TINLEY PARK – In an effort to correct the funding shortfall that the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) faces, State Senator Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) spoke in support of the proposed legislation.

"If this crisis prolongs any further child care facilities will be forced to close their doors and simply stop providing their services," Hastings said. "Parents will be forced to quit their jobs or stop their pursuit of an education to lift themselves out of poverty, we can not let that happen."

The solution would allow CCAP to continue providing working families access to child care allowing them to continue working and contributes to the needed development of the child.

The proposal also serves teen parents seeking a high school degree, families who are receiving aid and participating in education in accordance with their service plans and families not receiving aid who are pursuing additional education to improve their job opportunities.

As of October 2014, more than 190,000 children were served by CCAP and the program is currently underfunded by $278 million.