Jones Raises Awareness of Expanded Child Care Assistance Program to Help Low-Income Families

CALUMET CITY, Ill. – State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, is calling attention to a recent expansion of Illinois’ Child Care Assistance Program, which will help more families receive safe, affordable daycare.

“Every family deserves access to affordable daycare,” Jones said. “Many working parents, especially single parents, depend on child care professionals to keep their children safe and help them learn. Unfortunately, sometimes that costs way too much money for a low-income family. I encourage every working parent or guardian to look into this new program to see if they are eligible for assistance, because our kids deserve the best.”

Jones is supporting an expansion of Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) program which grants child care assistance money to families making 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or less. This income level is an expansion of 15% from the previous 185% of the FPL. Jones has backed many initiatives like this to ensure that critical services are available for low-income families.

“Child care isn’t a luxury, it’s the first step in a long-term investment in better education, a productive economy and a stronger Illinois,” Jones said. “Kids who get full-time care when they are growing up are much more likely to develop the skills they need to do well in school and eventually get a job as a productive member of society. I will keep working hard to ensure that all working families get the resources they need.”