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learn morelearn moreHead Start Program Performance Standards
learn morelearn moreThere are safe in-person preschool options available for every early learner in Chicago! The early bird period ends Monday, May 17 at NOON, making this the best time to submit your child’s preschool applications.
learn morelearn moreThe following link is to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Part 407 Licensing Standards:
learn morelearn moreFamily vaccination clinics at City Colleges of Chicago will offer Pfizer and Moderna for children 6 months through 4 years old, as well as Pfizer vaccines and booster doses to all Chicagoans. All clinics will be open 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Registration is recommended and is available at the links below. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows.
Read MoreFamily vaccination clinics at City Colleges of Chicago will offer Pfizer and Moderna for children 6 months through 4 years old, as well as Pfizer vaccines and booster doses to all Chicagoans. All clinics will be open 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Registration is recommended and is available at the links below. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows.
Winter dates are now available at https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid19-vaccine/home/city-sites.html
*Please remember to bring the COVID-19 vaccination card you received from your medical provider.
Application is closing soon! The Department of Family and Support Services has opened an initial application round for the Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0, which will provide one-time, $500 relief payments to up to 4,000 eligible Chicagoans in its first round of payments.
Read MoreThe Department of Family and Support Services has opened an initial application round for the Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0, which will provide one-time, $500 relief payments to up to 4,000 eligible Chicagoans in its first round of payments. The purpose of the fund ($14.68M in total) is to provide relief to low-income Chicagoans who had difficulties accessing prior federal stimulus payments, including Dependent Youth, Dependent Adults, Domestic Workers, and Undocumented Residents.
This initial round of applications is open to Chicago Residents who claimed a Dependent 17 years or older on their 2019 taxes. The person submitting this application must be the individual who filed the taxes in 2019.
Residents of Chicago must also meet the following criteria to apply:
This application will be open through Saturday, December 31, 5:00pm. Residents can visit www.chicash.org to learn more and apply.
The DFSS-CCAP team was informed by the State that all childcare agencies interested in assisting the immigrant families coming to Chicago who are in need of childcare can enroll these families for childcare under CCAP.
Read MoreThe DFSS-CCAP team was informed by the State that all childcare agencies interested in assisting the immigrant families coming to Chicago who are in need of childcare can enroll these families for childcare under CCAP. These families will go under the criteria of CCAP Protective Services Child Care (servicing children experiencing homelessness). Agencies will be able to provide these families up to 6 (six) months of childcare that they will be reimbursed for. Please review the link below that explains the policy and/or contact the DFSS-CCAP management staff, Margaret Jordan at margaret.jordan@cityofchicago.org for more information. Policy: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=88186
The federal health officials approved the COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months old. Vaccines are the reason Chicago has continued to see record-low hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 this spring and summer, despite a recent increase in cases, and we’re very excited that we’re now able to offer that protection to our youngest residents.
Read MoreFamily vaccination clinics at City Colleges of Chicago will offer Pfizer and Moderna for children 6 months through 4 years old, as well as Pfizer vaccines and booster doses to all Chicagoans. All clinics will be open 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Registration is recommended and is available at the links below. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines at Chicago.gov/COVIDvax. While CDPH recommends families first reach out to their pediatrician or family medical provider to see if appointments are available, there are also a number of clinics being hosted by the City and its community partners:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) Blue Door Neighborhood Center sites will host family vaccination clinics for anyone 6 months and up. Pfizer and Moderna will be offered. Back-to-school and/or routine pediatric vaccines are also available. Reservations are recommended but walk-ins are also accepted. Visit the links below to view the schedule for each location and register.
Family vaccination clinics at Arturo Velasquez Institute in partnership with Alivio Medical Center five days a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays-Saturdays) at 2800 S. Western Ave. Walk-ins welcome. Call 773-254-1400 or text AMCPILSEN to 773-305-6064 to schedule a vaccine appointment. Protect Chicago At Home has expanded to vaccinate anyone 6 months or older. Up to 10 people can be vaccinated at a time for free, offering a great opportunity for the entire family to get up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses. Make an at-home appointment at Chicago.gov/AtHome or by calling 312-746-4835 – weekend and evening appointments available.Standing CDPH immunization clinics will also offer Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for anyone 6 months and up by appointment only. Back-to-school and routine pediatric vaccines are also available.
