ProjectCHILD

10/09/2026

10/02/2026

The Individual Professional Development Funds application and the CPR and First Aid Reimbursement application are both available now for FY2027.

Funding is limited and is awarded on a first come, first served basis.

The applications will soon be available on our website - www.projectchild.net, but can also be accessed at the following links:

CPR and First Aid application:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oHqAFDkfhVKlSK04p-re6As_2F3qsTc9/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=105139769903520218303&rtpof=true&sd=true

Professional Development Funds application:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19GjyjVdtUO3PThh38BtOMAepDZ8AGKiG/view?usp=sharing

Please call our office if there are questions at 618.244.2210.

09/10/2026

🌟 Thinking About a Career in Early Childhood? Or Ready to Take the Next Step? 🌟

There are so many ways to grow, learn, and build a career while making a difference in the lives of young children and families!

Join us for this FREE virtual training:

🎓 Career Pathways in Early Childhood Education and Care
📅 Tuesday, September 15, 2026
⏰ 6:00–7:00 p.m.
💻 Virtual via Zoom

Ashley Baldridge, Higher Education & Workforce Development Navigator, will help participants explore:

• Career opportunities in early childhood throughout Illinois
• Education and professional development pathways
• Resources and financial supports that may be available
• Information about earning a CDA
• How a Navigator can support you as you plan your next steps

Whether you're brand new to early childhood, working toward a credential or degree, or wondering what opportunities are available to you, this is a great place to start!

✨ Your work with children matters—and there are resources available to help you grow in the profession.

📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer to register, and please share with someone who might be interested in beginning or growing their early childhood career!

09/09/2026

📣 FREE VIRTUAL TRAINING for Early Childhood Professionals!
💬 Building Language Through Meaningful Interactions
📅 Tuesday, September 15
⏰ 6:00–8:00 p.m.
💻 Virtual — join us from home!
Some of the most powerful teaching we do happens during ordinary conversations with children.
How do we turn those everyday moments into interactions that build language, relationships, curiosity, and thinking?
Join us for two interactive hours packed with practical strategies for working with children. We’ll explore meaningful back-and-forth conversations, developmentally appropriate questions, the T.R.E.A.T. framework, and ways to extend children’s thinking without taking over their play or doing all the talking!
✨ Free training. Practical ideas. Strategies you can use tomorrow.
Scan the QR code on the flyer to register, and please share with an early childhood teacher who might want to join us!

09/04/2026

Project CHILD will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day. The office will re-open on Tuesday, September 8th at 8:00 am.

08/25/2026

Register for your spot at the Sip & Support in September!

08/13/2026

Need CDA Assistance: Contact Your Higher Education & Workforce Development Navigator, Ashley Baldridge Today!

When you renew your CDA®, you do not just get a new expiration date. You get a shareable digital badge you can post anywhere that shows you are current and credentialed.

If your CDA lapsed, our Renewal Amnesty gives you a path back, open now through April 2027. https://bit.ly/3SLzw9E

08/07/2026

Update on CCAP payments - payments through 8/4/26 were issued and providers can now view their transaction in the Illinois Office of the Comptroller payment portal. https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://illinoiscomptroller.gov/vendor-services/vendor-payments-new__;!!MuFk!hFKcH0FQPlYK07_n01AKsT7RJdwlVrGVDtCflz0D-IU5-AEdQ-zT3oDgAXc2AHNMH7j3Op4YjXTLawfVUM06G0hiyz_-XHRr$.

08/07/2026

We have been notified by the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) that there have been delays processing CCAP payments. The department is working with the Comptroller's office to ensure that payments are processed as quickly as possible. As soon as a solution is made know to us, we will post it here.

08/04/2026

Did you know you can scan documents directly from your phone? Scanning provides much clearer results than simply taking a picture. Follow the instructions below to learn how to scan and share your documents with ease!