ILCHF, ICAHN offer child care grant to member hospital essential workers

On April 3, 2020, the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) received a $500,000 grant award (EHSCCS) from the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation (ILCHF) to provide financial assistance to eligible ICAHN hospital employees to help defray their cost of childcare due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and their need to fulfill hospital work assignment. The EHSCCS grant period is from April 6 through June 6, 2020.

ICAHN will reimburse hospital members that apply, on behalf of their employees who are seeking EHSCCS childcare financial assistance funding. To receive EHSCCS financial assistance, hospital employees must complete an application and submit to the hospital’s human resources  department. The ICAHN Hospital Employee Application requires the employee to verify the 1) individual child care provider is over 18 years of age and has completed a background check and fingerprinting -or- 2) utilizes a childcare provider at an approved emergency childcare center, facility or home. The employee is ineligible is they are already receiving any financial subsidy from the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

Any ICAHN hospital employee making $35 or less, however, is able to apply.  Children from birth to 12 years qualify for childcare or children over 12 years who are disabled.

If the hospital establishes its own temporary childcare program, the hospital can apply for the same funding per child/family.  ICAHN will reimburse employees $30 per child per day and can receive an additional $20 per child for a family up to four children.

For more information about this grant, designed specifically for ICAHN member hospitals, please contact Stephanie DeMay at [email protected] or call 815.875.2999.