Quality Improvement Grant Opportunities

Quality Improvement Funds

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Illinois is committed to assisting child care providers in providing quality education and care for young children (birth through 12 years). Quality Improvement Funds are available to support continued quality improvement for child care programs. These funds are designed to assist child care programs in improving program quality in order to achieve or advance an ExceleRate Illinois Circle of Quality. Quality Improvement Funds are based on available funding. The Quality Improvement Funds program is administered by Child Care Resource & Referral of Midwestern Illinois. Funds are provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services.

The Quality Improvement Funds are divided into three areas:

Quality Rating & Improvement System Cohorts    

The child care resource and referral programs offer cohort groups for programs working towards or maintaining an ExceleRate Illinois Circle of Quality. Cohorts will be led by CCR&R staff. The program administrator responsible for the on-site, day to day operations of the child care program is required to attend the cohort. Upon completion of the cohort requirements and the program's self-assessment, programs may request funds to help achieve Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQIP) objectives. 

Training Stipend

Licensed child care programs working towards/maintaining an ExceleRate Illinois Circle of Quality may apply for an ExceleRate Illinois training stipend. The stipend is available for the ExceleRate Illinois Circle of Quality required training.

Accreditation Assistance 

Accreditation is a voluntary process that provides child care programs the opportunity to examine their services based on recognized standards of high quality. The Accreditation Assistance option is for child care programs that are applying/maintaining an ExceleRate Illinois Silver or Gold Circle of Quality.

Basic Eligibility for Quality Improvement Funds:

1. Program must be listed on the local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) provider database.
2. Program must currently be providing child care services in Henderson, Henry, Knox, McDonough, Mercer, Rock Island, or Warren counties.
3. Provider/Staff must be a current member of the Illinois Gateways Registry.
4. Program must have no unpaid financial obligation to CCR&R, IDHS Bureau of Subsidy Management, or Bureau of Quality Initiatives.

Priority Programs:

1. Programs currently caring for children whose care is paid for by the IDHS CCAP, with greater priority given to those with 50% or more of their enrollment consisting of IDHS CCAP funded children.  
2. Programs that are full year (at least 47 weeks) and full day (at least 8 hours). 
3. Programs that are currently caring for infants and toddlers.
4. For ExceleRate IL Cohort – first time applicant programs are a priority for cohort participation. 
5. Programs that have not recieved QI Funds in the last two grant years (FY25 or FY24).

 

Guidelines and Applications

Questions about Quality Improvement Grant Funds?

Contact McKenzie Brotherton, Training & Technical Assistance Coordinator, by email or by phone at 309-205-3070 ext. 4010.

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Smart Start Workforce Grants

The Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Early Childhood is excited to announce Smart Start Workforce Grants. These grants will be administarted by INCCRRA and will offer child care programs stable, ongoing funds that they need to cover costs and invest in quality staff without burdening families by raising tuition or Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) co-pays. Eligible programs receive consistent funding in advance, and funds will cover the costs of higher wages in the classroom. Learn more here.