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Back to Home PageIllinois Action for Children
  • Programs
        • Programs

          Since 1969, Illinois Action for Children has advocated for child care providers, families, and children. Our programs support everyone in creating safe, healthy, and sustainable places in the community for children.

          Explore Our Programs

        • Teacher at classroom sitting on desk, preparing for next school year. Waiting for students.
        • For Providers & Educators
          • Professional Development
            • Professional Development Training
              • Course Catalog
              • Health and Safety Training
              • Community Partner Directory
            • Promote Your Child Care Center
          • Funding Opportunities
            • CPR and First Aid Assistance Funds
            • Individual Professional Development Funds
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              • Quality Improvement Cohort
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            • ECACE Scholarship Opportunity
          • Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
            • IDHS Information
          • Healthy Food Program
          • Health and Safety Resources
          • School Services & Consultations
          • Infant Toddler Specialists
          • Early Child Mental Health Services
            • 360 Bridge Model
          • Quality Specialists
        • A community of diverse people
        • For Communities
          • Neighborhood Partnerships
          • Strengthening Connections
          • Chicago’s Early Learning Collaboration
          • North Lawndale Community Connections
          • Employer Contract Program
          • Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3)
          • Community Parenting Support Saturation Project
        • Family in portrait, parents and child are happy and relax at home, love and bonding together on sofa. Happiness, people in living room with relationship and spending quality time at the weekend
        • For Parents & Families
          • Find and Pay for Child Care
            • Find Child Care
          • Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
          • CCAP Appointments
          • Get Help With CCAP
          • Preschool & Early Learning
          • Parent University- Chicago West
  • Advocacy & Policy
        • Advocacy & Policy

          Find out how we lead change for children and child care providers through our advocacy work and policy guidance.

          About Advocacy & Policy

        • Join The MovementShape policies, raise awareness, and increase access to early education
        • Resources for AdvocatesConnect with a community of parents, professionals, and advocates
          • 2024 eAdvocate Newsletters
        • Maria Whelan Leadership InstituteLearn about professional development opportunities
          • Maria Whelan Leadership Institute Early Childhood Emerging Leaders Fellowship
        • Policy GuidesExplore key resources for policy- and decision-makers
          • All Children, All Families
        • Legislative and Community ProfilesLearn more about your local legislators
          • Illinois Senate Profiles
        • Maria Whelan
        • Maria Whelan Leadership Institute

          Discover opportunities to advance your career in early childhood education.

          Explore the Institute

  • Research
        • Research

          Understand the child care and early learning experiences of Illinois families and care providers.

          Explore Our Research

        • Research ReportsAccess the latest reports on early childhood education
        • DataFind child care and census data for your community
        • Illinois Parent SurveyHear from our parents
        • Request DataLearn how you can request and use IAFC data
        • Young girl sitting in a classroom raising her hand with other students sitting around her

        • Explore 20+ child care, early childhood and early learning research reports published by our team.

          Sign up for research reports

  • Make An Impact
        • Make an Impact

          Take action today to provide high-quality child care and early learning programs to hundreds of thousands of Illinois children affected by racial and economic injustice.

          Make an Impact

        • Make A GiftGive a financial gift of any size to support young learners
          • Make An In-Kind Gift
        • Sponsor Our EventJoin us at our largest event of the year!
        • Partner With UsLearn about corporate partnerships and other opportunities
          • Partners In Action
          • Distinguished Partners
        • FundraiseRaise awareness and financial support
        • Siblings, boy and girl children hugging and bonding together as a happy family indoors during summer. Portrait of young, cute and beautiful kids smiling, embracing and enjoying their fun childhood
        • Give a Gift

          Make a gift and support our mission and vision for a more just and equitable childhood in Illinois.

          Give a gift today

  • About IAFC
        • About IAFC

          We believe that every child in Illinois deserves every opportunity to succeed.

          Our Mission

        • Our MissionLearn how we support children and families
        • Our TeamMeet the dynamic leaders behind IAFC
          • Leadership
          • Board of Directors
          • Team Members
        • Our ImpactSee what the numbers reveal about our reach
          • Annual Report
          • Strategic Plan
        • IAFC PartnersLearn how we network with parents and professionals
        • CareersJoin our team!
        • Sylvia Cotton
        • About Sylvia Cotton

          Our founder, Sylvia Cotton, envisioned a world where every child receives the nurture and care they deserve. Today, we are making her vision a reality.

          Learn more about IAFC

Donate Now
  • Programs
    • For Providers & Educators
      • Professional Development
        • Professional Development Training
          • Course Catalog
          • Health and Safety Training
          • Community Partner Directory
        • Promote Your Child Care Center
      • Funding Opportunities
        • CPR and First Aid Assistance Funds
        • Individual Professional Development Funds
        • Quality Improvement Funds
          • Quality Improvement Cohort
          • Training Stipends
          • Accreditation Assistance
        • ECACE Scholarship Opportunity
      • Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
        • IDHS Information
      • Healthy Food Program
      • Health and Safety Resources
      • School Services & Consultations
      • Infant Toddler Specialists
      • Early Child Mental Health Services
        • 360 Bridge Model
      • Quality Specialists
    • For Communities
      • Neighborhood Partnerships
      • Strengthening Connections
      • Chicago’s Early Learning Collaboration
      • North Lawndale Community Connections
      • Employer Contract Program
      • Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3)
      • Community Parenting Support Saturation Project
    • For Parents & Families
      • Find and Pay for Child Care
        • Find Child Care
      • Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
      • CCAP Appointments
      • Get Help With CCAP
      • Preschool & Early Learning
      • Parent University- Chicago West
  • Advocacy & Policy
    • Join The Movement
    • Resources for Advocates
      • 2024 eAdvocate Newsletters
    • Policy Guides
      • All Children, All Families
    • Legislative and Community Profiles
      • Illinois Senate Profiles
    • Maria Whelan Leadership Institute
      • Maria Whelan Leadership Institute Early Childhood Emerging Leaders Fellowship
  • Research
    • Research Reports
    • Data
    • Illinois Parent Survey
    • Request Data
  • Make An Impact
    • Make A Gift
      • Make An In-Kind Gift
    • Sponsor Our Event
    • Partner With Us
      • Partners In Action
      • Distinguished Partners
    • Fundraise
  • About IAFC
    • Our Mission
    • Our Team
      • Leadership
      • Board of Directors
      • Team Members
    • Our Impact
      • Annual Report
      • Strategic Plan
    • IAFC Partners
    • Careers
Donate Now
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  • Get Help with CCAP
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Illinois Action for Children Celebrating 55 Years

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