children & families FAQs

Do I need to be certified to provide care for children in my home?

If you provide care to 6 or more children in your home, yes, you are required to either be certified by the county (if you have up to 6 children) or licensed by the state (if you have more than 6 children in your care). If you provide care to less then 6 children you are not required to be certified.

Children & Families FAQs…

Do all child abuse investigations end up with the Champaign County Department of Job & Family Services taking children away from their parents?
I am living with my boyfriend. He has his children and I have mine. Can we get subsidized child care? Does his income count against me?
If my family decides to become a foster home, will I have to take any child your agency calls us about?
How would I start the adoption/foster care process?
How long does the foster care/adoption process take?
I am a single person, am I still eligible to adopt or provide foster care?
If I report self-neglect of an elderly person, will the Adult Protective Services worker place them in a nursing home?
If I have a neighbor or friend who is not yet 60 years of age, will the APS staff help if there are signs of Abuse, Neglect, Self-Neglect or Exploitation?
My mother-in-law is very forgetful and has shut-off notices from not paying her bills on time. At her last Dr.'s visit, the Dr. suggested that mother is not able to stay in her home alone any longer but my mother-in-law refuses to leave her home. Does this sound like a situation where a referral to APS can help when planning her care?
How do I know when to make an APS referral? Do I need proof of the abuse?
How do I become a Day Care Provider?
How long does it take to become a Day Care Provider?
How do I apply for Day Care Assistance?
How long does it take to get approved for Day Care Assistance?
What are the advantages of being a Certified Provider?
Do I need to be certified to provide care for children in my home?