The Quality Counts literacy program is designed to introduce child care providers to the various ways literacy activities can be included in their daily routines. The literacy coordinator makes on-site visits to programs and through a story time format introduces an age appropriate book to the children.
In addition, the coordinator is able to assess the reading and literacy environment, as well as offer suggestions on how to optimize group story time. Ideas with an emphasis on literacy can be shared to help extend the learning opportunities that are offered by incorporating books and reading in a program.
If you would like more information on the literacy program, please contact us.
The Quality Rating System (QRS) assists Illinois child care programs in providing quality care for children and their families. This initiative is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). This voluntary System is available to License-Exempt Family Child Care Providers, Licensed Family/Group Home Child Care Providers, and Licensed Centers. License-Exempt Centers will need to become licensed to participate in QRS. Providers do not need to be serving children eligible for the IDHS Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in order to participate in QRS.
The system offers progressive levels which providers can achieve depending on the type of care they provide. Specific quality criteria must be met to achieve a level. Once a child care provider has met the required criteria for a level, they will be recognized for their achievement and will receive a quality add-on rate to the CCAP standard daily reimbursement rate for any approved CCAP children they are caring for.
Interested providers can attend a QRS Orientation offered by West Central Child Care Connection. Attendance at an Orientation is required for any provider who applies to QRS. Please check our training calendar for training dates, times, and locations. The application process for QRS is administered by the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA).
For more details and the application please contact INCCRRA at 1-800-649-1884 or access their website at www.ilqualitycounts.com.
The Quality Counts Grant Program is offered through the Department of Human Services to child care providers in Illinois. These dollars are to be used to enhance the quality of care in family child care homes and centers, as well as increase the slots available in child care facilities. All homes and centers listed on the West Central Child Care Connection database are eligible to apply.
To learn more about this program please contact our Quality Counts Grant coordinator at robin@wcccc.com with any questions or to register for an information meeting to be held in January 2012! Dates and times of those information meetings can be found on page 3 of our Spring Training Calendar.
2011 Grant Recipients:
Competitive Grant Option (6 Counties Represented)
Renee Barner
Theresa Buchanan
Ruth Carnes
Cheerful Home Child Care & Learning Center
Cheryl Clayton
Shelly Collins
Lindsey Cooley
Heather Dodd
Amanda Dodson
Kimberly Doellman
Joan Dougherty
Brandy Dooley
Early Beginnings Inc.
Anita Edwards
Monica Ewing
Kathy Glore
Michelle Hart
Sandra Heaton
Kristy Henrichs
Jolene Howes
Amy Jilg
Lynne Kammerer
Trudy Kellett
Kiddie Korner Daycare Center
Kids N Care Daycare
Melissa Kinman
Lauretto M Eno CCC
Lori Likes
Sara Martin
Lori McClean
Donna McKay
Silvia McMeins
Jane Moore
Melaney Piles
Jennifer Post
Sonshine Kids Day Care
Sonshine Kids - East School
Sonshine Kids - Grafton School
Sonshine Kids - West School
Sharon Springer
Bonnie Steinkamp
Sunbeam Corner Inc.
Denise Taylor
Cynthia Tefertiller
Stefanie Thompson
Patti Tipton
Rita Vogelpohl
Melissa Washburn
Sylvia Wolf
Jill Wuestenberg
Training Option (4 Counties Represented)
Caywoods Youth Center III Inc.
Annie Kehler
Candi Erwin
Tina Lionberger
Lora Llewellyn
Dora McGahan
Kathy Mitchell
Stacie Robbins
Jessica Schrapf
Bridget Sonheim
Renda Wallace
Diana Waschenbach
Brenda Williamson
Dorina Heiden
Tina McClelland
|
