High-Quality Early Education For All of Illinois' Children - Ounce of ...

Appendix BIllinois' Early Childhood ProgramsThe Early Childhood Block Grant, administered by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE),supports early childhood education programs to ensure that children under five develop a strongfoundation for learning.• STATE PREKINDERGARTEN: In FY05, State PreK served 67,000 three- and four-year olds whobecause of their home and community environment are subject to such language, cultural,economic and like disadvantages that they have been determined to be at risk of academic failure.The goal of the program is to prepare children for success in school. Most classrooms are in publicschools and adhere to high standards regarding the educational program and parent andcommunity involvement. Eligibility is determined by a range of risk factors, includingdevelopmental delay, limited English proficiency, low family income, and low parental education.There is no income eligibility limit and no requirement that parents work. State PreK services aredelivered by certified teachers with compensation levels generally commensurate with those oflocal elementary school teachers.• EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION: An additional 17,700 children ages three and four withdisabilities or significant delays who have Individualized Education Plans were served by EarlyChildhood Special Education funded by federal, state, and local funds. These programs are free butrestricted to children who are at risk or those with disabilities and most are offered for a half dayonly.• CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CCAP), administered by the Illinois Department of HumanServices (IDHS), provided subsidies in FY05 to 45,600 three- and four-year-olds in working familieswith low incomes: 32,500 were served in child care centers, 8,800 in licensed family child carehomes, and 14,300 were cared for by friends and relatives in homes that are exempt from licensingrequirements. Of this total, almost 13,000 children received a child care subsidy in addition toState PreK and/or Head Start to help support full-workday, year-round education and care services.In addition, 48,500 children from six weeks up to three years of age received assistance throughCCAP: 16,000 were served in child care centers, 12,000 in licensed family child care homes, and20,500 were cared for by friends and relatives in homes that are exempt from licensingrequirements. The Child Care Assistance Program was created to ensure that low-income parents27