a los individuos en la búsqueda de su desarrollo profesional en el cuidado y la educación temprana, y cuidado de edad escolar. Los fondos son proveídos por el Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Illinois (IDHS).

FY23 Fondos de Desarrollo Profesional Individual
Solicitud y Certificación del Número de Identificación del Contribuyente

The Quality Improvement Funds have been developed and are offered through the child care resource and referral agencies to assist and support programs that are choosing to work towards/maintain an ExceleRate™ IL Circle of Quality. There are three areas to the QI Funds: ExceleRate™ IL cohort, ExceleRate™ IL training stipend, and accreditation assistance. Please read the overview and the guidelines to determine which area(s) best meets your needs. Requests may be made in multiple areas.

The QI Funds are based on available funding. The QI Funds program is administered by YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. Funds are provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Applications and other required documentation can be submitted by:

• US mail
• Emailing application & required documentation to ECSGrants@ywcachicago.org

FY23 Quality Improvement Grant Application (English)
W-9 Form

Los Fondos QI han sido desarrollados y son ofrecidos a través de la agencias Child Care Resource and Referral para asistir y apoyar a los programas que eligen trabajar hacia / mantener un Círculo de Calidad ExceleRate™ IL. Hay tres áreas de los Fondos QI: ExceleRate™ IL cohorte, ExceleRate™ IL estipendio de entrenamientos y asistencia con la acreditación. Por favor, lea la descripción general y las instrucciones para determinar cuál área satisface mejor sus necesidades. Las solicitudes pueden hacerse en múltiples áreas.

Los Fondos QI están basados en fondos disponibles. El programa de Fondos QI es administrado por la YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. Los fondos son proveídos por el Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Illinois.

Solicitudes y documentación requerida pueden ser sometidas por:

• Correo general
• Enviar correo electrónico solicitud y documentos requeridos a: ECSGrants@ywcachicago.org

Fondos de Mejoramiento de la Calidad (FY23)
Solicitud y Certificación del Número de Identificación del Contribuyente

In partnership with YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, the Illinois Department of Human Services is providing funds to assist child care practitioners to achieve First Aid (FA)/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification. Funding is limited and is done on a reimbursement basis. Applications and other required documentation can be submitted by:

• • US mail
  • Emailing application & required documentation to ECSGrants@ywcachicago.org.

Specifics on each component are noted in the grant packet here: CPR/First Aid Certification Funds Application (Programa de Reembolso de Primeros Auxilios/RCP).

Illinois is committed to assisting License Exempt Providers providing safe quality care for children. One way to do that is with the Licensed Exempt Providers Health and Safety Improvement Funds. The Health and Safety Improvement Funds are based on available funding. The Funds program is administered by YWCA Metropolitan Chicago and provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Applications and other required documentation can be submitted by:

• • US mail
  • Emailing application & required documentation to ECSGrants@ywcachicago.org

Specifics on each component are noted in the grant packet. Recipients of this grant receive:

• Up to $500 for Licensed Exempt Childcare Centers (LECC)
• Up to $300 for Licensed Exempt Family Child Care (LEFCC) providers providing care in their own home
• Up to $150 for LEFCC providers providing care in child's home

Funds can be used for items related to LEFCC Health & Safety Self-Assessment Checklist such as First Aid Kits, fire extinguishers, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, safety gates, electrical safety plugs, cribs that meet standards, safety locked cabinets, safety locks, lead-free paint.

License Exempt Child Care Grant Application
Año Fiscal 22 Cuidado infantil exento de licencia Guía y solicitud de la subvención

Providers can check on the status of specific payments by calling IDHS’ Provider Assistance line at 800.804.3833 one working day after the payment was entered or two working days after the payment was approved.

• IDHS now has a phone number that provides additional payment updates and information: 217.524.9041
• Providers who enter payments via the IDHS IVR system can call 800.787.9316
• Providers can also see if a payment has been issued by using the Illinois State Comptroller website.
  • Enter SS# or FEIN (click OK)
  • For the next two pages click on gray boxes at the bottom (Payments and Find Warrants)
  • The most recent payment will be listed at top of the page.

Visit the Illinois State Comptroller Website

Note: Paper checks are mailed the working day after being issued. Direct deposit and debit card payments are usually in accounts two working days after being issued. Weekends and holidays are not working days.

Contact the IDHS Direct Deposit System – 217.557.0930

• Receive an authorization form from the Comptroller’s Electronic Commerce Division
• Payees already enrolled in Direct Deposit can make account changes