Resources to Support Providers through COVID-19

Strengthen and Grow Child Care Grants (SGCC) 

In 2022, the Strengthen and Grow Child Care Grant (SGCC) will provide stable, predictable funding to support high-quality child care and invest in Illinois' critical child care workforce. As announced by Governor Pritzker and IDHS Secretary Hou on December 2, 2021, the Strengthen and Grow Child Care Grant applications will open in January 2022; the program will start in February 2022 and run through January 2023. Visit the SGCC webpage for the most up-to-date information and numerous resources to support programs as they prepare to apply.  

Child Care Workforce Bonus  provided bonuses of up to $1,000 for eligible child care providers. Visit the Child Care Workforce Bonus webpage for more information. 

COVID-19 Safety Reminder Campaign for Providers, Staff, and Parents

Click here or on the images above to access all the COVID-19 Safety Reminder Campaign resources in Spanish and English. 

Share Your Story Initiative—Home Visiting Inspiration in Illinois During COVID-19

Through its "Share Your Story" initiative, the Illinois Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program has provided an opportunity for home visitors to share on-the-ground stories of their experiences, including the bright spots as well as challenges. The focus of these stories is to bring attention to the amazing work they do, to share what has been working in serving families, and to illustrate how home visitors can be supported to continue carrying out their work.

• Erikson Institute MIECHV Home Visiting Assessment Project
• Ounce Institute
• Center for Prevention Research and Development
• District 118 igrow H.O.M.E. Program 
• Primo Center for Women and Children
• Stephenson County Health Department #2
• Aunt Martha's Health & Wellness, Danville
  
• Family Focus DuPage
• Stephenson County Health Department #1
• "On Holding" - Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
• Macon County Health Department 
• Rockford Public Schools 205 
• Children’s Center of Cicero Berwyn 

• CDC - Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs 
  

•  CDC - Face Covering Do's & Don'ts
  
• CDC - Guidance on Donning and Doffing Personal Protective Equipment
  
• DCFS, DHS, & GOECD - Printable signs in Chinese, English, Korean, Polish, Spanish, and Tagalog for programs following the emergency rules, executive orders, and guidelines issued by the state of Illinois in adherence with the Restore Illinois Plan.
  

GOECD, in partnership with the Illinois Pyramid Model State Leadership Team, has developed Social-Emotional Toolkits early childhood providers and leaders can use to manage stressors and promote wellness during challenging times.

• Social-Emotional Toolkit: Resources for Early Childhood Education and Care PROVIDERS
• Social-Emotional Toolkit: Resources for Birth to Five LEADERS

• Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL) - Resources for Programs & Families During COVID-19
• National Association of School Psychologists - Countering COVID-19 Stigma and Racism: Tips for Parents and Caregivers
  
• National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations - The Leadership Team's Guide for Re-Opening Programs
• National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) Videos 
  
• New America - Digital Resources for English Learner Students
  
• ZERO TO THREE - Coronavirus Resources for Early Childhood Professionals