Dedicated to strengthening
the lives of Chicago children, families and communities
The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) Children Services Division (CSD) is dedicated to strengthening the lives of Chicago Children, Families, and Communities. We manage Chicago Early Learning (CEL) programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, Preschool For All (PFA), and Prevention Initiative (PI) throughout Chicago particularly those most in need from birth to five years of age.
Latest Provider News
Citywide Parent Policy Council (CPPC) Elections
The CPPC will hold Officer & Community Representative elections on December 16, 2020, 3:00-5:30 PM.
The CPPC Consists of current Head Start Parent Members elected from each of the City of Chicago’s 53 delegate agencies and Community Representatives that may be former Head Start parents or members of the community with subject matter expertise in areas that impact Head Start Families.
If you are a CPPC parent member . . .
And would like to run for office, please work with your delegate agency to submit an application to Tosha Smith at tosha.smith@cityofchicago.org. Find the application here: 20-21 CPPC Nomination Application.
If you are interested in becoming a Community Representative . . .
Submit application to Tosha Smith at tosha.smith@cityofchicago. Find the application here: 20-21 CPPC Nomination Application
To find out more you are welcome to attend . . .
The CPPC Officers Virtual House Panel
December 4, 2:00
Hosted by the current CPPC Participation Committee
In anticipation of the election, the CPPC Participation Committee will be hosting an Open House Panel with current and former CPPC Officers who will share their experiences and discuss the benefits of serving. Parents and Potential Community Representatives are encouraged to attend. Zoom information is on the flyer: CPPC Open House Flyer
For more information about the role of CPPC Officers click here: CPPC Officers Election 2020
For more information about becoming a Community Representative click here: Seeking Community Representatives
To register for the December 16 Elections Zoom Meeting:
Please email Tosha Smith at tosha.smith@cityofchicago.org.
Chicago Early Learning Program Locator
Finding quality in Early Learning Education programs for your child has never been this easy! Whether you are looking for a program near your home or near your job, the Chicago Early Learning Program Locator can help you find what you're looking for. There are many Early Learning Education programs for children ages birth to five with varying services.
Click here: http://https//www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/chicagoearlylearning/home.html
CSD Update
Stay updated with CSD! We recommend all CEL program leaders and management to sign up to receive updates. If you are interested in receiving the CSD Update, please contact Mara Martinez at mara.martinez@cityofchicago.org.
Chicago Early Learning Standard Manual
The Chicago Early Learning Standards (CELS 2.0) Manual has been revised and approved by the Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunity (CCUO) and the Citywide Parent Policy Council (CPPC). This manual includes the policies and procedures required by the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) for all DFSS-funded Chicago Early Learning (CEL) programs regardless of funding streams.
Click here (CEL) to download the Manual
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Policies and Procedures with Some Modifications That Are Effective July 1
A registration link for a CCR&R/Site webinar on these topics for next week will be sent soon by IDHS and DFSS will forward to its delegates upon release. IDHS will also cover issues dealing with eligible days and copayments for school age children starting in September during the webinar.
Click here to download the policies and procedures
COVID-19 & CDPH Interim Guidance
CDPH Cover letter
CDPH Guidance
Each case of COVID-19 in any type of childcare facility should prompt a contact to your DCFS licensing office and Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). As of July 13, 2020, we are asking facilities to report EVERY case through the confidential CDPH COVID-19 Online Case Report Form: http://redcap.link/chicovidreport
In order to complete the form, you will need the following information:
· Total number of classrooms at your facility
· Total number of classrooms impacted
· Total number of students at your facility
· Total number of staff at your facility
· Total number of students thought to be exposed
· Total number of staff thought to be exposed
· The positive individual’s reported or observed symptom onset date
· The positive individual’s last date at the facility
· Additional optional information includes test date (if known), testing provider (if known), primary care provider (if known).
If your facility has 2 or more cases (apart from household members) that involve 2 or more different classrooms, call 311 and ask to speak to the medical director on-call to discuss management.
