Illinois created DHS in 1997 to provide Illinois residents with streamlined access to integrated services, especially those who are striving to move from welfare to work and economic independence, and others who face multiple challenges to self-sufficiency. IDHS administers various early childhood programs, including home visiting, early intervention, and childcare assistance.
Through the ILDS, IDHS and ISBE have successfully merged early childhood data maintained by both agencies to better understand the characteristics and outcomes of children receiving early childhood services throughout the State of Illinois.
