Preschool Development Grant Birth to Five Illinois Director Credential Competency Project |
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The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development and the Illinois Network of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies are pleased to announce the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity® Illinois Director Credential Competency Project grant recipients:
- College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL
- Oakton Community College, Skokie, IL
- National Louis University, Chicago, IL
- Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
These Illinois higher education institutions will work collaboratively to create innovative, competency-based, online curriculum built from the Gateways to Opportunity® Illinois Director Credential Competencies for early childhood program director/administrator preparation. Following in the footsteps of the Gateways Early Childhood Educator and Infant Toddler competency curriculum, the Illinois Director Credential will be the third Gateways Credential advancing through the competency-based module development. Competency-based education offers multiple entry and exit points for early childhood program directors/administrators at different stages of learning, creating increased accessibility for the workforce (which is more culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse than the broader teaching population). Well-designed online early childhood administrative coursework is a critical need in Illinois to help mitigate the teacher shortage, including avenues for assessment of prior learning and articulation of course credit aligned to credentials and degrees that include a progression from lower- to higher-level competencies.
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Student Debt Assistance Act: Public Act 102-0998
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Senate Bill 3032 was signed into law by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on May 27, 2022. This creates the Student Debt Assistance Act: Public Act 102-0998 which prohibits an institution of higher learning or a public or private entity that provides academic transcripts from withholding academic transcripts from a current or former student because the student owes a debt to the institution, conditioning the provision of an academic transcript on the payment of a debt, other than a fee charged to provide the transcript, charging a higher fee to obtain an academic transcript or providing less favorable treatment of a request for an academic transcript because a current or former student owes a debt, or using academic transcript issuance as a tool for debt collection.
Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, Public Act 102-0998 requires an institution of higher learning to make a good faith effort to offer a debt repayment plan to any student who owes a debt of $250 or more to the institution and sets forth provisions concerning the debt repayment plan and enrollment procedures. More information can be found by visiting here.
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Quality Facilities for All-East St. Louis Project |
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Quality Facilities for All (QFA) is committed to expanding and improving access to infant, toddler, and two year old (6 weeks - 35 months) care across Illinois by providing grants addressing facility concerns related to indoor air quality, temperature, ventilation, noise, lighting, classroom furnishing, and outdoor play areas. These factors contribute to high-quality learning environments, which are proven to positively impact the learning, development, and well-being of infants and toddlers.
QFA is a statewide program that will focus on high-need communities identified by Illinois Facilities Fund (IFF) research. Beginning in 2022, QFA will focus on East St. Louis School District 189, with more communities coming in 2023.
QFA supports center-based providers through leadership and professional development opportunities focused on enhancing provider knowledge on creating and maintaining high-quality facilities and developing sustainable financial practices.
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Updates to Clinical Treatment for Children Five and Under |
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The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health in collaboration with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services are providing the following information on how to document a DC: 0-5 diagnosis within the IM+CANS. Public Act 101-0654: Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Act within the Education and Workforce Equity Act requires that “beginning on July 1, 2022, if necessary to provide a diagnostic code for behavioral health services for children ages 5 and under, providers shall utilize a developmentally appropriate and age-appropriate diagnostic assessment system for diagnosis and treatment planning (such as the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood-Revised [DC:0-5]).”
When documenting the child/family’s needs and strengths in the IM+CANS the clinician provides the narrative Clinical Summary and 5 Axis DC:0-5 Diagnosis in Section 12, the Mental Health Assessment Summary. Upon completion of this section, the provider will then be able to utilize the DC: 0-5/ICD-10/DSM5 crosswalk to identify billing codes for clinical treatment.
The legislation also states that, “If necessary for billing purposes, the provider, managed care organization, or Department shall utilize the existing crosswalk tool to convert the developmentally appropriate and age-appropriate diagnosis code to the relevant code available in the State system.” As part of the training, individuals receive a copy of the DC: 0-5/DSM 5/ICD-10 Crosswalk, which has been approved by HFS to meet this part of the legislation.
For additional questions related to the free DC: 0-5 Clinical Training schedule contact Lisa Betz. For additional questions related to documentation and billing contact HFS Bureau of Behavioral Health.
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Application Available: Implementation Grant for Local Early Childhood Collaborations |
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Birth to Five Illinois is excited to announce an Implementation Grant opportunity for local early childhood collaborations to deepen their work. By “collaboration,” Birth to Five Illinois refers to the collaborative process of stakeholders coming together to discuss issues in their community using systems-thinking approaches to identify the issues, root causes, and solutions. Birth to Five Illinois seeks to drive funding into areas that have been historically overlooked by prioritizing communities with a high number of children living in poverty, households with limited English proficiency, and areas with a high Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), among other indicators.
