With so many families working evenings, weekends and odd hours, license exempt providers (also known as family, friend and neighbor care), play an important role in the state’s Child Care Assistance program (also known as CCAP). CCAP is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and assists low-income working families with paying for child care services. Any legally operating child care provider or program may choose to accept reimbursement payments from the CCAP for child care services provided.

To be paid through the CCAP program, ALL license-exempt providers must:

•  be 18 years of age or older.
• care for no more than three (3) children including their own, unless all the children are from one other family.
• successfully clear a background check.

In addition to the above requirements, non-relative license exempt providers are also required to:

• complete fingerprinting
• complete required health and safety training.
• agree to participate in an annual health and safety home visit.

The following license- exempt providers cannot receive CCAP payments:

•  the child’s mother or father, or a stepparent who is currently married to the child’s parent and is living in the same household as the child, 
•  anyone who is included in the same public assistance grant as the child (for those families receiving such assistance),
• a person living in the home who is a parent of the child’s sibling or has a child in common with the applicant, or If such a person is available and qualified to care for the child in the home, child care will not be approved.
• the sibling of children needing care who is living in the same household.

Providers may be employed but will have to provide documentation that the outside employment does not interfere with the child care that is approved by the Department.

Would your school-age program/facility like to become a CCAP Provider?

Complete the appropriate form below and follow the instructions on the form.
Complete if you are exempt from licensing but want to be a CCAP Provider:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kLtQuMCKhOR65Pl_o1gND55gTi_3hCcw/view?usp=share_link

Complete if you are exempt from licensing but do not want to be a CCAP Provider:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E2tPzjE-tvDQuA3m0LkMsLifD9PRe-2C/view?usp=share_link

If you need assistance with these forms or the process, contact the DCFS Licensing office nearest you listed on the forms.

Would your preschool program/facility like to become a CCAP Provider?
Contact DCFS Licensing at 618-993-7100 for more information.