Individual Professional Development Funds

Individual Professional Development Funds is sponsored by Four-County Child Care Resource & Referral. Provides funding for child care professionals to attend workshops, conferences, or pursue credentials to enhance their skills.

Choosing Quality Child Care Eligibility Requirements for Families Child Care Assistance Requirements for Providers Apply for Child Care Financial Assistance Play Groups – Babies and Books Opening A Child Care Program List Your Child Care Program with 4-C Infant and Toddler Services Early Childhood Workforce Support Program Food & Nutrition Trainings and RESOURCES Food List Allowed for Reimbursement Site Reviews/COVID Safety Precautions Infant Toddler Child Care Specialist Early Childhood Workforce Support Program Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant Emergency Care Provider Resources Parent/Guardian Resources Resources for Resuming Care 4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care Choosing Quality Child Care Eligibility Requirements for Families Child Care Assistance Requirements for Providers Apply for Child Care Financial Assistance Play Groups – Babies and Books Opening A Child Care Program List Your Child Care Program with 4-C Infant and Toddler Services Early Childhood Workforce Support Program Food & Nutrition Trainings and RESOURCES Food List Allowed for Reimbursement Site Reviews/COVID Safety Precautions Infant Toddler Child Care Specialist Early Childhood Workforce Support Program Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant Providers Services – Individual Funding Options Providers in McHenry, DeKalb, Lee, Ogle, Whiteside, and Carroll Counties may be eligible to apply using the information below.

Individual Professional Development Funds Max per person/per year $500 Max funding per event 80%, as funding allows Last day to submit funding request June 12, 2026. For more information or to submit an application: email Individual practitioners currently employed by center-based programs or family home programs (licensed or license exempt) that provide care as defined by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Individual practitioners include child care center directors, early childhood teachers/assistant teachers, school age teachers/assistant teachers, family home providers and assistants. In addition, child care center support staff (e.g., cook, driver) when appropriate.

The child care program must be listed on the CCR&R provider referral database and must currently be providing care in one of the following Illinois counties: McHenry, DeKalb, Lee, Ogle, Whiteside, or Carroll.

The child care program must have no unpaid financial obligation to the CCR&R agency or the IDHS-DEC Bureau of Subsidy Management or Bureau of Quality Initiatives See application for allowable/unallowable uses of funding Individual Professional Development Funds Reimbursement 100% up to $100 per person Last day to submit funding request June 20, 2025 Submit questions and applications to: email Provider must be employed by a program that is actively providing child care at the time of application.

Program may be licensed or license exempt. Provider must be a current member of the Gateways to Opportunity Registry (applies to individual and group). The child care program must be listed on the Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency’s referral database and must currently be providing care in one of the following Illinois counties: Carroll, DeKalb, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, and Whiteside counties.

The child care program must have no unpaid financial obligation to the CCR&R agency or the IDHS-DEC. Priority is given to programs currently caring for 50% or more children whose care is paid for by the IDHS Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

Funding is limited and will be approved on a first come, first serve basis until all funds have been exhausted FA/CPR reimbursement application Contact our Higher Education and Workforce Development Navigator for support Dina (815)344-5510 ext. 190 email Kendra (815)758-8149 ext.

301 email Gateways Scholarship Program GreatStart Wage Supplement Child Development Associate (CDA) Applications for Individual Professional Development Funds and CPR/FA Reimbursements should be sent to our McHenry Office, attn: Jennifer Schwartz, 667 Ridgeview Dr. McHenry IL 60050 Funding for all programs will be available until funding streams have been exhausted for the fiscal year.

Funding for these programs is provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Division of Early Childhood 444 East Hillcrest Drive, St. 300 | DeKalb, IL 60115 (815) 758-8149 x221 | Email Mon - Thur: 8:00a - 5:00p 667 Ridgeview Drive | McHenry, IL 60050 (815) 344-5510 x110 | Email Mon - Thur: 8:00a - 5:00p