Illinois Child Care Assistance Program

Child care can be costly. The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can help you pay for it.

The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps eligible families to pay for child care for children up to age 13 while they are working or attending school. Eligibility depends on the age of children, family income, and your schedule.

Applying for CCAP for the first time is easier than ever before with the Digital CCAP Application!

Get started today https://idec.illinois.gov/forparents/child-care-assistance-program.html

Kids are kids and sometimes playtime comes with minor cuts and bruises, especially on bony areas like the knees, shins, and forehead.

But not all bruises are the same. For children age 4 and younger, bruising in certain areas of the body can be a red flag for possible abuse. Knowing the signs can help protect a child. If something doesn’t look right or you suspect a child is being abused, speak up and report it.

📱Report suspected child abuse online: https://childabuse.illinois.gov
🚨In an emergency, call 1-800-25-ABUSE (252-2873).

You could be the person who helps keep a child safe.💙

State of Illinois | Online Child Abuse Neglect Reporting: Home Making a report can have lasting impacts on families, especially when their needs could be better met through community support.

Safe2Help Illinois is a 24/7 program where students can use a free app, text/phone, and website (Safe2HelpIL.com) to share information on school safety issues in a confidential environment.

This program is not intended to suspend, expel, or punish students. Rather, the goal is to encourage students to “Seek Help Before Harm.” Safe2HelpIL has developed a toolkit aimed at changing the culture in Illinois schools while also providing the resources to help parents and educators reinforce the components of this program.

Safe2Help Illinois Safe2Help Illinois is a 24/7 program for students to provide a platform to report school safety issues, resources to get help, and encouragement help others.

The quality of interaction and engagement received during the first five years of a child’s life shapes their ability to succeed.

From the moment each baby is born, they begin learning to make sense of the world around them. Parents remain the most important influence for their children from birth through young adulthood. One of the most important decisions you can make for your children is the type of early care and education they receive. While location, cost, and availability are all critical factors, the quality of the program is a primary consideration.

Find an quality Early Learning Program near you!
https://www.illinoiscaresforkids.org/provider-search/

September is National Preparedness Month and there are simple steps to help keep your family safe!

Disasters can happen anywhere, at any time and getting your household ready for them doesn’t have to break the bank. Try a few of these low-cost or no-cost steps and get started protecting your loved ones.

Learn more at the link below.

National Preparedness Month: Simple Steps to Help Keep Your Family Safe Major disasters are happening more often now, about once every two weeks. Add on the smaller emergencies that happen every day ─ like a fire in someone’s home ─ and it’s more important than ever for everyone to get their households prepared.

🔉IDEC is hosting a listening session on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, from 5 p.m.–6:30 p.m. to gather input on the State Fiscal Year (FY) 2028 budget (July 1, 2027-June 30, 2028).

➡To register to attend click here: https://illinois.webex.com/webappng/sites/illinois/meeting/register/36711a433d844944a3cebfce9779acf8?ticket=4832534b00000009185e1b57308163b2a98d1a5f2ff9b5a580485bb872357cc357224a037e1d8de8×tamp=1788526756539&RGID=r5649faf4adef82ad240ae2d13ee6c523&isAutoPopRegisterForm=false

💙Join in and share what you would like to see prioritized in the FY 2028 budget.
💡For more information visit their website at:
https://idec.illinois.gov/news/2026/idec-budget-listening-session.html

🔉IDEC organizará una sesión de escucha el martes 15 de septiembre de 2026, de 5:00 p. m. a 6:30 p. m., para recopilar opiniones sobre el presupuesto estatal para el año fiscal (AF) 2028 (del 1 de julio de 2027 al 30 de junio de 2028).

➡Para inscribirse y asistir, haga clic aquí:
https://illinois.webex.com/webappng/sites/illinois/meeting/register/36711a433d844944a3cebfce9779acf8?ticket=4832534b00000009185e1b57308163b2a98d1a5f2ff9b5a580485bb872357cc357224a037e1d8de8×tamp=1788526756539&RGID=r5649faf4adef82ad240ae2d13ee6c523&isAutoPopRegisterForm=false

💙Acompáñenos y comparta qué aspectos le gustaría que se priorizaran en el presupuesto del AF 2028.
💡Para más información, visite nuestro sitio web en: https://idec.illinois.gov/news/2026/idec-budget-listening-session.html

Early Childhood Home Visiting is a FREE, voluntary program that provides support, encouragement, and resources for families during pregnancy and throughout a child’s first five years.

Whether you’re expecting a baby, have questions about your child’s development, or are looking for extra parenting support, trained Home Visitors are here to help. They can answer questions, share child development information, and connect your family with healthcare and community resources.

To learn more about home visiting and to find a program near you, visit the link below.
https://idec.illinois.gov/forparents/home-visting-.html