Resources
Click on the categories below to jump to certain sections of the page.
Ages and Stages SE
Registration is at www.startearly.org/PLN
Home Visitor Reflective Practice Groups
September-December flyer with dates for the Home Visitor Reflective Practice Groups. We continue to offer these in English and Spanish. Registration for the groups is at www.startearly.org/PLNEnglish Reflective Practive Groups September-December 2022; Spanish Reflective Practice Groups
Child Tax Credit– 3 weeks left for families to claim the Child Tax Credit, if they did not receive monthly CTC payments in 2021 and have not yet filed a tax return. See the following resources: a helpful FAQ and a new video from the IRS to support those in claiming this benefit by the Nov. 15 deadline.
Governor Pritzker Launches Illinois Cares for Kids
Statewide Enrollment Campaign “I Got Love / ¡Siento Amor!”
Governor JB Pritzker announced the launch of “I Got Love / ¡Siento Amor!”, the statewide enrollment campaign for childcare and early education services, featuring Illinois artists, musicians, and production partners. More information on programs is available at www.illinoiscaresforkids.org/
Free Kindergarten Readiness Program
Illinois Cares for Kids is inviting all families to join Ready4K! Ready4K is a free research-based text messaging program for families with child(ren) ages 0-11 in Illinois. The program supports families, increases children’s learning, and provides a method for the State to share customized early childhood messaging with families. Want to learn more? Ready4K is hosting weekly information sessions to share about the program offer and discuss implementation. For questions, please reach out to LeeAnn Kiper at lkiper@inccrra.org.
Head Start Eligibility and SNAP
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued new guidance announcing the family-friendly policy of permitting families and guardians to use proof of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) receipt or eligibility as a pathway to enroll in Head Start.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Region 5 Office of Child Care has announced that the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is now open. The ACP is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices. Eligible households can enroll in the ACP through an approved provider or by visiting one of two simple and easy-to-use websites: ACPBenefit.org or GetInternet.gov.
Keep Medicaid Coverage
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is preparing for the end of the Federal Covid-19 Public Health Emergency. They will need to send out paperwork and are asking Medicaid customers to update their mailing address if it has changed. Families can update their address with Illinois Medicaid by calling 877-805-5312 from 7:45 am to 4:30 pm or visit the website.