You may contact our office via phone (217.525.2805 x 8385) or email (info@4childcare.org) during our business hours.

Print a paper application here.

You can request all other forms, such as Redetermination forms, Change of Information forms, and Request for Provider Change forms, by clicking here.

Some months, IDHS is late in mailing out monthly certificates. Please wait until at least the last few days of the month before you begin calling to request these forms. Many times you will receive the certificates in time. However, if you do not receive your certificate by the last day of the month, please call or email us using the contact information listed.

There are several ways you can submit your paperwork. Please use one of the below methods:

Mail to: 2801 W Lawrence Ave

Springfield, IL 62704

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Email to: info@4childcare.org

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Fax to: 217.525.2894

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Utilize our Drop-box 24/7 located just outside our lobby door.

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*Please note: Any documentation received after 4:00p (CST) will be stamp-dated for the following business date.

To receive a list of childcare options in your area, call our Referral Specialist

at 217.525.2805 X 8388 or search online.

Parents are responsible for providing income verification and all other information required by IDHS in order to determine eligibility for child care services.

Parents must submit two pay stubs that are 60 days or less old from the date the child care form (application, redetermination, change of information) is received to verify earnings. These pay stubs do not need to be consecutive, and if more than two pay stubs are submitted, the two most recent will be used.

Parents who are paid once per month should submit two pay stubs that are 90 days or less old.

Parent must report a job loss or break in activity within 30 days after the date of loss or break. Grace periods for job loss are available and the Eligibility Specialist can give you more information on that.

Parent's should notify our office as soon as possible to any change affecting their active case. If a change of provider is needed, parents should not wait more than 30 days to notify us of this change. This will help ensure the previous provider is not overpaid and the new provider can be paid for the time they begin caring for the child(ren).

If you are a caretaker relative who is not the parent or stepparent you could be eligible who receive child-only TANF benefits as a Representative Payee for children in need of care while they work. A Representative Payee (RPY) case is a case in which only the child(ren) is the recipient of TANF cash assistance. Child Care Assistance received by a relative caretaker who works is considered a TANF benefit and is viewed differently than other child care services.

If you are a caretaker relative who is not the parent or stepparent of the child(ren) you could be eligible to receive assistance if you are employed. Copayments are waived in these cases if the child is the recipient of TANF cash assistance (obtained through the local Family & Community Resource Center). If the child is not a recipient, the case would fall under normal income guidelines and will be assessed a monthly copayment.