CCRS

05/29/2026

05/27/2026

Come see Val and Newcomb at the Rantoul Community Service Center today if you need help with childcare.

05/20/2026

Below are the trainings that we are offering through Zoom in June:

- Social-Emotional Development and Positive Behavior Outcomes

Tuesday, June 9, and Thursday, June 11, from 6:00 pm – 9:15 pm (MUST attend both sessions), 6.5 Training Hours FREE

Presenter: Leslie Holycross, ITN Trainer, SEIU Trainer

When it comes to behaviors, it’s all about social emotional development. During this training, we will reflect on the use of developmentally appropriate social and emotional techniques, how they impact and reinforce positive attachment relationships, and how they lead to changes in behavior. Caregiving relationships will be shown to support emotional regulation and social skills by modeling and encouraging positive behaviors in young children. By using visuals, group discussions, and case studies, you will be able to support meaningful social and emotional growth within your childcare program. Through examining your own beliefs, reflecting on various theoretical perspectives, and considering the realities of childcare programs, we can share tools that support culturally relevant ways to implement social and emotional learning.

- Trauma 101: The Impact of Childhood Trauma

Monday, June 15, from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, 1.5 Training Hours FREE

Presenter: Abby Behrens, Central Region Prevention Specialist, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois

Step into the world of trauma-informed care with this foundational training designed to deepen your understanding of how early traumatic experiences shape brain development, behavior, and long-term well-being. We’ll unpack the differences between acute and complex trauma, examine the powerful findings of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study, and explore its influence on trauma-sensitive practices. This session also includes a critical look at secondary trauma and introduces strategies for fostering resilience in children and families affected by complex trauma.

Contact Jenny Garinger at [email protected] to register for either of these classes.

If you prefer to do trainings on your own schedule, remember the Gateways i-learning website is always available: https://courses.inccrra.org. These trainings are Gateways Registry-approved and cover a variety of child development and early childhood education topics. Trainings automatically appear on your Gateways Registry Professional Development Record (PDR), and they are FREE. Be sure to have your Gateways Registry online username and password to login.

05/20/2026

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS

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) and 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 through June 30) limit of $500 per person
- Must live in one of the following counties: Champaign, Douglas, Iroquois, Macon, Piatt, or Vermilion.

Please complete the IPDF Application and the Vendor Information Form and return to CCRS.

This form is available at: Quality Improvement Funds (https://ccrs.illinois.edu/files/2025/08/FY26-PDF-App.pdf)

05/20/2026

Here is the training that we are offering in-person in June:

Healthy Kids, Healthy Future: Physical Activity Learning Session (PALS)

Saturday, June 13, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (1 hour lunch on your own), Bevier Hall, Room 372, 905 S. Goodwin Ave., 6.0 Training Hours FREE

Presenter: Kathy Martin, Infant Toddler Specialist, CCRS

The PALS training is designed to give early care providers a solid knowledge base of best practices for physical activity with emphasis on healthy lifestyles, environments, and bodies. The PALS content addresses physical activity for children birth through age five years, and how to implement physical activities in their programs and share with families. The goal of PALS is to support practice and policy changes in ECE programs. PALS combines content learning with self-assessments, policy development opportunities, resources, and materials, to support practice change in ECE programs, leading to healthier, more active children.

Contact Jenny Garinger at [email protected] to register.

05/20/2026

In partnership with CCRS, the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Early Childhood (IDHS-DEC) is providing funds to assist childcare practitioners to achieve First Aid (FA)/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification.

Below are the guidelines, please read carefully. For the purpose of this document “program” refers to both childcare centers and family childcare homes; “provider” is inclusive of all childcare practitioners (center staff & family childcare).

Eligibility Criteria:
- Provider must be employed by a program that is actively providing childcare at the time of application.Program may be licensed or license exempt.
- Provider must be a current member of the Gateways to Opportunity Registry (applies to individual and group).
- The childcare program must be listed on the Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency’s referral database and must currently be providing care in one of the following Illinois counties: Champaign, Douglas, Iroquois, Macon, Piatt, or Vermilion.
- The childcare program must have no unpaid financial obligation to the CCR&R agency or the IDHS-DEC.
- Priority is given to programs currently caring for 50% or more children whose care is paid for by the IDHS Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).
- FA/CPR class must be between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.

Please complete the First Aid & CPR Funds Program Application and the Vendor Information Form and return to CCRS.

This form is available at: FY26-FA-CPR-APP.pdf

05/20/2026

Here are the upcoming CPR/1st Aid classes for childcare providers:

Thursday, June 25, 2026 (limited to 12 people) 6 pm – 9 pm

Champaign Public Library, Robeson Pavilion Room C, 200 W. Green St., Champaign, IL
Register by calling/texting Jessica McMahon at 217-898-8846
Saturday, June 27, 2026 (limited to 12 people) 8:30 am – 11:30 am

Bevier Hall, Room 372905 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL
Register by calling/texting Jessica McMahon at 217-898-8846
Please note:

No young children are allowed to attend the course.
Participants may not enter the course late.
Participants must remain for the entire course.
Participants must have a valid e-mail address in order to receive certification card.h