Resources to Support Providers through COVID-19

• Guidance & Resources for Child Care Providers
• Guidance & Resources for School-Age Providers
• Guidance & Resources for Early Intervention Providers
• Guidance & Resources for Head Start/Early Head Start Programs
• Guidance & Resources for Home Visiting Programs
• Resources for All Early Childhood Professionals
• Mental Health Resources for All Providers

• DCFS, IDPH & GOECD - Illinois Licensed Day Care Guidance & License Exempt School-Age Guidance (updated 09/23/2022)
• Vaccination Information for the Early Childhood Workforce
  • IDHS & DCFS - Executive Order 2021-28: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (updated 11/18/21)
  • Executive Order 2021-30 (COVID-19 Executive Order No. 94) (11/12/21)
  • Executive Order 2021-28 (COVID-19 Executive Order No. 93) (reissued and amended 11/12/21)
  • Office of Child Care Dear Colleague Letter on COVID-19 Vaccines for Child Care Staff (10/26/21)
  • For the most up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination information, please visit:
    • State of Illinois: COVID-19 Response
      
    • Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH): COVID-19 Vaccination
      
    • Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS): COVID-19 Vaccination Information
      
    • Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS): Coronavirus or COVID-
      
    • Illinois Vaccinates
• Rules 406 (Emergency) Licensing Standards for Day Care Homes (6/12/2020)
• Rules 407 (Emergency) Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers (10/16/2020)
• Rules 408 (Emergency) Licensing Standards for Group Day Care Homes (6/12/2020)

For a chronological listing of updates and resources from State Agencies, visit the COVID-19 for Early Childhood page.

In 2022, the Strengthen and Grow Child Care Grant (SGCC) will provide stable, predictable funding to support high-quality child care and invest in Illinois' critical child care workforce. As announced by Governor Pritzker and IDHS Secretary Hou on December 2, 2021, the Strengthen and Grow Child Care Grant applications will open in January 2022; the program will start in February 2022 and run through January 2023. Visit the SGCC webpage for the most up-to-date information and numerous resources to support programs as they prepare to apply.

Child Care Workforce Bonus provided bonuses of up to $1,000 for eligible child care providers. Visit the Child Care Workforce Bonus webpage for more information.

Child Care Restoration Grants (CCRG) Child Care Restoration Grants are designed to support operations and cover revenue shortages generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the CCRG webpage for the most up-to-date information and support resources on this opportunity.

• Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning
• Resources for Early Care and Education
• Early Care and Education Providers - on the Frontlines of Public Health
• CDC - Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
• Child Care Aware of America - Grab, Adapt, and Go - COVID-19 Resources for Child Care Programs (downloadable)
• Office of Child Care COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Safety Reminder Campaign for Providers, Staff, and Parents

Click here or on the images above to access all the COVID-19 Safety Reminder Campaign resources in Spanish and English.

• IDPH - Public Health COVID-19 School Guidance
• For the most up-to-date information and guidance for P-12 schools, please visit the Illinois State Board of Education Coronavirus webpage.

Please go to Provider Connections - Western Illinois University (wiu.edu) and check check Covid-19 information resources and/or News posts for the most up to date information and resources from IDHS.

• Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) - COVID-19 Resources for Serving Children with Special Needs
• OSEP, ECTA, OHS & the OHS National Centers - Resources and Strategies to Support Children with Disabilities and their Families During COVID-19

• Head Start/ECLKC - COVID-19 & the Head Start Community
• Illinois Head Start Association (IHSA)
• National Head Start Association (NHSA) - Responding to COVID-19
• Head Start program staff can search for COVID-19 to find resources, questions, and connect with other Head Start programs on MyPeers.

• IDHS, MIECHV, ISBE & DFSS COVID-19 Guidance for Home Visiting, Coordinated Intake, and Doula Programs (6/14/22)
• IDHS, MIECHV, ISBE & DFSS Family Risk Screening Checklist for Home Visiting, Coordinated Intake, and Doula Programs (6/14/22)
• IDHS, MIECHV, ISBE & DFSS COVID-19 Protocols, Sample Flyer for Home Visiting Families (6/14/22)
• MIECHV Immunization Guidance (12/15/20)
• MIECHV & IDHS - Home Visiting is Essential—Referral Guidance for Providers Supporting Families During COVID-19 (6/1/2020)
• MIECHV & IDHS - Home Visiting is Essential—Information for Families During COVID-19 (6/1/2020)
• MIECHV & IDHS - Illinois Home Visiting Guidance for Breastfeeding During the COVID-19 Pandemic (5/6/2020)
• MIECHV & IDHS - Illinois Home Visiting Guidance for Addressing Intimate Partner Violence, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Concerns During the COVID-19 Pandemic (4/22/2020)

Through its "Share Your Story" initiative, the Illinois Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program has provided an opportunity for home visitors to share on-the-ground stories of their experiences, including the bright spots as well as challenges. The focus of these stories is to bring attention to the amazing work they do, to share what has been working in serving families, and to illustrate how home visitors can be supported to continue carrying out their work.

• Erikson Institute MIECHV Home Visiting Assessment Project
• Ounce Institute
• Center for Prevention Research and Development
• District 118 igrow H.O.M.E. Program
• Primo Center for Women and Children
• Stephenson County Health Department #2
• Aunt Martha's Health & Wellness, Danville
• Family Focus DuPage
• Stephenson County Health Department #1
• "On Holding" - Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
• Macon County Health Department
• Rockford Public Schools 205
• Children’s Center of Cicero Berwyn

• CDC - Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs

• CDC - Face Covering Do's & Don'ts
• CDC - Guidance on Donning and Doffing Personal Protective Equipment
• DCFS, DHS, & GOECD - Printable signs in Chinese, English, Korean, Polish, Spanish, and Tagalog for programs following the emergency rules, executive orders, and guidelines issued by the state of Illinois in adherence with the Restore Illinois Plan.

• CDC - Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
• IL Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics - Tips on Face Masking for Children During COVID-19
• NCPMI - Wearing Masks (a scripted story for children)
• Transforming School Discipline Collaborative - Toolkit for Transforming School Discipline in Remote and Blended Learning During COVID-19

GOECD, in partnership with the Illinois Pyramid Model State Leadership Team, has developed Social-Emotional Toolkits early childhood providers and leaders can use to manage stressors and promote wellness during challenging times.

• Social-Emotional Toolkit: Resources for Early Childhood Education and Care PROVIDERS
• Social-Emotional Toolkit: Resources for Birth to Five LEADERS

The Illinois AfterSchool Network and the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership developed resources, ideas and activities to support programs and families.

• Social Emotional Learning Resource Manual
• Social Emotional Learning Parent Activity Guide

• Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL) - Resources for Programs & Families During COVID-19
• National Association of School Psychologists - Countering COVID-19 Stigma and Racism: Tips for Parents and Caregivers
• National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations - The Leadership Team's Guide for Re-Opening Programs
• National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) Videos
• New America - Digital Resources for English Learner Students
• ZERO TO THREE - Coronavirus Resources for Early Childhood Professionals

• Call4Calm Emotional Support Line - Illinois residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19 can text "TALK" or "HABLAR" to: 5-5-2-0-2-0. Within 24 hours, you will receive a call from a counselor employed by a local community mental health center to provide support.
• Office of Child Care - Mental Health and Wellness Resources
• Caregiver Connections - Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Support for Child Care Providers
• ZERO TO THREE - Getting Started with Mindfulness: A Toolkit for Early Childhood Organizations