Program Funding Opportunities

Funding Type 

Eligibility 

Application 

ExceleRate IL Cohort – QI Funding 

• Funding amount is determined based on the CQIP and provider type; in addition, for child care centers program capacity 

• Applications due in our office NO LATER than 5:00pm September 26, 2024 

• To apply; fully complete and submit sections B and C of the application along with a completed W-9  

• For more information: email 

• Open to Licensed Child Care Centers and Licensed Family Child Care/Family Group Home 

• Center Programs must be working towards/maintaining ExceleRate IL Silver or Gold under the childcare path 

• LFCC Programs must be working towards/maintaining ExceleRate IL Silver or Gold under the LFCC path 

• Attend and participate in ALL three (3) cohort meetings, must be program admin and the same person must attend all meetings 

• Must complete a program self-assessment 

• Must meet with a Quality and/or Infant Toddler Specialist at least four (4) times 

• Applications due in our office no later than 5:00pm September 26, 2024. 

• Programs may be eligible for funding after completing all required steps of the QI Cohort 

ExceleRate IL Cohort Application 

W-9 

Consultant Agreement 

ExceleRate IL Training Stipend – QI Funding

• $10/contact training hour 

• Last day to submit applications June 2, 2025 

• To apply; complete and submit sections B and D along with a completed W-9 

• For more information: email 

• Open to Licensed Child Care Centers and Licensed Family Child Care/Family Group Home  

• Center Programs must be working towards/maintaining ExceleRate IL Bronze, Silver, or Gold under the childcare path 

• LFCC Progams must be working towards/maintaining ExceleRate Il Bronze, Silver, or Gold under the LFCC path 

• Training must be required for an ExceleRate IL Circle of Quality and must be ExceleRate approved 

• A stipend is only available for the minimum staff required to take the training for ExceleRate IL 

• Training Participants must be currently employed at the child care program 

• Must meet with a Quality and/or Infant Toddler Specialist at least two (2) times 

• Funding is allocated on a first come, first serve basis 

ExceleRate IL Training Stipend Application 

W-9 

Accreditation Assistance –QI Funding 

• 80% of cost of accreditation as funding allows 

• Last day to submit applications June 2, 2025. 

• To apply; complete and submit sections B and E along with a completed W-9

• For more information: email 

• Open to Licensed Child Care Centers and Licensed Family Child Care/Family Group Home 

• Programs must be applying for or maintaining ExceleRate Silver or Gold Circle of Quality 

• Must meet with a Quality and/or Infant Toddler Specialist at least two (2) times. 

• Funding is allocated on a first come, first serve basis 

ExceleRate IL Accreditation Assistance Application 

W-9 

License Exempt Health and Safety Improvement Funds 

• Max funding amounts by program 

• LE Centers – $500 

• LEFCC in provider’s home – $300 

• LEFCC in child’s home – $150 

• Application window: February 1, 2025- April 30, 2025 

• Contact a Health and Safety Coach to apply: email 

• Open to License Exempt Family Child Care (LEFCC) a provider who is not licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS), and who can care for no more than three (3) children, including their own children, unless all the children are from the same household.   

• Open to License Exempt Child Care Center (LECCC) a center who is not licensed by the IDCFS, and who meets one of the allowable exemptions found in CCAP Policy 05.02.03, VIIIA 

• LE provider who currently provides care for at least one (1) child receiving assistance from the IDHS CCAP  

• LE provider who is an approved CCAP provider  

• LE provider who has a Corrective Action Plan from a Health & Safety Visit OR has completed the attached self-assessment  

• LE provider who is a member of the Gateways Registry   

• LE provider providing care in one of the following Illinois Counties; McHenry, DeKalb, Lee, Ogle, Whiteside, Carroll 

• LE provider with no unpaid financial obligation to CCR&R or to IDHS Division of Early Childhood – Bureau of Subsidy Management or Bureau of Quality Initiatives 

• LE provider must agree to a minimum of one (1) scheduled, virtual or on-site visit by a CCR&R staff member in addition to the monitoring visit 

• Complete the attached questionnaire to see if you are eligible 

Qualification Questionnaire 

W-9 

Smart Start Workforce Grants 

• Funding amounts vary based on program type 

• Contact your Smart Start Local Expert with for assistance: email 

• For more information visit the Smart Start Workforce Grant page. 

• Open to programs licensed as a Child Care Center, Family Child Care, or Family Group Child Care. 

• Programs must be licensed and caring for children by the first of the month before applications open. For example, if the application opens on July 1, 2024, programs must be licensed, open, and caring for children by June 1, 2024.  

• Programs must operate as a full-day, full-year program offering eight consecutive hours of care per day, five days per week, 47 weeks per year. 

• For Child Care Centers – at least 15% of the program’s current licensed capacity (at time of application) enrolled and funded by CCAP in any month in the year prior to submitting an application (e.g., any one month between January 2023 –date of application). 

• For Family Child Care – care for at least 1 child and for Family Group Child Care 2 children enrolled and funded by CCAP in any month in the year prior to submitting an application (e.g., any one month between January 2023 – the date of application).  

• Other eligibility requirements may apply.      

• Applications are accessed through the Gateways Directors Portal 

Applications open quarterly (July, October, January, April)