CommunityWorks: Early Care & Education Initiative
Goal
The first CommunityWorks Early Care and Education initiative Impact Plan expired in 2013 although its impact significantly remains. Its goal was to increase the quality, availability and affordability of child care in DeKalb County while increasing the support of the business community.
Results
DCCF partnered with 4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care to support a full time Quality Rating System (QRS) Specialist position. Grants issued in 2008-2012 enabled child care programs to enhance the care they provide while at the same time positioning programs to receive additional state funding to further enhance their programs. Between 2010 and 2012, over $1 million has been received by programs in DeKalb County from leveraging DCCF’s funding. All eligible nonprofit centers in DeKalb County achieved star ratings and the county is home to two of the six 4-star rated child care centers in Illinois. DCCF’s 2012 $9,550 grant assisted 4-C to meet the increased need of consultation and training of DeKalb County’s nonprofit child care centers in preparation for Illinois; redesigned Quality Rating and Improvement System (CRIS). Going forward, 4-C will be able to sustain the Specialist position without need for DCCF support.
Stay Tuned!
The new CommunityWorks Early Care and Education impact plan is currently under development. As a result, CommunityWorks is not accepting applications. For more information, please contact Anita Zurbrugg, DCCF Program Director, 815-748-5383.