Birth to Five Illinois will issue $2.5 million in Implementation Grants to existing local early childhood collaborations. The first phase of grant funding is closely tied to the Governor’s focus on regaining and increasing enrollment in ECEC programs and services, as there have been sizable decreases in enrollment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Up to $80,000 per collaboration for Year 1 is available with the option to seek renewal funding for two additional years. Renewals and renewal amounts are contingent upon funding. Existing local early childhood collaborations must use these grant funds toward strategies to increase enrollment in ECEC programs and services.
The deadline for submission is 11 p.m. on July 22, 2022.
Please visit the Grants page for more information and for a link to the application.
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New Positions Open as Statewide Infrastructure Continues to Build |
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New Regional Council Managers
The second cohort of Regional Council Managers joined the Birth to Five Illinois Team on June 13, 2022 (read the press release or visit the Team page to learn more about who will be leading the work in your region). Regional Council Managers’ initial tasks include: hiring Family & Community Engagement and Administrative staff; standing up both a Birth to Five Family Council and a Birth to Five Action Council for the region; and with the support of Illinois Action for Children, completing a Regional Scan that will include a demographic, programmatic, workforce, and facilities landscape analysis, as well as an assessment of the gaps and needs in services. The third cohort of Regional Council Managers is expected to begin in July 2022.
We’re Hiring!
The Birth to Five Illinois Family & Community Engagement Specialist and Regional Support Administrator positions have been posted for several regions of the State! The Family & Community Engagement Specialist will support the Regional Council Manager by engaging parent leadership, family decision-making, and the co-creation of solutions in the local Early Childhood Education and Care landscape. The Regional Support Administrator will be responsible for providing administrative, communications, and research/data support to the regional department. Please apply to the job posting for your region. Applicants must live in the region for which they apply.
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For Those Who Have Already Completed an Interest Form
Thank you for your patience! As noted in the Frequently Asked Questions, the Action Council and Family Council Interest Forms were being used to gauge community interest while simultaneously recruiting for Regional Council Managers, who need to be in place to adequately support the work of the Councils. Now that Regional Council Managers have been hired in numerous regions, efforts to stand up the Councils can begin soon! Please stay tuned to the Birth to Five Illinois website and emails for more information. For those who are interested in joining your region’s Council, we invite you to complete an Interest Form or visit our Councils page to learn more.
Click here to sign up for newsletters from Birth to Five Illinois.
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McCormick Center Ready to Lead Cohort 7 Registration, Deadline August 12, 2022 |
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The McCormick Center Ready to Lead (RTL) is focused on the needs of newly hired center directors (less than five years of experience in administration) and is designed to help them develop leadership essentials. Attendees will delve into topics that identify their strengths and build the capacity of everyone at their organizations. Interacting together with in-person learning activities, participants will have opportunities to develop strategies for dealing with real-life challenges experienced by new directors. Registration deadline is August 12, 2022. For more information click here.
Session Topics include:
- From the Inside Out: The Power of Reflection and Self-Awareness
- Leadership in Action: How Effective Directors Get Things Done
- New Role, New Relationships: Learning to Lead
- Shifting from Struggling to Juggling: Prioritizing Pointers and Productivity Tips
Full participation includes:
- A two-hour virtual orientation session and three days of skill-building sessions
- An inclusive professional learning community of peers
- 19.5 contact hours of Illinois Gateways to Opportunity approved professional development
- Three books, handouts, and materials
- Lunch for full-day sessions
The cost is $125 for Illinois administrators. For out-of-state administrators, contact barbara.volpe@nl.edu or call 847-947-5132.
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Orientation to the Illinois Model for I/ECMHC July 18 – July 27, 2022 |
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On behalf of the Mental Health Consultation in Illinois, the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development, and the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA), registration is available for the July Orientation for the Illinois Model for I/ECMHC. The virtual orientation series will take place July 18 – July 27, 2022. For past participants, please feel free to share with colleagues who may be interested in attending this event.
Please keep in mind:
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Gateways Registry Membership is required prior to registration and to complete the online portion of the orientation. Please reference the attached tip sheet to guide you through the process.
- Registration is limited to 25 participants.
- It is the expectation that participants will attend all sessions of the orientation.
- 22 CEUs for Social Work and Professional Counselor are available to participants who complete the entire orientation.
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Baby-ZZZ Safe Sleep Funding Opportunity |
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The Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois Title V are happy to announce a new funding opportunity. The Baby-ZZZ Safe Sleep Program seeks to partner with maternal and child health community stakeholders to expand community-based promotion of safe sleep practices and employ a risk reduction approach to improve sleep environments for all Illinois infants. The maximum award amount is $200,000. The submission deadline is July 15, 2022. |
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Maternal and Child Health |
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Information for Families During the Formula Shortage |
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has information for families to navigate the formula shortage. These tips include information on using safe substitutions, how to find formula, converting instructions for preparing formula from another country, and resources for breast milk and breastfeeding. This information is available in multiple languages including Spanish, Vietnamese, Creole, and Navajo.
