top 5 things to know about

Top 5 Things you should know about

Illinois’ Child Care Assistance Program

The Child Care Assistance Program, known as CCAP,

provides low-income, working families with access

to quality affordable child care that allows them to continue

working.

How does the State of Illinois benefit from

funding these programs?

CCAP serves more than 170,000 children in

Illinois, and there are more than 13,000 licensed

providers in the state.

CCAP gives parents financial assistance to pay for child care so

they can go to work or attend college.

As much as 80% of a single parent’s income is

spent on child care.The average weekly cost

can be as much as $244/week for one child.

The cost of child care for two children per year ($27,244) can be higher than tuition and fees for two students at a 4-year Illinois public

college ($24,236).

Parents say without this assistance, they would have

to quit their job or quit college.

Child care providers say they would have to lay off staff or close.

CCAP also provides:• Consumer education and referrals for

parents to child care facilities in their community

• Training and assistance programs to child care providers to improve the quality of child care offered

• Databases on child care to give parents up-to-date information

IllinoisSenateDemocrats.com© Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus 2015

Learn more:

The Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and

Referral Agencies (INCCRRA)

Illinois Action for Children Statewide Costs

Illinois Action for Children Fact Sheet