Parent-infant relationships and interactions are key to the social, emotional and cognitive development of young children. Strong, healthy relationships and stimulating environments in the first year of life enable children to navigate later challenges with success. Yet many new Illinois parents struggle with the difficult choice between spending more time with their babies and working outside the home to make ends meet. First Year at Home provides a way for Illinois public policy to support the choices parents make about the best way to promote healthy development during their child's first year. Families receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families are not eligible.
Families receive a monthly stipend during the baby's first year.
FY02 The First Year at Home proposal is consistent with research on the importance of a baby's first year and directly responds to the needs of Illinois families. Not only do many parents want to stay home with their children, but there also is a shortage of quality child care for infants. First Year At Home focuses on family resources to give children the stimulating environments and the teaching from their parents that they truly need. The demonstration project would reach an estimated 1,000 families. Click here to see a list of co-sponsors.