Child Care assistance available to LE during crisis
March 25, 2020

This information comes to us from our friends at Fight Crime Invest in Kids and the Governor’s Office for Early Childhood Development:

Multiple agencies and partners throughout the state have developed several important resources we ask that you please share with your networks.

For essential workers seeking child care:

• A dedicated help line has been created so Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&Rs) can help connect essential worker families to emergency child care. Essential worker families should call toll-free (888) 228-1146. The helpline will be available from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Monday through Friday to answer calls, but callers will be able to leave a message 24 hours a day.  
• Click here and here for resources to help promote the helpline.   
• To find emergency child care, essential workers are encouraged to visit  COVID-19 Emergency Provider Search. 

For individuals who want to volunteer to support emergency child care: 

• Qualified volunteers who are willing to temporarily work in an Emergency Child Care home or center should complete an Emergency Child Care Staffing Survey. They will be contacted in case there is a need in their area. 

For child care providers who want to offer emergency child care to essential workers:

• The COVID-19: Emergency Child Care for Communities & Providers webpage contains a listing of important resources for child care providers and is being updated daily with guidance, frequently asked questions, and other materials.
• The COVID-19 for Early Childhood webpage contains a dated list of updates from Illinois state agencies, as well as resources for Head Start/Early Head Start programs and resources for families with young children.