Smart Start Transition Grants
The Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Early Childhood is excited to announce Smart Start Transition Grants. These grants will be administered by INCCRRA and will transition licensed child care programs from the Strengthen and Grow Child Care grants to Smart Start Child Care in the future. Smart Start Transition Grants focus on providing stable and predictable funding in order to improve quality and support workforce development.
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Smart Start Transitions Grant Flyer
(622 KB)
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Smart Start Transitions Grant Flyer - Spanish
(337 KB)
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Smart Start Transition Grant Enhanced Personnel Tip Sheet
(600 KB)
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Smart Start Transition Grant Enhanced Personnel Tip Sheet - Spanish
(602 KB)
Smart Start Transition Grant Schedule
SSTG Round 1: October 2023 – December 2023 (Applications available July 3, 2023 – July 31, 2023)
SSTG Round 2: January 2024 – March 2024 (Applications available October 1, 2023 – October 31, 2023)
SSTG Round 3: April 2024 – June 2024 (Applications available January 1, 2024 – January 31, 2024)
SSTG Round 4: July 2024 –September 2024 (Applications available April 1, 2024 – April 30, 2024)
What is the difference from Strengthen and Grow Child Care Grants to the new Smart Start Transition Grants
Strengthen and Grow Child Care Grants |
Smart Start Transition Grants |
|---|---|
| Licensed centers and licensed family child care | Same as SGCC |
| At least 10% enrollment (as a percentage of licensed capacity at time of application) funded by CCAP in any one month between January 2020 to date of application | At least 10% enrollment (as a percentage of licensed capacity at time of application) funded by CCAP in any one month between January 2022 to date of application |
| Less than 75% of total revenues from other public funding streams (e.g., Head Start, Preschool For All) |
Same as SGCC |
| Were in operation as of March 2021 and continue to care for children today. | Must be licensed, open and caring for children by June 1, 2023, to apply for Smart Start Transition Grants Round 1. |
| Operate full-day and full-year, defined as a program that is open and offering at least eight consecutive hours of care per day, five days per week. | Same as SGCC |
|
Grant Award Amount Centers: $25,000/yr or $6,250/qt per classroom Group Homes: $15,000/yr or $3,750/qt per program Homes: $10,000/yr or $2,500/qt per program |
Grant Award Amount Centers (Infant-Toddler Classroom): $28,000/yr or $7,000/qt per classroom Centers (Preschool Classroom): $24,000/yr or $6,000/qt per classroom Homes and Group Homes: same as SGCC |
|
Social Vulnerability Index Add-On: 10% or 15% (using 2018 SVI) |
Social Vulnerability Index Add-On: 10% or 15% (using 2020 SVI) |
|
Allowable Use of Funds 50% of funds must be spent on enhanced personnel |
Allowable Use of Funds 75% of funds must be spent on enhanced personnel |
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
On April 4, 2022, the federal government changed the unique entity identifier used across the federal government from the DUNS number to the Unique Entity ID (UEI). Entities doing business with the federal government will now require the Unique Entity ID created in SAM.gov. This transition allows the government to streamline the entity identification and validation process, making it easier and less burdensome for entities to do business with the federal government.
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UEI Tip Sheet
(1.77 MB)
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UEI Tip Sheet - Spanish
(267 KB)
What you can do today
You want to make sure you are ready to apply in July 2023 for the first round of Smart Start Transition Grants. Start this checklist below today!
- Keep your Registry membership and Registry Director Portal current. Your Registry membership and Director Portal access renew annually and often at different times. You can check your Director Portal Expiration using these steps.
- Make sure all reporting for all grants is complete and accepted, this includes Child Care Restoration Grants, Child Care Workforce Bonus, and Strengthen and Grow Child Care Grants.
- You must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The DUNS number will not be accepted for Smart Start Transition Grants. This process can take time and should be started now! Entities doing business with the federal government will now require the Unique Entity ID created in SAM.gov. New entities that have not registered to SAM.gov for their Unique Entity ID can find a fact sheet with information about the change and what entities need to do. Existing registered entities can find their Unique Entity ID by following the steps here.
- For licensed child care centers update your classroom listing often in your Gateways Registry Director Portal, use this help article for detailed instructions on how to update your classroom listing.
- For centers, corporations, partnerships, and Limited Liability Companies (LLC) – an Illinois Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing will be required. This must have a date of 2023 to apply for Smart Start Transition Grants Round 1.
- Start to think about what your new grant budget will look like. The budget itself is going to be very similar to the SGCC budget, but take into consideration the new grant award amounts, and the new requirement that 75% of funds must be spent on enhanced personnel. An updated tip sheet specific to budget planning will be coming soon.
Watch the website and your email for details, tip sheets, technical assistance videos, and more coming in May and June. If you have questions, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
