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Pritzker Administration Announces Expanded Child Care Assistance Program

CHICAGO DEFENDER — Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced expanded eligibility and affordability for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), taking effect today, October 1st. Families with income of 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or lower will now be able to receive child care assistance through CCAP, increased from previous eligibility set at 185% FPL.

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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (Photo by: jbpritzker.com)

By Chicago Defender

SPRINGFIELD/CHICAGO – Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced expanded eligibility and affordability for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), taking effect today, October 1st.

Families with income of 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or lower will now be able to receive child care assistance through CCAP, increased from previous eligibility set at 185% FPL.

The program also now allows families whose income increases up to 225 percent FPL to remain in the program if they previously qualified at 200 percent FPL or lower. This means a family of three could earn up to $42,660 ($3,555/month) at their initial application and remain eligible for assistance even if their income increases to $48,000 ($4,000/month).

“Early childhood care provides a foundation for our children and families to succeed and expanding access to quality care is a core priority for my administration,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’ve been committed to improving early childhood education and care for decades, and am so proud to increase our investment in this program to ensure more families can afford the quality care our children deserve.”

“Making child care more accessible gives working families, college students and teen parents an opportunity to continue pursuing their career goals without having to worry about having a safe place for their children to stay,” Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford said. “I am thankful for Governor Pritzker’s work in increasing eligibility for this program and look forward to the impact it will have on families across Illinois.”

Families will also have a three-month, graduated phase-out if their income increases above the 225% FPL “exit-level.” This means if a family of three’s income exceeds $48,000 (but stays under $63,840), they would still receive 90 days of subsidized child care.

“It’s so important that families know they have options for safe and affordable child care. Families who previously applied and were denied should revisit our website and check their eligibility again. Reliable child care is necessary for working families, students and young parents, and we want to make it easier for them,” said IDHS Secretary Grace B. Hou.

In addition to eligibility changes, IDHS has been working to promote the Child Care Assistance Program and encourage participation. In August 2019, 131,766 children were enrolled in CCAP, which is the highest enrollment number of the last three fiscal years. Since January 2019, CCAP enrollment has increased by 14,801 children.

The Child Care Assistance Program recently launched a Facebook page and posts program updates and promotional information about CCAP frequently. You can find the CCAP Facebook at facebook.com/IllinoisCCAP.

An easy-to-use Child Care Assistance Program Eligibility Calculator to help families determine their eligibility is available now on the IDHS website.

This article originally appeared in the Chicago Defender.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

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Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

 

 

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

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The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org

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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

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