Professional Development
Professional development is essential for child care providers in improving the care that they offer to children, and is often a requirement for receiving or maintaining accreditation. At Child Care Resource & Referral Network (CCRRN), we help providers further their education and development with local training events and professional development programs.
To view the Online Training Calendar, please click here.
Please visit the Illinois’ Gateways website where providers can search for trainings in our area as well as areas surrounding the counties that we serve on a Statewide Training Calendar. Visit here.
To access online trainings required for Illinois DCFS Licensing, trainings required to apply for ExceleRate, and additional Gateways to Opportunity Trainings (i.e. ECE Credential Level 1, We Choose Health, Emergency Preparedness for Child Care, and more!) please visit ilearning.inccrra.org.
Individual Professional Development Funds
Based on available funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Child Care Resource & Referral Network supports individual pursuit of professional development in early care education and school-age care.
Funds can be requested for:
- Registration fees associated with conferences/workshops not required by ExceleRate Illinois. The conference/workshop must be off-site from your place of employment and must be related to early care and education, school-age care or childcare administration/management.
- Fees associated with webinars/online training that are approved within the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry.
- Travel/transportation cost.
- Lodging cost.
- Costs associated with the following credentials: Child Development Associate (CDA) Certified Child Care Professional (CCP) and Gateways Credentials (IDC, ECE, ITC).
Individual Professional Development Application
CPR/First Aid Reimbursement Program Application
To download the required W9, please click here.
Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship Program
The Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship Program has replaced the program previously known as T.E.A.C.H. This program is an individual-based scholarship opportunity for practitioners working in the field of Early Care and Education. Practitioners working in Illinois Department of Children and Family Services licensed centers and homes can apply for a Gateways Scholarship. The Gateways Scholarship Program will pay a percentage of the cost of tuition, fees and books based on an eligible participant’s childcare position income.
Receiving a financial scholarship may offer the opportunity for a childcare provider to gain a higher level of education and compensation.
For more information about the Gateways To Opportunity Scholarship Program or to receive an application, visit the Gateways website or call toll-free (866) 697-8278.
Great START
Great START (Strategies to Attract and Retain Teachers) is a wage supplement program that pays eligible early care and education practitioners a monetary amount semi-annually for different steps attained within the program.
To be eligible for a Great START wage supplement, an individual must:
- Be employed in licensed, full-day, full-year child care program, including family child care providers and assistants, center directors, teachers and teacher assistants;
- Have completed college coursework in early childhood education, credentials or degrees as outlined on the Great START wage supplement scale; and
- Work year round, at least 15 hours per week for at least 12 consecutive months.
To receive a wage supplement payment, applicants must submit a completed application, along with official college transcripts, pay stubs and documentation of work experience.
Applicants will be reviewed and eligibility determined, and approved applicants will be paid every six months, with commitment to field. The wage supplement payment will increase as the educational level increases.
For more information about the Great START program or to receive an application, visit the Gateways website or call toll-free (866) 697-8278.
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Child Care Resource & Referral Network |
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Call Us Office Hours: 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. |
Child Care Resource and Referral Network services provided in the Illinois counties of: |
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DeWitt, Ford, Livingston, Mclean. |
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