Other Financial OpportunitiesFrom the Gateways Scholarship Program to the Great START Wage Supplement Program, Gateways to Opportunity is giving Illinois early care and education, school-age, and youth professional’s access to financial support. Through the following other resources, early care and education professionals are able to pursue coursework and opportunities for professional development. To view a listing of financial resources, click here for printable materials. Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)The ISAC offers a comprehensive array of programs designed specifically for college-bound students and their families—including state and federal grants, scholarships, loans, and college prepaid tuition programs. College Zone, the trusted source for college information, is ISAC’s one-stop approach to outreach. For more information on ISAC, pick up brochures at Outreach Centers located at community college campuses throughout the state, phone (800) 899-ISAC (4722), or visit www.collegezone.com. Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) ServicesQuality Counts Child Care Grant Funds Quality Counts Child Care (QCCC) Grant funds are available through the local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency. The QCCC Grant Program is designed to support center based, community based, and family child care providers 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 and maintenance of Illinois Quality Counts-Quality Rating System (QRS) certification. The funds are provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Professional Development Funds (PDF) and Accreditation Assistance Funds (AAF) are offered by local CCR&R agencies to support individuals and programs in their professional development, credentialing, and accreditation processes. The funds are provided through the IDHS. Professional Development Funds PDFs are available to child care center directors, early childhood teachers/assistant teachers, school-age teachers/assistant teachers, family home providers and assistants, and child care center support staff (e.g., cook, driver, janitor, etc.) when appropriate. The funds may be applied toward costs associated with conferences or workshops and fees associated with approved credentialing processes. Accreditation Assistance Funds AAFs are available to child care programs including family child care, child care centers, and school-age programs that are listed on the CCR&R database. Funding may be requested to assist with fees associated with an approved accreditation process. Learn more about your local CCR&Rs.
Funding Links
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