Child Care Resource & Referral – Professional Development

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 and provide services in one of the following seven counties: Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, or Washington.

Provider/Staff must be a current member of the IL Gateways Registry.

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.

First Aid and CPR Reimbursement Funds

• First Aid and CPR Reimbursement Form can be found here

CPR and First Aid can be held face-to-face, hybrid model or online training to receive reimbursement.

FA/CPR curriculum must be from one of the following approved entities:

• American Heart Association
• American Red Cross
• American Trauma Event Management (ATEM)
• Edward Atkinson/Emergency Reponse Health Network
• Emergency Care and Safety Institute (ECSI)
• EMS Safety Services
• Ellis & Associates, Inc.-Orlando, FL
• MEDIC FIRST AID
• National Safety Council
• Pro-Trainings, LLC

For a list of known CPR & First Aid providers in your area, please send an email to CCRR@childrenshomeandaid.org

Steps to receive reimbursement for CPR and First Aid training:

1. Schedule training
2. Please keep your payment receipt
3. Attend the training
4. Receive your CPR and First Aid card(s) must state pediatric and adult CPR)
   -School age providers, FA/CPR should be specific to the age served.

5. Complete the Children’s Home & Aid payment form

Check list – Is your Application Complete?

• All parts of the application are complete.  If a question was not applicable, I wrote N/A.
• I signed and dated the application.
• I attached the required supporting documentation
• Proof of Gateways Registry Membership
• Completed W-9 form
• Receipt/proof of payment
• Documentation of completion of course for all participants – copy of CPR and First Aid cards
• For Center Group Training – an attendance sheet for those attending/completing the course including Gateways number
• The payment information I have submitted is correct
• Complete Children’s Home & Aid payment form for Direct Deposit or paper check
• I understand an incomplete application will delay the review process
• I have made a copy of the application and all supporting documentation for my records

For more information, questions or concerns, please contact: Nichole Miller 800-467-9200, Ext 180 or nmiller@childrenshomeandaid.org.

All paperwork should be sent to Nichole Miller via fax or email:

Fax – 618-452-9136; Email – nmiller@childrenshomeandaid.org