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Professional Development Fund Available for Child Care Providers
Goal: The Professional Development Fund is a special project funded by a grant from IDHS (Illinois Department of Human Services) to provide professional development support for individual center staff and family child care providers.
These funds may be applied for as a reimbursement. Eligible applicants include child care providers who are currently enrolled in an early childhood related college class, who have attended a training conference, or who have had an on-site consultation since July 1, 2003. All of these training options must be related to early childhood care and education. Any of these same activities, which will take place prior to June 30, 2004, also are eligible for grant awards. Reimbursement payment is not sent until the necessary documentation is in and the activity takes place.
Allowable Expenses Include But Are Not Limited To:
- Professional Training Conferences: These expenses may include in-state conference fees, transportation, lodging, or meals. Please request the CCR&R application form to get specific details/amounts. CCR&R solely sponsored events are not eligible. (CCR&R co-sponsored events: U. of I. Extension conference and FOCUS conference are eligible)
- Per Pre-Approval, funds may be available for assistance with Early Childhood related out of state travel for National and Regional Conferences.
- College Tuition: These expenses may include tuition for any early childhood/child development related class that DCFS would accept for licensing standards up to $500.00.
- On-Site Consultation: Allowable costs included those associated with on-site staff training provided by workshop presenters or consultants. Allowable costs may include consultant fees, handouts, and training materials. Currently CPR/First Aid training is not included. Each application is reviewed case by case and is based on the number participating and the number of training hours.
How do you apply or get more information about “Professional
Development Funds?
- First make sure you are a Family Child Care Provider or Center Staff that is employed at a child care program on the Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) database. Keep in my CCR&R Professional Development funds are for child care workers who are employed in Will, Grundy, Kendall, or Kankakee counties.
- Call (815) 741-1163 prompt #3 to get a Professional Development Fund application. Yearly new applications are mailed out in the CCR&R Fall Newsletter to child care programs on the CCR&R database.
Remember you can always call if you have further questions about these funds: (815) 741-1163 prompt #3.
