August 25, 2017 – Cook County Public Health & Human Services encourages citizens to be aware of two important updates within the Child Care Assistance Program:

Early Learning Scholarships Now Available
Early Learning Scholarships increase access to high-quality early childhood education for low income families. Families receiving public assistance, including child care assistance, are income-eligible for scholarships. Families not receiving public assistance with income below 185% of the Federal Poverty Guideline are also income-eligible for scholarships.

Examples of scholarship uses for families receiving child care assistance:

• Copayments
• Activity fees
• Prices not covered by the maximum rates
• Breaks in authorization or additional hours of attendance not paid by child care assistance.

Families should contact their area scholarship administrator to see if scholarships are available and for help in finding eligible programs. Cook County’s scholarship administrator is the Northland Foundation: 1-800-433-4045 or 218-260-2736, [email protected]
www.northlandfdn.org/els

 Application forms are also available in the lobby of Cook County Public Health & Human Services Offices, 2nd Floor, Cook County Courthouse.

 Draft 2018-2019 Cook County Child Care Fund Plan Available for Review

The Child Care Plan outlines how Cook County administers the Child Care Assistance Program. The Department of Human Services reviews and approves the plan.

Parents, child care providers and other stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft plan atwww.co.cook.mn.us/ccap and submit comments by Sept. 18, 2017 to [email protected]

Contact:  Alison McIntyre, Financial Assistance Supervisor - Cook County PHHS, 218-387-3623 or [email protected]