During the recent JCAR meeting, DCFS shared that the 3 hour rule was never intended to be used with children under the age of 2 and that it is contradictory to language in the current 407 standards.
We have spoken with members of JCAR on the phone and shared with them that programs have been allowed to use this rule in infant/toddler classrooms for the last 3 years, and that it is imperative this continues.
We are gathering evidence for JCAR to show that the field was using assistant for 3 hours in infant/toddler classrooms with no objections from DCFS.
This information will be shared with the members to encourage them to push the Department to revise their ruling and remove the restriction in place on using the 3 hour rule with children under 2.
Our last survey was very helpful in getting JCAR to understand the seriousness of this issue, so please take the time to fill this out. They are hearing our voices, and we need to keep fighting!! We are so thankful for the work of JCAR members, and we want to continue to work closely with them on this issue and more in the future.
Please complete the survey below by Friday, June 16, 2023.