Demand immediate action….Info Forward by Latino Policy Forum Noticias

As Governor Rauner prepares to deliver his inaugural state of the state address, child care assistance for more than 100,000 families is in jeopardy. Because the state underfunded the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) by $300 million in the current fiscal year— which ends June 30, 2015—the Illinois Department of Human Services has notified providers that payment delays will begin this month.

Approximately 95 percent of families who participate in the program are single parent households.  In order to participate in the program they must be working or going to school in addition to meeting income guidelines and making co-payments based on income.

Without state action, payment delays will get progressively longer and may result in service reductions.  In other words, new children may be denied access to the program and children currently receiving services may not be able to continue accessing high quality early care and education. 

TAKE ACTION!

Call your State Senator and State Representative right now and demand that they take action to resolve the child care assistance funding crisis.

Find out who your state legislators are and retrieve their Springfield phone number by opening this link, entering your address and confirming that what you typed is correct.

Our partners at Illinois Action for Children suggest the following talking points for parents and providers:

Talking Points for Parents:

• I am a working parent of (NAMES OF YOUR CHILDREN) and I live in (NAME OF YOUR LEGISLATOR) district. I rely on child care to work and support my family.My child benefits from having a safe, welcoming place to learn and play every day.
• I am calling to let you know that the Child Care Assistance Program is underfunded by almost $300 million and is on the verge of total collapse.
• For my family, solving this child care crisis will be the difference between me having a job or not being able to work in order to stay home with my children when they don’t have child care.
• My child learns so much when she/he is in child care.It is not fair that their learning will stop because of a problem they didn’t create. I urge you and the General Assembly to work with the Governor to solve this crisis.

For Providers:

• I work at (NAME OF YOUR CHILD CARE) in (NAME OF YOUR LEGISLATOR) district.I provide child care for (NUMBER OF) families and (NUMBER OF) children so parents can keep their jobs knowing their children are in a safe nurturing environment.
• In addition, I provide jobs for (NUMBER OF) staff.
• I am calling to let you know that the Child Care Assistance Program is underfunded by almost $300 million and is on the verge of total collapse.
• For many of the families I serve, solving this child care crisis will be the difference between them keeping their jobs or having to stay home with their children, or worse, leaving their children home alone or with a sibling.
• I urge you and the General Assembly to work with the Governor to solve this crisis.