Provider Newsletter | September 7, 2023

HURRY! COMPLETE YOUR PROVIDER SURVEY FOR IDHS

This is a reminder that IDHS is conducting a provider survey to inform the new workforce compensation contracts, which will become available in 2024. The survey will be used to:

  • Establish workforce compensation contract amounts that are informed by the real, current costs that child care providers face.
  • Understand the current costs faced by different types of programs, including centers and family child care homes.
  • Update Illinois’s child care cost model, which estimates the typical cost of providing child care in Illinois. 

The deadline for this survey has been extended to Monday, September 11, 2023. All full-day, full-year, licensed providers are encouraged to fill out the survey. If you have already completed the survey, thank you!

You will need your Org ID to complete the survey.
Org ID: [ORG_ID]
Address: [ADDR_LINE_1], [ADDR_CITY], IL

The more providers who complete the survey, the more accurately the workforce compensation contracts will reflect the cost of raising wages. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to fill it out!

The survey will ask about how you staff your classroom(s), your full and part time staff, benefits, and other expenses such as rent, mortgages, and insurance. You may want to have your budget or financial statements on hand to assist you in finding the relevant information.   

Need help? Check out our FAQs or fill out this help request form and someone from the survey team will be in touch within two business days.

Thank you for your service to children and families and for taking time to share your input!

Este es un recordatorio de que IDHS está realizando una encuesta de proveedores para informar los nuevos contratos de compensación laboral, que estarán disponibles en 2024. La encuesta se utilizará para:

  • Establecer montos de contratos de compensación para la fuerza laboral que se basen en los costos reales y actuales que enfrentan los proveedores de cuidado infantil.
  • Comprender los costos actuales que enfrentan los diferentes tipos de programas, incluidos los centros y hogares de cuidado infantil familiar.
  • Actualizar el modelo de costos de cuidado infantil de Illinois, que estima el costo típico de brindar cuidado infantil en Illinois.   

La fecha límite para esta encuesta se extendió hasta el lunes 11 de septiembre de 2023. Se anima a todos los proveedores con licencia y de jornada y año completos a completar la encuesta. Si ya ha completado la encuesta, ¡gracias!

Necesitará su ID de organización para completar la encuesta. 
ID de organización: [ORG_ID]
DIRECCIÓN: [ADDR_LINE_1], [ADDR_CITY], IL

Haga clic aquí para completar la encuesta para centros de cuidado infantil, ahora disponible en español.

Cuantos más proveedores completen la encuesta, con mayor precisión los contratos de compensación de la fuerza laboral reflejarán el costo del aumento de los salarios. ¡Apreciamos mucho que se tome el tiempo para completarlo!

La encuesta le preguntará sobre cómo dota de personal a su programa, su personal de tiempo completo y parcial, beneficios y otros gastos como alquiler, hipotecas y seguros. Es posible que desee tener a mano su presupuesto o estados financieros para ayudarle a encontrar la información relevante.

¿Necesita ayuda? Consulte nuestras preguntas frecuentes o complete este formulario de solicitud de ayuda y alguien del equipo de la encuesta se comunicará con usted dentro de dos días hábiles.

¡Gracias por su servicio a los niños y las familias y por tomarse el tiempo para compartir sus comentarios!


1ST AID/CPR REIMBURSEMENT NOW AVAILABLE

Did you know you could be reimbursed for First Aid/CPR certification costs?

In partnership with CCRS, the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Early Childhood is providing funds to assist child care providers to achieve First Aid/CPR certification.

Application process: 

Submit a completed application along with the required supporting documentation:

  •  Proof of Gateways Registry Membership;
  • Completed Vendor Information Form; 
  • Proof of enrollment for payment to be made directly to the trainer/entity OR Receipt/proof of payment if requesting reimbursement. 
  • For Center Group Training – an attendance sheet for those attending/completing the course including the Gateways to Opportunity Registry Membership ID.

The application can be found at: https://ccrs.illinois.edu/files/2023/07/FY24-FA-CPR-APP-FINAL-BE.pdf

The Vendor Information Form can be found at: https://ccrs.illinois.edu/files/2022/04/Vendor-Information-Form-Paper-2022.pdf


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS

The Individual Professional Development Funds (IPDF) are designed to support professional development in early care and education.

· Based on available funding, individual practitioners currently employed by center-based programs or family home programs (licensed or license exempt) that provide care as defined by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) may apply for these funds.

· Covers the cost of individual registration fees associated with conferences/workshops not required by ExceleRate Illinois and fees associated with webinars/online training that is Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry-approved.

· Covers costs associated with the following credentials:

o Child Development Associate (CDA)

o Certified Child Care Professional (CCP)

Upon approval, payment will be made as a reimbursement up to 80% of associated costs with an annual (July 1 – June 30) limit of $500 per person.


Don’t Make Me Puke!

Why Making Children Throw Up After Ingesting a Potentially Harmful Substance Is Not a Good Idea |



Learn More About IECAM Data

The Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map (IECAM), one of IEL’s partner projects, is often asked why the most recent data on its website are from one or two years ago. IECAM has published a “short but sweet” blog post at FAQs About Data Updates on IECAM | IECAM (illinois.edu) answering three frequently asked questions: Why doesn’t IECAM have real time or current year data? When is IECAM data updated? Does IECAM have a data availability chart I can download?


ASSESSMENT FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION

Early care and education providers and family members are adults who notice when the children in their care may have disabilities or developmental delays and would benefit from special education services. Our Special Education Assessment – Illinois Early Learning Project tip sheet series is a very helpful tool for learning more about the steps in that process. It is accompanied by our Assessment for Special Education | Illinois Early Learning Project  resource list.


TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE NOW AVAILABLE

The Employment Barrier Reduction Program through Champaign County Regional Planning Commission’s Assistance for People Receiving SNAP, TANF, Medicaid who are employed or seeking employment is now offering assistance with transportation costs.

More details about eligibility and how to apply available at: www.ccrpc.org/transportation-assistance]www.ccrpc.org/transportation-assistance

Maximum Benefit per Individual/Household: $1,400

Transportation Assistance Options:

  • Public Transportation/Annual Bus Pass ($300 maximum) o 
  • Auto Repair ($1,400 maximum) 
  • Requires proof of ownership, insurance and drivers’ license □ 
  • Requires 2 estimates

If approved, this program will assist with minor repairs to the vehicle (must be registered to the applicant) to return the vehicle to operable condition.  Examples include things such as: tires, brakes, water pump, battery, timing belt, chains, and lights.

Champaign County Regional Planning Commission 1776 E. Washington St., Urbana 61802 www.ccrpc.org