Grant Opportunities
Quality Improvement Funds
Illinois is committed to assisting early care and education professionals in providing quality education and care for young children, from birth to 12 years old. Quality Improvement Funds are available to support continued quality improvement for child care programs. These funds are designed to assist child care programs in improving program quality and achieving or advancing an ExceleRate™ Illinois Circle of Quality. Funds are provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the application is available here:
Quality Improvement Funds Application for July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025
The Quality Improvements Funds are divided into the three following areas:
ExceleRate™ Illinois Cohorts
Cohort groups, led by CCR&R staff, are offered for programs working towards or maintaining an ExceleRate™ Illinois Circle of Quality. The program administrator responsible for the on-site day-to-day operations of the child care program is required to attend the cohort. Upon completion of the cohort requirements and the program's self-assessment, programs may request funds to help achieve Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQIP) objectives.
Training Stipend
Licensed child care programs working towards or maintaining an ExceleRate™ Illinois Circle of Quality may apply for a training stipend. The stipend is available for the ExceleRate™ Illinois Circle of Quality required training.
Accreditation Assistance
Accreditation is a voluntary process that provides child care programs the opportunity to examine their services based on recognized standards of high quality. The Accreditation Assistance option is for child care programs that are applying for or maintaining an ExceleRate™ Illinois Silver or Gold Circle of Quality.
Individual Professional Development Funds (IPDF)
IPDF grants are for individuals. Directors, owners, and administrators can have employees apply individually and send applications to the CCR&R together. Individual child care practitioners working to continue their own professional development in early care and education may apply for the Individual Professional Development Funds. Funds can assist in covering costs related to registration, travel, and lodging fees associated with conferences or workshops not required by ExceleRate™ Illinois. Registration for webinars or online training that is Gateways to Opportunity® Registry-approved is also eligible. Individual Professional Development Funds are available to individuals wanting to obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, Certified Child Care Professional (CCP) Credential, or Gateway to Opportunity® Credential. Funds are provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). More information and the application packet can be found by clicking the link below.
Individual Professional Development Funds Application for July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025
Opportunities to Earn Early Childhood Education Credentials and Degrees
Are you interested in going to college and earning a credential or degree in early childhood? Many supports are available, and higher education navigators can help you access them. If you are currently working – or previously worked - in child care, preschool, Head Start, or family child care in Illinois, opportunities are available to go to school with the support you need to help you be successful.
Financial assistance is available for eligible teachers, assistants, directors, and others to cover all tuition and fees and for other potential expenses, such as books, transportation, and child care at many of Illinois’ colleges and universities.
Illinois higher education institutions are redesigning to make it easier for you, the early childhood workforce, to enroll in programs created for you, through classes that are available when and in the format that works best for you. They are also hiring mentors to help you enroll in programs and be successful.
If you would like to be connected to a Higher Education Navigator who can walk you through the available opportunities, please complete this survey and return it to SAL Child Care Connection, Attn: Higher Education Navigator or you may email it to higherednavigator@salccc.org
CPR First Aid Reimbursement
In partnership with SAL Child Care Connection, the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Early Childhood (IDHS-DEC) is providing funds to assist child care practitioners in achieving First Aid (FA)/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification. Below are the guidelines and application, please read carefully.
First Aid/CPR Funds Reimbursement Program
Health & Safety Improvement Funds for License Exempt Child Care
Health & Safety Improvement grants are available to Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) License Exempt Child Care providers to fund materials and equipment needed to address health and safety needs. Priority will be given to license-exempt providers whose requests are supported by a Health & Safety Monitoring visit. For the purposes of this document, “child care provider” includes family child care and child care centers. More information can be found on the application below.
For more information on Professional Development and Training, please contact the Training Department at (800) 421-4371 or contact us.