The Individual Professional Development Funds (IPDF) are designed to support individual pursuit of professional development in early care and education.
- Based on available funding, individual practitioners currently employed by center-based programs or family home programs (licensed or license exempt) that provide care as defined by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) may apply for these funds
- Covers the cost of individual registration fees associated with conferences/workshops not required by ExceleRate Illinois and fees associated with webinars/online training that is Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry-approved
- Covers costs associated with the following credentials:
- Child Development Associate (CDA)
- Certified Child Care Professional (CCP)
- Gateways Credentials
- Upon approval, payment will be made as a reimbursement up to 80% of associated costs with an annual (July 1 – June 30) limit of $500 per person
- Must live in one of the following counties: Champaign, Douglas, Iroquois, Macon, Piatt, or Vermilion.
- Conference/workshops must be between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.
Please complete the IPDF Application and the Vendor Information Form and return to CCRS.