The Illinois Department of Human Services provides information and updates for Illinois here.
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HHS Issues Recommendations to Improve Care for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs |
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The Blueprint for Change: A National Framework for a System of Services for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs makes recommendations to improve care for the estimated 14 million children nationwide who currently have, or are at increased risk for, chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions. Special health care needs are most common among non-Hispanic Black children, with nearly 1 in 4 having a special health care need compared to about 1 in 5 non-Hispanic White children and about 1 in 6 Hispanic children. Children with special health care needs are more likely to be living in poverty. In addition, less than two-thirds of families have adequate insurance to cover their health care and related costs.
The Blueprint for Change was developed in collaboration with families of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), health care professionals, public health leaders, researchers, academic institutions, and other federal partners. Guiding principles include ensuring that services and supports are easy for families to navigate, designed to improve health outcomes for all CYSHCN, and financed in ways that best support their needs.
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Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Public Awareness Campaign |
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Based on feedback from key stakeholders in collaboration with Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants and State agency leaders, the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development is pleased to release two featured resources! These print resources focus on providing key information as early childhood education and care programs make strategic decisions to add Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation to enhance their programs. The first resource “What is I/ECMHC for Program Administrators” focuses on superintendents and central office decision makers. It is available in English and Spanish. The second resource “What is I/ECMHC for Program Leaders” is available in English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Russian, and Arabic for program directors, supervisors, and site-level leadership. Please visit the GOECD I/ECMHC webpage to download these one-pagers and share widely!
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Child Trends’ Resources to Help Children After a School Shooting, Available in Spanish and English |
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Child Trends staff are saddened and angered by the shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Every child deserves to be safe from school violence and the fear that they will experience it. The National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families collated a list of resources to help parents, caregivers, and educators support children and youth after a school shooting. Each resource is available in both English and Spanish.
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Don’t Miss Out on Scholarship Funding for Early Childhood Educators! |
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Scholarships Available! If you work or have worked in early childhood education and you are interested in getting additional credentials and/or a degree in the field, you may be eligible for the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship!
Scholarships are still available at participating Illinois colleges and universities and can cover up to the total cost of attendance after other financial aid received. Recipients must be a member of the Gateways to Opportunity Registry and enrolled either full or part-time in a participating Illinois college or university, among other criteria.
Opening Date for Applications for SY23:
Starting May 31, 2022, ISAC ECACE Scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year (fall 2022 – summer 2023) are being accepted.
The priority consideration date for submitting an ECACE application for the 2022-23 academic year is August 15, 2022. Applications received after that date will be considered on a rolling basis if funding remains after all timely, complete qualified applicants have been awarded.
Closing Dates for ECACE Scholarships SY22:
The closing date for applications for the ECACE Scholarship for SY22 (fall 2021 – summer 2022) is June 3, 2022.
After June 3, ISAC will be finalizing pre-qualifications and working with institutions to ensure payment is made.
Most importantly, colleges and Universities must request payment of ISAC by June 29 for the scholarships. Due to the nature of the funds used to pay ECACE Scholarship awards, ISAC will be unable to process any 2021-22 payment requests (i.e., claims) submitted after June 29, 2022.
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STAR NET Regions I and III Podcast: Grief and Loss in Young Children with Elizabeth Frisbie |
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STAR NET Regions I and III has a podcast channel spanning a wide range of relevant topics in early childhood education. Recently, Emily Reilly, Assistant Project Director of STAR NET Regions I and III, had the opportunity to chat with Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant Elizabeth Frisbie about grief and loss in young children from a developmental perspective. The STAR NET Regions I and III podcast can be found on a variety of apps, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Stitcher. |
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COVID Vaccines Approved for Children 6 Months of Age and Older |
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As of June 18, 2022, the CDC now recommends COVID-19 vaccinations for young children and infants 6 months and older. The vaccines are smaller doses than for older children and adults and have been tested for their safety for these youngest children. Vaccination remains the strongest way to protect children and families. Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk to their pediatrician and make plans to get their children vaccinated and protected from COVID-19.
Illinois Vaccinates Against COVID offers resources for parents and caregivers here in English and Spanish.
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New CDC Guidance for K-12 and Early Education and Care |
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The updated guidance for K-12 schools and early care and education (ECE) programs helps support safe, in-person learning and keep ECE programs open, while managing the spread of COVID-19. The guidance outlines the range of prevention and mitigation strategies ECE programs can employ. Strategies range from promoting vaccination, staying home when sick, upgrading ventilation, and maintaining and promoting child hygiene. It also discusses masking, testing, and co-horting. Please see the updated frequently asked questions section for more information. |
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