Illinois Child Care Assistance Program

10/22/2026

Lead poisoning can cause serious and long-term harm to your child and the scary part is, you might not even know they’ve been exposed.

Even small amounts of lead can:
• Lower IQ
• Cause learning and behavior problems
• Lead to developmental delays

📅️ Symptoms aren’t always obvious and may look like everyday issues:
• Headaches or stomachaches
• Sleep troubles or decreased appetite
• Hyperactivity or irritability

👉Take precautions to make sure your child isn’t exposed, especially infants, who are most vulnerable.

Lead poisoning can cause severe and long-lasting damage to your child. It is important to take precautions to ensure your infant is not exposed to any amount of lead. Even small amounts can cause lower IQs, learning difficulties, and behavior problems. Not every child who is exposed to lead shows th...

10/19/2026

Need Help Paying for Child Care?

The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) may help eligible Illinois families pay for child care while parents or caregivers are working or attending school.

Eligibility can depend on:
👶 Your child’s age
💰 Household income
📅 Your work or school schedule

Want to see if your family may qualify? Check your eligibility and get more information below.

Child care can be costly. The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can help you pay for it! The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps families to pay for child care while they are working or attending school. Eligibility depends on the age of children, family income, and your schedule. This res...

10/16/2026

💞 💪 🤱 Give your child a strong start from the very beginning. Home visiting and doula programs offer prenatal families and families with children age 0-3 personalized support, trusted guidance, and connections to helpful resources to help families and little ones thrive.

🔗 To learn more, visit our Home Visiting page on our website, or go directly to https://igrowillinois.org/what-is-home-visitng/

💞 💪 🤱 Bríndele a su hijo un comienzo sólido desde el principio. Los programas de visitas domiciliarias y de doulas ofrecen a las familias en etapa prenatal y a aquellas con niños de 0 a 3 años apoyo personalizado, orientación confiable y acceso a recursos útiles para ayudar a las familias y a los más pequeños a prosperar.

🔗 Para obtener más información, visite la página de Visitas a Domicilio en nuestro sitio web, o vaya directamente a https://igrowillinois.org/what-is-home-visitng/

10/15/2026

October is National Bullying Prevention Month🧡

Let’s work together to create a world where all kids feel safe, supported, and included.

The Choose Kindness Project offers trusted support from leading national organizations focused on:
✅ Bullying prevention
✅ Intentional inclusion
✅ Mental wellness

Parents and educators can explore new toolkits and step-by-step guides designed to
provide real, actionable support.

Working together on bullying prevention, intentional inclusion and youth mental wellness, we can help kids create the futures that they imagine.

10/13/2026

Supporting Young Children Starts with Supporting Their Caregivers️❤️

Early childhood educators and caregivers play a vital role in nurturing the social-emotional development of young children. These early experiences help build the foundation for lifelong learning, relationships, and well-being.️

Every child and family is unique, and they may connect with early childhood programs in different ways. Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (I/ECMHC) helps early childhood professionals respond to children’s changing developmental and emotional needs. I/ECMHC work in partnership with early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers to support the staff and adults who care for and educate young children.

Use the I/ECMHC database to locate a qualified consultant near you.

Illinois, Gateways, Registry

10/08/2026

10/06/2026

October is Safe Sleep Month! Creating a safe sleep environment for your baby is one of the most important steps you can take to protect them from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and sleep-related suffocation.

Remember the ABC’s of Safe Sleep:
✅ Alone
✅ Back
✅ Crib

Click here for important tips and resources.

Follow safe sleep practices for your infant. Following safe sleeping practices with your infant helps protect them from Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID or SIDS) and sleep suffocation. Sleep suffocation is one of the leading causes of infant death in Illinois. There are some simple practices you...

10/05/2026

Tips for Choosing Child Care

Did you know that in the first three years of life, babies form over 1 million neurological connections severy second?🧠✨

These early years are critical for growth, development, and learning. Babies are constantly learning from the world around them while forming important emotional attachments that help them feel safe, secure, and supported.

When choosing child care, consider:
• Your preferences & your child’s personality
• Observe the program in action
• Look at the environment
• Be aware of health and safety issues
• Meet with the person who will care for your child
• Discuss your involvement as the parent

✨Choosing quality child care is an important step in supporting your child’s early development and building a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Table of Contents Illinois Cares for Kids NEW Supports for Families Types of Care for My Child What should I look for in a high-quality program? How can I find care near me? How can I find help paying for care? Where can I find information about care

09/29/2026

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

09/24/2026

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.💙

Making a report can have lasting impacts on families, especially when their needs could be better met through community support.