Quality Improvement Funds
The Children’s Home & Aid Child Care Resource & Referral Program with the Illinois Department of Human Services announces the availability of the Quality Improvement Funds Grant Opportunities.
The QI Funds are designed to support center based and family child care in the improvement of quality care provided to infants, toddlers, preschool, and school age children. These funds are to support planned program improvements. They are also intended to assist providers in the achievement, advancement, and maintenance of ExceleRate Illinois.
All child care programs applying for these funds must be on our referral database. Service at least one child from the Child Care Assistance Program and provide services in one of the following seven counties: Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, or Washington.
Grant Opportunities consists of:
- Cohort Funds
- Training Stipends
- Accreditation Assistance
Quality Improvement Funds Guidelines and Application can be found here.
Individual Professional Development Funds
Based on available funding, Children’s Home & Aid CCR&R Program is offering funds to support individual pursuit of professional development in early care and education and school-age care. Funds are provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services and administered by the CCR&R Program. Individual practitioners currently employed by center-based programs and family home programs that provide care as defined by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) can apply for these funds. Individual practitioners are defined as: child care center directors, early childhood teachers/assistant teachers, school age teachers/assistant teachers, family home providers and assistants as well as child care center support staff (cook and driver) when appropriate (e.g., food sanitation course). Funds can be requested for: costs associated with non CCR&R conference/workshops (registration fees, lodging, and transportation) and fees associated with approved credential processes. See guidelines for further guidance.
Individual Professional Development Application can be found here.
Please contact Nichole Miller at nmiller@childrenshomeandaid.org or 800-467-9200, Ext. 180 for questions.