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learn morelearn moreHead Start Program Performance Standards
learn morelearn moreThere are safe in-person preschool options available for every early learner in Chicago! The early bird period ends Monday, May 17 at NOON, making this the best time to submit your child’s preschool applications.
learn morelearn moreThe following link is to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Part 407 Licensing Standards:
learn morelearn moreDo you still need to enroll your child in a program? Don't worry! There are open seats available at programs citywide. Apply today for the best chance of getting a seat in one of the available programs before they fill up.
Read MoreMany families have already enrolled their children in one of our 500+ high-quality early learning programs across the city. While our applications are open all year, seats are limited.
Do you still need to enroll your child in a program? Don't worry! There are open seats available at programs citywide. Apply today for the best chance of getting a seat in one of the available programs before they fill up.
Read our step-by-step guide below if you need help finding an early learning program with open seats.
Community-Based Preschool and Early Learning Programs are citywide educational programs for children from 6-weeks to 5 years old, with options for home-visiting programs and prenatal services.
Community-Based Programs provide a wide range of support for families with little ones, including extended hours, smaller class sizes, and support services for the whole family. Community-Based sites include Head Start and Early Head Start Programs, Infant-Toddler programs and more.
The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services is dedicated to supporting a continuum of coordinated services to enhance the lives of Chicago residents, particularly those most in need, from birth through the senior years. If you are looking for resources such as child care, homeless services, community services center, and more, check out the DFSS website.
Read MoreThe Chicago Department of Family and Support Services is dedicated to supporting a continuum of coordinated services to enhance the lives of Chicago residents, particularly those most in need, from birth through the senior years. The department works to promote the independence and well-being of individuals, support families and strengthen neighborhoods by providing direct assistance and administering resources to a network of community-based organizations, social service providers and institutions.
Being protected against COVID-19 is easier than ever. The City of Chicago operates vaccination sites that are open to children 6 (six) months and older.
Read MoreBeing protected against COVID-19 is easier than ever. The City of Chicago operates vaccination sites that are open to children 6 (six) months and older.
Everyone on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) must reapply for their health insurance. The federal policy that kept people continuously enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP during the COVID-19 public health emergency has ended. Many children and adults may lose their coverage. Everyone enrolled in these programs will need to reapply for health insurance. It’s important to understand that each state has its own process and timeline for deciding eligibility criteria for continuing Medicaid.
Read MoreHead Start programs can help families by:
Send your questions and comments to the National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety at health@ecetta.info or (toll-free) 888-227-5125.
The 2023-2024 Chicago Early Learning Application is open! There are plenty of low-cost or no-cost early education options for every child from birth through 5 years old!
Read MoreThe 2023-2024 Chicago Early Learning Application will launch on Tuesday, April 11, 2023! There are plenty of low-cost or no-cost early education oprions for every child from birth through 5 years old!
This new service is a free, easy-to-access helpline that connects residents to the health and social service supports. Individuals from across Chicago and Cook County have a direct line that can help them get connected to food, housing, utility payment assistance, health care, transportation, childcare, employment, mental health, disaster information and assistance, and more.
Read MoreThis new service is a free, easy-to-access helpline that connects residents to the health and social service supports. Individuals from across Chicago and Cook County have a direct line that can help them get connected to food, housing, utility payment assistance, health care, transportation, childcare, employment, mental health, disaster information and assistance, and more.
Residents across Cook County can access 2-1-1 in the following ways:
Family vaccination clinics at City Colleges of Chicago will offer Pfizer and Moderna for children 6 months through 4 years old, as well as Pfizer vaccines and booster doses to all Chicagoans. All clinics will be open 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Registration is recommended and is available at the links below. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows.
Read MoreFamily vaccination clinics at City Colleges of Chicago will offer Pfizer and Moderna for children 6 months through 4 years old, as well as Pfizer vaccines and booster doses to all Chicagoans. All clinics will be open 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Registration is recommended and is available at the links below. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows.
Winter dates are now available at https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid19-vaccine/home/city-sites.html
*Please remember to bring the COVID-19 vaccination card you received from your medical provider.
Application is closing soon! The Department of Family and Support Services has opened an initial application round for the Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0, which will provide one-time, $500 relief payments to up to 4,000 eligible Chicagoans in its first round of payments.
Read MoreThe Department of Family and Support Services has opened an initial application round for the Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0, which will provide one-time, $500 relief payments to up to 4,000 eligible Chicagoans in its first round of payments. The purpose of the fund ($14.68M in total) is to provide relief to low-income Chicagoans who had difficulties accessing prior federal stimulus payments, including Dependent Youth, Dependent Adults, Domestic Workers, and Undocumented Residents.
This initial round of applications is open to Chicago Residents who claimed a Dependent 17 years or older on their 2019 taxes. The person submitting this application must be the individual who filed the taxes in 2019.
Residents of Chicago must also meet the following criteria to apply:
This application will be open through Saturday, December 31, 5:00pm. Residents can visit www.chicash.org to learn more and apply.
The DFSS-CCAP team was informed by the State that all childcare agencies interested in assisting the immigrant families coming to Chicago who are in need of childcare can enroll these families for childcare under CCAP.
Read MoreThe DFSS-CCAP team was informed by the State that all childcare agencies interested in assisting the immigrant families coming to Chicago who are in need of childcare can enroll these families for childcare under CCAP. These families will go under the criteria of CCAP Protective Services Child Care (servicing children experiencing homelessness). Agencies will be able to provide these families up to 6 (six) months of childcare that they will be reimbursed for. Please review the link below that explains the policy and/or contact the DFSS-CCAP management staff, Margaret Jordan at margaret.jordan@cityofchicago.org for more information. Policy: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=88186
The federal health officials approved the COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months old. Vaccines are the reason Chicago has continued to see record-low hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 this spring and summer, despite a recent increase in cases, and we’re very excited that we’re now able to offer that protection to our youngest residents.
Read MoreFamily vaccination clinics at City Colleges of Chicago will offer Pfizer and Moderna for children 6 months through 4 years old, as well as Pfizer vaccines and booster doses to all Chicagoans. All clinics will be open 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Registration is recommended and is available at the links below. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines at Chicago.gov/COVIDvax. While CDPH recommends families first reach out to their pediatrician or family medical provider to see if appointments are available, there are also a number of clinics being hosted by the City and its community partners:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) Blue Door Neighborhood Center sites will host family vaccination clinics for anyone 6 months and up. Pfizer and Moderna will be offered. Back-to-school and/or routine pediatric vaccines are also available. Reservations are recommended but walk-ins are also accepted. Visit the links below to view the schedule for each location and register.
Family vaccination clinics at Arturo Velasquez Institute in partnership with Alivio Medical Center five days a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays-Saturdays) at 2800 S. Western Ave. Walk-ins welcome. Call 773-254-1400 or text AMCPILSEN to 773-305-6064 to schedule a vaccine appointment. Protect Chicago At Home has expanded to vaccinate anyone 6 months or older. Up to 10 people can be vaccinated at a time for free, offering a great opportunity for the entire family to get up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses. Make an at-home appointment at Chicago.gov/AtHome or by calling 312-746-4835 – weekend and evening appointments available.Standing CDPH immunization clinics will also offer Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for anyone 6 months and up by appointment only. Back-to-school and routine pediatric vaccines are also available.
Need help finding a vaccine near you? Visit Vaccines.gov, a free, online service that you can use to search for pharmacies and providers or call the City’s COVID-19 call center at 312-746-4835. COVID-19 vaccines are free, no government-issued ID or insurance is required.
Click here to view the Interim COVID-19 Immunization Schedule for 6 Months of Age and Older!