Need help finding a vaccine near you? Visit Vaccines.gov, a free, online service that you can use to search for pharmacies and providers or call the City’s COVID-19 call center at 312-746-4835. COVID-19 vaccines are free, no government-issued ID or insurance is required.
Click here to view the Interim COVID-19 Immunization Schedule for 6 Months of Age and Older!
There are plenty of no-cost or low-cost early childhood education options for every child from birth through 5 years old. Enroll today!
Read MoreCommunity-based early learning programs may also be referred to as Early Head Start, Prevention Initiative, or Early Intervention.
Who do they serve?
Children aged birth to three years old from qualifying families
What do they provide?
Community-based early learning programs may be referred to as Universal Pre-kindergarten, Preschool, Head Start or Child Care.
Who do they serve?
Universal Pre-kindergarten serves 4 year olds while all other preschool programs serve 3- and 4-year-old children from qualifying families.
What do they provide?
Click here to view the walk through for the application!
Every young person in Chicago connects to a variety of rich, engaging, safe, and youth-centered out-of-school experiences that empower them to discover and cultivate their talents, passions, skills, and identities; develop as physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy members of society; build relationships and networks with peers and mentors; and explore multiple pathways to college, careers, trades, entrepreneurship, and life-long learning.
Read MoreAccess and participation in Chicago’s diverse out-of-school opportunity ecosystem must be equitable (not equal)across race, gender identities, age, disability, immigration status, income, neighborhood, and other identities, resulting in all young people (as well as their families, mentors, and caring adults) leveraging community assets and the city’s resources to build positive futures for themselves and their communities.
Almost 15 million enrollees, including children, young adults, and other vulnerable populations, could be at risk of losing Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage, though many may be eligible for other coverage options, including through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Read MoreThe attached Dear Colleague Letter from ACF Assistant Secretary January Contreras outlines actions ACF grant recipients and partners can take to help families avoid losing health care coverage. The letter is also available here: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/policy-guidance/medicaid-and-childrens-health-insurance-program-chip-covid-19-public-health
Chicago Moves is a financial assistance program aimed at providing financial relief for Chicago residents struggling with transportation expenses. By applying to this program, you have the opportunity to receive a $150 prepaid gas card or a $50 prepaid transit cards.
Read MoreChicago Moves is a financial assistance program aimed at providing financial relief for Chicago residents struggling with transportation expenses.
By applying to this program, you have the opportunity to receive a $150 prepaid gas card or a $50 prepaid transit cards. Applications for Chicago Moves will open on April 27, 2022, and cards will be distributed every month from May through September. Deadlines for each lottery will be on the 1st of the month from May-September. If you are not selected in the month in which you applied, you will be automatically enrolled in the lottery for the following month.
As part of Mayor Lightfoot’s commitment to ensuring an equitable recovery, the pilot will provide $500 monthly cash payments to 5,000 residents hit hardest by the pandemic over the course of 12 months. Application is now open until May 13, 2022.
Read MoreThe Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot is a $31.5 million dollar commitment from Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the City of Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services as part of her effort to tackle poverty and put residents at the center of the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 5,000 Chicagoans will be selected through an open application and a citywide lottery to receive $500 per month for twelve months, with no strings attached. That means that there are no limitations on how the money can be spent by recipients. The Mayor believes that people living with poverty simply do not have enough money to make ends meet. Cash assistance changes that circumstance and empowers residents to decide how to best meet their financial needs and goals.
The 2022-2023 Chicago Early Learning (CEL) Preschool Application is now open! This year, families will be able to complete preschool applications on their phones with our new and improved mobile-friendly Pre-K application.
Read MoreApplications now open! It’s never too early to apply for preschool! There are plenty of no-cost or low-cost early education options for every child from birth through 5 years old in Chicago, including your program. From full-day to some extended-day options available, there are programs to meet early learners with where they’re at in their development. This year, families will be able to complete preschool applications on their phones with our new and improved mobile-friendly Pre-K application.
