Ill. Admin. Code tit. 89, § 50.530 - Eligibility
a) To the extent
resources permit, the Great START Program will be open to all eligible child
care personnel Statewide who have attained education above licensing
requirements as defined by the administrative rules of the Illinois Department
of Children and Family Services and who are employed and working in Illinois.
Child care personnel may apply for wage supplements commensurate with their
education. Child care personnel will be required to submit an application to
determine eligibility for the wage supplement. The Department may, pursuant to
subsection (e), alter and prioritize the eligibility criteria depending on
available resources. For FY 2001, child care personnel must meet the following
eligibility criteria:
1) completed 2 years of
continuous full-time employment or self-employment with the same program in a
position working directly with children at the time of initial application and
for 6-month intervals thereafter;
2) earning an hourly wage of no more than the
amount established by the T.E.A.C.H. Program income eligibility guidelines,
which for FY 2001 is $15;
3)
employed in a full year, full day program, defined as a program that operates
12 months a year and serves children a minimum of 8 hours daily;
4) working full time, defined as 30 hours per
week or more; and
5) working with
children more than 50% of the employment day.
b) Beginning in FY 2002, in addition to the
above criteria, the following eligibility criteria will be available to
applicants:
1) completed one year of
continuous employment with the same program in a position working directly with
children at the time of initial application and for 6-month intervals
thereafter;
2) working part time,
defined as 15 to 29 hours per week (supplement will be pro-rated); or
3) employed as a program administrator
working with children less than 50% of the employment day.
c) The applicant is responsible for providing
all information and documentation to demonstrate his/her qualifications for a
particular wage supplement level and option. Required information includes, but
is not limited to, official college transcripts, name, address, telephone
number, social security number, birth date, employment information verified by
the employer such as employer name and address, position, wages (including pay
stubs), and length of service. Day care home and group day care home applicants
will be required to submit documentation to substantiate the hourly wage
requirement, including copies of tax information and forms provided to the
Internal Revenue Service and/or to the Illinois Department of
Revenue.
d) Once an applicant is
determined to be eligible for the Great START Program, he or she may apply for
a wage supplement payment at 6-month intervals. Additional payments are not
automatic. Child care personnel are required to submit a renewal application
for additional supplements, including employment and wage documentation.
Renewal applications must be submitted within 30 days after the date the
individual becomes eligible for the semi-annual payment.
e) Wage supplements will be awarded as long
as sufficient funds are available. Approved applications that are received
after funding runs out will remain on file. These applications will be
considered first for funding when additional resources become available either
through increased appropriation or attrition. Approved applications will be
prioritized for payment in the following order:
1) all applicants on a waiting list from FY
2001;
2) all applicants that meet
criteria under subsection (a);
3)
all applicants that meet criteria under subsection (b)(1);
4) all applicants that meet criteria under
subsection (b)(2);
5) all
applicants that meet criteria under subsection (b)(3).
Notes
Added at 25 Ill. Reg. 8176, effective June 23, 2001
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