Early Childhood Program Matrix - Updated
An updated version of the Early Childhood Program Matrix is now available online and in PDF download.
PDF - 8 pages
Spotlight on Collaboration: Deepening Our Focus
2007 Forums Report
INTRODUCTION
Purposes
The purposes of the 2007 Collaboration Forums were:
- To spotlight promising collaboration practices and strategies to continue addressing opportunities and challenges in Illinois early care and education partnerships;
- To learn more about current successful Illinois community-based coalition strategies and practices;
- To determine next steps and actions to take away with local team members; and
- To inform conveners of additional technical assistance needs and issues.
Download 37-Page Report in PDF
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IDHS Child Care Collaboration Program Evaluation Report
November 2007
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), Bureau of Child Care and Development’s Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) completed this report, with the services of a consultant. DHS determined that it was time to evaluate its Child Care Collaboration Program, given the growth in early care & education in Illinois and the fact that the program has been implemented for three years.
The evaluation is primarily summative and qualitative, using the reported experiences of those most closely involved with the program - approved collaboration providers and the Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency staff that process DHS Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) applications
and determine eligibility. Other states’ Child Care Administrators were also surveyed and interviewed, for comparison purposes. The primary evaluation methods were a summary of annual reports, surveys, and key informant interviews.
The evaluation found the following top five benefits of the DHS Collaboration Program.
- Longer eligibility period and services in 1 location: more manageable for families, improved continuity of care, sibling benefits.
- Extended job loss grace period: increased average daily attendance, children stay longer, lower child
turnover rates.
- Overall program quality and parent involvement and additional services for families: program
quality increased in a variety of ways, parent involvement increased, and families receive additional
services, especially in times of crisis.
- New and increased community partnerships and collaboration: with community based organizations,
school districts and at the state level.
- Professional development, staff qualifications, and retention: increased professional development
opportunities and staff qualifications and retention.
Download 36-Page Report in PDF - 7MB
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Illinois Early Childhood Collaboration
The Illinois Early Childhood Collaboration web site was created to make collaboration models and resources accessible to the Illinois early care and education community. A project of the Collaboration and Integration Committee of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Child Care Advisory Council, the intent was to have one place to find information about early childhood collaboration.
This site describes collaboration models and provides information in three areas: program, community and family child care homes. In addition to general information, the site includes profiles of Illinois early care and education program and community collaborations. The IDHS Head Start State Collaboration Office funds its development and maintenance with the federal Head Start Collaboration grant.
IL Collaboration Profile Disclaimer
This web site is designed to illustrate a range of Illinois early care and education collaboration profiles and is not necessarily an endorsement of any particular model, program or agency. If you want specific forms, budgets, or have any questions about any of the profiles, contact information is provided for you on each Illinois collaboration profile.