Please review and share with the appropriate staff within your agency and program. As a reminder, along with reporting any positive case to CDPH you are also required to report to your Licensing Rep and to DFSS.
Intergovernmental Agreement
This is a current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Region V Head Start, and Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) regarding enrolling foster children into Head Start and Early Head Start and working with DCFS.
Intergovernmental Agreement: Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and Illinois Head Start/Early Head Start Programs
View All Provider News Here
Citywide Parent Policy Council (CPPC) Elections
The CPPC will hold Officer & Community Representative elections on December 16, 2020, 3:00-5:30 PM.
The CPPC Consists of current Head Start Parent Members elected from each of the City of Chicago’s 53 delegate agencies and Community Representatives that may be former Head Start parents or members of the community with subject matter expertise in areas that impact Head Start Families.
If you are a CPPC parent member . . .
And would like to run for office, please work with your delegate agency to submit an application to Tosha Smith at tosha.smith@cityofchicago.org. Find the application here: 20-21 CPPC Nomination Application.
If you are interested in becoming a Community Representative . . .
Submit application to Tosha Smith at tosha.smith@cityofchicago. Find the application here: 20-21 CPPC Nomination Application
To find out more you are welcome to attend . . .
The CPPC Officers Virtual House Panel
December 4, 2:00
Hosted by the current CPPC Participation Committee
In anticipation of the election, the CPPC Participation Committee will be hosting an Open House Panel with current and former CPPC Officers who will share their experiences and discuss the benefits of serving. Parents and Potential Community Representatives are encouraged to attend. Zoom information is on the flyer: CPPC Open House Flyer
For more information about the role of CPPC Officers click here: CPPC Officers Election 2020
For more information about becoming a Community Representative click here: Seeking Community Representatives
To register for the December 16 Elections Zoom Meeting:
Please email Tosha Smith at tosha.smith@cityofchicago.org.
Chicago Early Learning Program Locator
Finding quality in Early Learning Education programs for your child has never been this easy! Whether you are looking for a program near your home or near your job, the Chicago Early Learning Program Locator can help you find what you're looking for. There are many Early Learning Education programs for children ages birth to five with varying services.
Click here: http://https//www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/chicagoearlylearning/home.html
CSD Update
Stay updated with CSD! We recommend all CEL program leaders and management to sign up to receive updates. If you are interested in receiving the CSD Update, please contact Mara Martinez at mara.martinez@cityofchicago.org.
Chicago Early Learning Standard Manual
Click here (CEL) to download the Manual
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Policies and Procedures with Some Modifications That Are Effective July 1
A registration link for a CCR&R/Site webinar on these topics for next week will be sent soon by IDHS and DFSS will forward to its delegates upon release. IDHS will also cover issues dealing with eligible days and copayments for school age children starting in September during the webinar.
Click here to download the policies and procedures
COVID-19 & CDPH Interim Guidance
CDPH Cover letter
CDPH Guidance
Each case of COVID-19 in any type of childcare facility should prompt a contact to your DCFS licensing office and Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). As of July 13, 2020, we are asking facilities to report EVERY case through the confidential CDPH COVID-19 Online Case Report Form: http://redcap.link/chicovidreport
In order to complete the form, you will need the following information:
· Total number of classrooms at your facility
· Total number of classrooms impacted
· Total number of students at your facility
· Total number of staff at your facility
· Total number of students thought to be exposed
· Total number of staff thought to be exposed
· The positive individual’s reported or observed symptom onset date
· The positive individual’s last date at the facility
· Additional optional information includes test date (if known), testing provider (if known), primary care provider (if known).
If your facility has 2 or more cases (apart from household members) that involve 2 or more different classrooms, call 311 and ask to speak to the medical director on-call to discuss management.
Please review and share with the appropriate staff within your agency and program. As a reminder, along with reporting any positive case to CDPH you are also required to report to your Licensing Rep and to DFSS.
Intergovernmental Agreement
This is a current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Region V Head Start, and Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) regarding enrolling foster children into Head Start and Early Head Start and working with DCFS.
Intergovernmental Agreement: Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and Illinois Head Start/Early Head Start Programs
