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

have access to affordable child care so that they can remain in the workforce. In order to qualifyfor assistance, a family's income must be at or below 50 percent of the State Median Income($34,584 for a family of four in FY05) and be engaged in an allowable activity, such as work orcertain education and training activities. All parents must pay a co-payment toward the cost ofcare, and if a parent loses her job or gets a raise, her child may lose eligibility. State child careregulations do not require teachers with 2- or 4-year college degrees nor adherence to educationalstandards.• HEAD START served 36,600 three- and four-year-olds and 2,700 infants and toddlers in FY05 witha proven program of family support, education, and comprehensive services such as health, mentalhealth, dental care, and social services. The goal of this federally funded and administeredprogram is to "break the cycle of poverty" and improve children's chances for success in schooland later life. Participants' household income must be at or below the federal poverty level(currently $18,850 for a family of four). The vast majority of Head Start programs are half day, andno fees are charged for services. All staff, including bus drivers and lunchroom aides, receivespecialized training, but only 50 percent of teachers need to have associate degrees.• BLOCK GRANT INFANT/TODDLER SERVICES: 11 percent of total Block Grant funds supportprograms that work with the parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers to promote healthychild development.• OTHER INFANT/TODDLER SERVICES: Numerous other programs serving pregnant women andchildren from birth to age three are funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services, theIllinois Department of Public Health, and the Illinois Department of Health Care and FamilyServices (formerly the Illinois Department of Public Aid).28