What's Happening in Illinois?

Apprenticeships

Illinois Apprenticeship Program This program for early care and education professionals was established to assist entry-level early childhood aids and assistant teachers in their movement along a career lattice. Apprentices receive wage increases as they complete 30 semester hours of college coursework and on-the-job training under the guidance of an on-site mentor.

For more information please contact Juan Ortiz, Program Coordinator at 1-866-697-8278 or by e-mail at jortiz@ilchildcare.org

Mentoring Programs

Statewide Accreditation Mentoring (SAM) Project. SAM provides mentoring support and financial assistance to early childhood programs in center or home-based settings that are in the accreditation process through NAEYC or NAFCC.

For more information call (217) 529-7732

Professional Development Advisors From selecting coursework to developing a plan for success to meeting your goals step-by-step, the job of the Professional Development Advisor (PDA) is to represent you and guide you in making plans today for your current and future professional development goals. Working with you for short-term advising or long-term mentoring.

For more information please call Gateways to Opportunity at 1-888-548-8080 or by e-mail at info@ilgateways.com

Professional Development Opportunities

Gateways to Opportunity Gateways to Opportunity is the single statewide support network designed to provide guidance, encouragement, and recognition to individuals and programs who serve young children and their families. It illustrates the many career pathways and provides coordination of resources on education and training for those seeking career development and enhancement.

For more information please contact Gateways to Opportunity at 1-888-548-8080 or by e-mail at info@ilgateways.com

Illinois Career Lattice Project The career lattice identifies the knowledge, skills, qualifications, and student learning outcomes for all roles and levels in the early childhood field.

For more information contact INCCRRA at (800) 649-1884 or by email at careerlattice@ilchildcare.org

Illinois Director Credential. The purpose of this Credential project is to validate the achievement of competencies necessary for effective leadership and management of center-based early care and education programs

For more information contact INCCRRA at (800) 649-1884 or by email at idc@gateways.com

Illinois Infant Toddler Credential The Infant-Toddler Credential will be a voluntary credentialing program for those who work with infants and toddlers in Illinois. The credential, which builds on the core knowledge of Gateways to Opportunity, will validate the achievement and expertise of practitioners and serve as a symbol of professional accomplishment.

The Infant-Toddler Credential will become available in 2006. To join a committee or find out how you can help in the development of this credential, call 1-888-548-8080 or e-mail itc@gateways.com

Scholarship Programs

T.E.A.C.H. ® Early Childhood Project, administered by the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (INCCRRA), is a scholarship program for child care workers to complete course work in early childhood education and to increase their compensation.

For more information please contact INCCRRA at 1-866-697-8278 or by e-mail at teachinfor@ilchildcare.org

Wage Incentives

Great START (Strategy to Attract and Retain Teachers) program This program rewards early childhood professionals by supplementing their income based on education they have already attained above the state’s licensing requirements.

For more information please contact INCCRRA at 1-866-697-8278 or by e-mail at greatstart@ilchildcare.org

Other Resources