Bill > HB4791

This bill expands eligibility for the Smart Start Child Care Workforce Compensation Program, a state initiative designed to support early childhood education providers, raise educator wages, and improve the quality of care, to include Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs that provide comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. Previously, the program primarily focused on licensed day care centers and homes. The bill amends the Smart Start Illinois Act to officially include these Head Start programs in the compensation program, aiming to strengthen the overall early childhood education system in Illinois by ensuring more providers can access these resources to enhance their services and support their workforce.

Education

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=4791&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104