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.

1. Longer eligibility period and services in 1 location: more manageable for families, improved continuity of care, sibling benefits.
   
2. Extended job loss grace period: increased average daily attendance, children stay longer, lower child
   turnover rates.
   
3. 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.
   
4. New and increased community partnerships and collaboration: with community based organizations,
   school districts and at the state level.
   
5. Professional development, staff qualifications, and retention: increased professional development
   opportunities and staff qualifications and retention.

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