Illinois- Individual Professional Development Funds (IPDF)

Illinois Child Care Professionals: Grow Your Skills—and Explore Help Paying for Training! 🌟

Build your classroom skills, work toward your CDA, or advance your professional development with ChildCareEd’s convenient online training.

As a Gateways to Opportunity Registry Authorized Entity, ChildCareEd offers Gateways-approved courses aligned with Illinois ECE Credential Competencies for Levels 2–6, plus 120-hour CDA training and CDA renewal courses. Explore topics including child development, health and safety, curriculum, classroom relationships, and family engagement.

Funding May Help Cover Your Costs 💰

Work in Champaign, Douglas, Iroquois, Macon, Piatt, or Vermilion County? You may qualify for Individual Professional Development Funds through Child Care Resource Service (CCRS).

Eligible applicants may receive:

• Up to 80% of approved costs
• Up to $500 total per person for the fiscal year
• Assistance with eligible Gateways-approved online training and CDA-related expenses

Applicants must be current Gateways Registry members working in eligible licensed or license-exempt child care programs listed in the CCR&R referral database. Additional requirements apply.

Funding period: July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027
Application and supporting-document deadline: June 18, 2027

Funding is limited and subject to CCRS approval. Confirm eligibility for your selected ChildCareEd course or CDA package with CCRS before purchasing. ExceleRate-required workshops and program-arranged group/staff training are excluded.

Take Your Next Step 📚

Explore ChildCareEd’s Illinois Training Options

Review Funding Guidelines and Apply Through CCRS

Funding questions? Contact Brenda at ccrs@illinois.edu or 217-333-3252.

Need help choosing training? Contact ChildCareEd at info@childcareed.com or 1-833-283-2241.

Remember to add your Gateways Registry ID to your ChildCareEd account so completed approved courses can be reported for Registry credit.