For Providers & Educators

Find funding, training, and support for early childhood providers and educators in Chicago and across the state of Illinois.

Happy teacher coloring in class with a group of kids at an elementary school - education concepts

Access Resources, Training, and Funding in Illinois.

Early childhood providers and educators need access to training, funding, and resources in order to grow, thrive, and succeed. Find professional support and assistance suited to your needs. We are committed to supporting you and Illinois’ providers and educators in accessing support and resources.

Explore our services and programs tailored for early childhood professionals.

Illustration of four hands holding a yellow heart

Professional Development

Find early childhood professional courses, trainings, and programs designed to help you advance your career.
Illustration of a playground slide with purple accents

Promote Your Child Care Center

Join the Illinois Action for Children Child Care Resource and Referral Database and reach more parents and families looking for child care.
Illustration of a hand, palm facing upward, with a yellow coin icon hovering above

Funding Opportunities

Discover funding opportunities available to you and early childhood professionals in Chicago and across the state of Illinois.
Illustration of a circle with a heart in the middle and four person icons on each corner with purple accents.

Health and Safety Resources

Find health and safety resources and trainings near you.
Illustration of a baby wrapped in a blanket with yellow accents

Early Child Mental Health Services

Find early childhood mental health support designed to help you and the children in your care.
Illustration of two hands, palms facing inward, with a purple heart hovering between.

Healthy Food Programs

Join the Healthy Food Program to access nutrition training and financial assistance for home-based providers.

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

CCAP Support and Resources

Families you serve may be eligible for child care assistance in Illinois. Help parents and guardians navigate the Child Care Assistance Program.

Discover support and resources to assist families with child care costs and payments. Learn more about eligibility requirements, the application process, and checking payment statuses.

Learn More About CCAP

Important IDHS Information

Need assistance with your CCAP case? Explore our CCAP Provider Help Page.

CCAP Forms

Access CCAP forms online or via phone.

Purple circle background shape
Purple teardrop background shape

School Services and Consultations

Consultation Services for Providers & Educators

Illinois Action for Children’s Consultation Services engages early childhood program leaders to provide support to teachers through coaching, mentoring, professional development, training, and technical assistance.

Explore our free consultation services

Quality improvement consultations

Need help navigating Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and ExceleRate Illinois?

Our Quality Specialists work one-on-one with Illinois programs and providers to offer training, consultation, on-site or visual visits, and resources.

Illinois Action for Children’s Quality Specialists are free to you through our partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services

Learn more about Quality Improvement Consultations

Creating a better early childhood and education system in Illinois

At Illinois Action for Children, we do more than provide resources and support to providers and educators. Our research supports the early childhood field, and we use our research to advocate for policies that best serve children, families, and providers.

Illustration of a sign with the word vote with purple accent colors.

Advocacy & Policy

We are deeply rooted in advocacy that lifts community voices and drives policy change to benefit under-represented children and families, caregivers, educators and communities across Illinois.
Illustration of a vertical bar graph with a magnifying glass focusing on one bar with yellow accents.

Research

Our team researches the challenges that affect children and families today, driving better policies for the future.
A teacher in a classroom with her students around a table

Make Change for Illinois’ Children and Families

Take action with us to build strong families and powerful communities by transforming child care and early learning in Illinois, so all our young children can fulfill their life’s potential.

Donate Today

Background pattern comprised of brand shapes