Illinois Resources

STARNET (Support and Technical Assistance Regionally)

The Illinois STAR NET envisions a future where early childhood professionals and families have the supports needed to provide all children with a high quality, equitable education in inclusive environments. STAR NET’s mission is to promote:

  • evidence-based inclusive practices for young children with disabilities.
  • professional development to support educators and families.
  • meaningful child outcomes through innovative and engaging learning experiences.

STAR NET is regionally based. You can find your region on this map.

On demand learning, training calendars, and resources are available through STAR NET.

Podcasts on topics related to early childhood topics are also available.

Gateways to Opportunity

Gateways to Opportunity is a statewide professional development support system designed to provide guidance, encouragement, and recognition to individuals and programs serving children, youth, and families. The Statewide Online Training Calendar lists trainings that have been Registry-approved as well as trainings offered through the states’ Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Agencies.

Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL)

Supporting best practice in Early Childhood education with free professional development workshops and webinars, resources, and information that promotes high quality outcomes for young children and their families. ECPL invites you to explore professional learning opportunities and resources for the Illinois Early Childhood workforce, especially those working in state funded programs. These offerings reflect the latest evidence based practices in Early Childhood education and the latest adult learning theories

ExceleRate Illinois

ExceleRate Illinois is a statewide quality rating and improvement system designed to make continuous quality improvement an everyday priority among early learning providers. The program establishes standards for helping infants, toddlers and preschool age children develop intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. It provides a framework for early learning professionals to identify opportunities for improvement, increase their skills and take steps to make positive changes.

Illinois Early Learning Project

The Illinois Early Learning Project Web site is a source of evidence-based, reliable information on early care and education for parents, caregivers, and teachers of young children in Illinois.

Partner Plan Act

Understanding IL Early Childhood System

The Early Intervention Training Program at the University of Illinois provides training opportunities for early intervention professionals in Illinois. Their mission is to develop a system that is regionalized, responsive and reflective of best practice in the field of early intervention in Illinois while promoting growth, service, and belonging. EITP sponsors numerous training events each year that support the mission and vision of the Illinois Early Intervention System. They have a”Non-EITP Events” calendar also includes events from other sponsoring entities that have been reviewed by EITP for Early Intervention credit.

Parent Training and Information Centers.

Family Resource Center on Disabilities serves the Chicago Metro area. You can find out more about the work they do at www.frcd.org.

Family Matters Parent Training & Information serves the 94 counties in Illinois outside of the Chicago area. You can find out more about their work at www.fmptic.org.

The early childhood system is complex – comprising of different programs and funding streams. Sometimes, it may be hard to understand the early childhood system and how to best serve young children and families in Illinois. Through the generous support of the Boeing Company, Illinois Action for Children produced a sewries of eight videos that features a different part of the early childhood system. The videos are intended to help individuals that work with families and young children directly to understand how they can best make referrals and connect them to helpful services.