480-20-3714 – Child Care Assistance Program- Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations providing early childhood mental health consultation services. Applicants must be designated Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies operating in Illinois. The program funds coordination of Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants (IECMHC) across designated Service Delivery Areas (SDAs).
Activities supported include consulting with child care providers on social-emotional development, training staff to recognize and respond to the needs of children birth through age five, and coordination of mental health support services throughout the state. Only Illinois-based CCR&R organizations may apply.
This grant is for organizations providing early childhood mental health consultation services. Applicants must be designated Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies operating in Illinois. The program funds coordination of Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants (IECMHC) across designated Service Delivery Areas (SDAs).
Activities supported include consulting with child care providers on social-emotional development, training staff to recognize and respond to the needs of children birth through age five, and coordination of mental health support services throughout the state. Only Illinois-based CCR&R organizations may apply.
Program description
Provide coordination of the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant (IECMHC) program throughout the state in each of the Child Care Resource and Referral’s designated (CCR&R) Service Delivery Area (SDA). This program is designed to help child care providers recognize, understand and respond to the social emotional needs of the children, birth through age five, in their care. Federal Assistance Listing: 93.596. Administered by the Illinois Department of Early Childhood via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 480-20-3714).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for organizations providing early childhood mental health consultation services. Applicants must be designated Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies operating in Illinois. The program funds coordination of Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants (IECMHC) across designated Service Delivery Areas (SDAs).
Activities supported include consulting with child care providers on social-emotional development, training staff to recognize and respond to the needs of children birth through age five, and coordination of mental health support services throughout the state. Only Illinois-based CCR&R organizations may apply.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- GATA Grant Application Form
- Project narrative describing IECMHC coordination plan
- Organizational capacity and qualifications documentation
- Budget and budget narrative
- Evidence of CCR&R designation in an Illinois SDA
- Letters of support from child care providers
Program contact
- 👤 Lori Harrison
- 📧 Lori.a.harrison@illinois.gov
- 📞 217-801-5344
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.596 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$894,720,530
-
$860,664,743
-
$822,121,643
-
$601,479,401
-
$527,194,089
-
$507,493,279
-
$459,794,081
-
$344,708,046
-
$338,149,639
-
$334,558,755
Top States by Funding
- CA 7 awards $3,414.6M
- TX 5 awards $1,747.7M
- FL 7 awards $1,747.3M
- NY 8 awards $1,452.7M
- OH 4 awards $947.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Designated Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies operating in Illinois SDAs. Other organizations cannot apply.
What does the program fund?
Coordination and staffing of Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants. Funding supports consultation services and training for child care providers on social-emotional development.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. There is no match or cost-sharing requirement for this grant.
What is the funding amount?
The total funding pool is $5,075,159, but the amount per award is not specified. Contact the Illinois Department of Early Childhood for individual award details.
What age group does this serve?
Children birth through age five in licensed and community-based child care settings.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Confirm your organization is a designated CCR&R agency in an Illinois SDA before investing application effort. Non-designated agencies are ineligible.
- Highlight your track record coordinating mental health services and your relationships with child care providers.
- Include a clear plan for how consultants will reach and support providers in your service area.
- Demonstrate understanding of social-emotional development in children birth through five.
- Request the full grant guidelines and any supplemental requirements from Illinois Department of Early Childhood early in your process.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without designated CCR&R status in an Illinois SDA. Proposing services outside the birth-through-five age range. Failing to explain how consultants will coordinate across the entire service delivery area.
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