Welcome

Gateways to Opportunity is the single statewide support network designed to provide guidance, encouragement, and recognition to individuals and programs who serve children, youth, and families. It illustrates the many career pathways and provides coordination of resources on education and training for those seeking career development and enhancement. For more information about Gateways to Opportunity, please click here.

Gateways to Opportunity Registry

Join the free Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry!

If you are already a member of the Registry, click here to log in.

The Registry:

• Provides early care and education, school-age and youth development, and family support practitioners with an online system to track their record of professional achievements—the college coursework and other training completed for professional development.
• Includes an approval process for trainers and trainings that drives quality and accountability.
• Soon will link trainers and trainings via the Statewide Training Calendar.

Keep Informed!

The United States Census is underway! In Spring of 2010, the most important data collection activity under taken by the US Government begins. Census data collected is used to allocate billions and billions of dollars in federal funds to states on an annual basis—funds that support children and families through the programs and services they use (e.g., child care, public schools, etc.). According to a report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, children are the age group most often missed in the Census. Therefore, under-counting leads to less funding for that group. Ultimately, reduced funding impacts programs and services that are available for children and families. Please promote participation in the Census. Stand up and be counted—today!

Illinois Action for Children, Illinois After-school Alliance, Ounce of Prevention, and Voices for Illinois Children provide action alerts to help you stay abreast of state and federal policy and budget decisions that impact services for children, youth, and families. Sign up today!

The Illinois government has a Web site that allows you to track the progress of various bills and amendments now in progress through the legislature. Go directly to www.ilga.gov/legislation/default.asp. 

 View the Gateways site in Spanish.