480-10-3702 Early Childhood Block Grant – Early Childhood – Prevention Initiative Training and Technical Assistance: Birth to 3 Years
Can you apply?
This grant is for Illinois-based organizations providing training and technical assistance to early childhood programs serving infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years). Applicants must have prior experience delivering professional development similar in scope to what the grant requires. Providers must align training with Standards for Professional Learning and meet Illinois educator license renewal requirements.
Eligible applicants should be familiar with Illinois Administrative Rules Part 235, Professional Educator Licensure, Illinois Early Learning Guidelines, and the Birth to Five Program Standards. Organizations must deploy qualified staff and conduct ongoing evaluation of their training effectiveness.
This grant is for Illinois-based organizations providing training and technical assistance to early childhood programs serving infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years). Applicants must have prior experience delivering professional development similar in scope to what the grant requires. Providers must align training with Standards for Professional Learning and meet Illinois educator license renewal requirements.
Eligible applicants should be familiar with Illinois Administrative Rules Part 235, Professional Educator Licensure, Illinois Early Learning Guidelines, and the Birth to Five Program Standards. Organizations must deploy qualified staff and conduct ongoing evaluation of their training effectiveness.
Program description
According to Administrative Rules 235.100 a), this grant is intended to 1) provide training, technical assistance, and high-quality supports to recipients of funding under the Early Childhood Block Grant (ECBG) (see Subpart A) and offer other professional development opportunities that include, but are not limited to, evidence-based program models, job-specific training, and support for mental health consultation and research-based curricula, as applicable to the early childhood program offered (i.e., Prevention Initiative); 2) align training and technical assistance opportunities to the Standards for Professional Learning (2011) promulgated by Learning Forward, 504 South Locust Street, Oxford, OH 45056; 3) ensure that each provider of professional development meets the requirements set forth in 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25.Subpart J (Renewal of Professional Educator Licenses) to award credit for professional development for educator license renewal purposes; and 4) support programs, leaders, and teachers to continuously improve practice and student outcomes.
Applicants will conduct ongoing evaluation to ensure that the training and PD being developed and implemented meet the needs of the local Prevention Initiative programs and staff. Due to the nature of the work that is required; prior successful experience with activities similar in scope as those called for in this NOFO/RFP; including the deployment and supervision of qualified staff; will be a crucial consideration in awarding of the grant. Applicants need to be familiar with the Administrative Rules Part 235; ISBE Professional Educator Licensure; Professional Learning Standards (Learning Forward: The Professional Learning Association); Illinois Early Learning Guidelines; Illinois Birth to Five Program Standards; PI Compliance Checklist; and Gateways to Opportunity Registry Levels of Learning. Administered by the Illinois Department of Early Childhood via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 480-10-3702).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for Illinois-based organizations providing training and technical assistance to early childhood programs serving infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years). Applicants must have prior experience delivering professional development similar in scope to what the grant requires. Providers must align training with Standards for Professional Learning and meet Illinois educator license renewal requirements.
Eligible applicants should be familiar with Illinois Administrative Rules Part 235, Professional Educator Licensure, Illinois Early Learning Guidelines, and the Birth to Five Program Standards. Organizations must deploy qualified staff and conduct ongoing evaluation of their training effectiveness.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Administrative Rules 235.100 compliance checklist
- Organizational experience documentation (prior PD delivery)
- Staff qualifications and credentials
- Training curriculum aligned with Standards for Professional Learning
- Evaluation plan and methodology
- Budget and narrative justification
Program contact
- 👤 Penny Smith
- 📧 psmith@isbe.net
- 📞 217-524-4835
FAQ
What is the target audience for this grant funding?
Organizations providing training and technical assistance to Early Childhood Block Grant recipients. Focus is on birth to 3 years early childhood programs.
What experience do applicants need?
Prior successful experience delivering professional development activities of similar scope. Staff deployment and supervision capacity required.
What training standards must be followed?
Training must align with Learning Forward Standards for Professional Learning. Providers must meet Illinois educator license renewal requirements under 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25.Subpart J.
What is the funding amount and how is it awarded?
Total pool is $1,900,000. Specific award amounts per applicant not specified in this NOFO. Awards based on demonstrated capacity and experience.
What evaluation is required?
Applicants must conduct ongoing evaluation to ensure training meets local program needs and staff development goals.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your organization's prior experience delivering professional development at scale. Document specific early childhood programs you've trained.
- Demonstrate familiarity with Illinois Administrative Rules Part 235 and Birth to Five Program Standards in your narrative.
- Show how your staff are qualified to deliver training and provide supervision. Include staff credentials and relevant certifications.
- Build a detailed evaluation plan that measures whether training improves practice and participant outcomes.
- Clearly explain how your training aligns with Learning Forward Standards and supports educator license renewal.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants underestimate training delivery scope or overstate capacity without documented experience. Lack of familiarity with Illinois-specific rules and standards undermines competitiveness. Weak evaluation plans that don't measure actual impact on program practice or teacher outcomes.
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