Search: Provider Services Index (Children's Home + Aid CCR&R Newsletter) > CCR&R NEWS (Updated 07/11/2007) Get Connected! Several agencies/organizations offer e-mail subscription alerts to keep early childhood advocates and parents up-to-date on policies that may help or hurt families. To subscribe, log onto their website and click on subscribe. Action for Children www.daycareaction.org Children's defense Fund www.cdf.org National Association for the Education Young Children www.naeyc.org Ounce of Prevention Fund: Kids PEPP www.ounceofprevention.org Voices for Illinois Children www.voices4kids.org Women Employed www.womenemployed.org National Child Care Information Center www.nccic.org Great START Congratulations, Great START is now a permanent program thanks to the support of child care providers like you! On July 13, 2004, Governor Blagojevich signed the Great START bill which will continue funding wage supplements for eligible DCFS licensed child care practitioners in Illinois. Great START is funded and administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and contracted through the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (INCCRRA). Great START rewards child care practitioners for years of service to the field and for education already obtained. If you are a DCFS licensed child care practitioner working in a childcare center or family/group child care home, then you may be eligible for a wage supplement every six-months. To be eligible for a Great START wage supplement, you must meet the following eligibility requirements: Work in a DCFS licensed child care center or family/group child care home for one consecutive year prior to applying Work in Illinois Work in a full day/full year child care program (serving children 8 consecutive hours per day, for at least 49 weeks out of the year) Make $15 or less per hour Work more than 50% of the day with children (with the exception of the director) Meet educational requirements in early care and education as established by Great START program rule Currently, there are over 5,000 child care practitioners that have received a Great Wage supplement in almost every county in Illinois. Great START has proven to increase practitioner's retention with their employers as well as increasing educational attainments. It is a win-win situation for both employees and employers. Employees win by not only receiving a monetary supplement, but also receiving recognition for the important work they do everyday. Employers win because they are retaining highly qualified and consistent practitioners for the children in their care. If you would like more information on how you could receive a Great START wage supplement you may contact the Children's Home + Aid CCR+R Program or call the Great START office at 1-866-MYSTART (697-8278). You may also visit our website and down load an application at: www.inccrra.org. Grant Funds Late September, the Children's Home + Aid CCR+R Program will be mailing to all early care & education programs listed on the Children's Home + Aid CCR&R Program database information about two grant opportunities. Below is an overview of these opportunities. Quality Counts Child Care Grants - have been created to improve quality and/or increase the capacity of early care and education programs in Illinois. The Children's Home + Aid CCR+R Program anticipates funding 80 programs with grant funds. Professional Development Funds - are available to support an individual's professional growth and/or to support program accreditation or staff/parent development. Applicants may apply for funding to be used toward: Accreditation Conferences Credentialing Education/Tuition In-service training for staff and/or families For more information about these funding opportunities, please contact Janice Moenster at 1-800-467-9200, ext. 135 or jmoenste@sw.chasi.org Back to top