Resources

Supporting Professionals Networking Association (SPNA) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charity organized and operated to educational services and support in the public interest, conducting education and training best practices among individuals, and providing educational support to early childhood providers. 

Supporting Professionals Networking Association does not specifically endorse any of the organizations that are listed during training, in the newsletter or website, whether as news items or sponsors.

We encourage you to carefully assess whether any article, product, service, person, or vendor will meet the needs of your specific circumstance.

Agency Resources

The Department has redesigned the website to be a resource for anyone interested in licensed early childhood programs in Illinois—parents, providers, and the public. Not only can you find out about a licensed early childhood facility’s history, now you can learn about licensing standards, how to become a provider, where to find help with your early childhood expenses, how to make a complaint, etc.

https://sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov/Content/Help/News.aspx

 

Illinois Action for Children is a catalyst for organizing, developing and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most.

www.actforchildren.org

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was established on January 1, 1964 as the nation’s first cabinet-level state child welfare agency. Until that time, the state’s child welfare responsibilities were housed in the Department of Mental Health; and limited services and placement programs for children were provided by several state agencies, private agencies and county courts. Approximately 4,000 children were served during the department’s first year of operation, compared to a peak of 51,000 children in foster care in 1997 and 15,000 today.

https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/brighterfutures/healthy/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

 

 

 

The Department of Human Services is one of Illinois’ largest agencies, with more than 13,000 employees. Illinois created IDHS in 1997, to provide our state’s residents with streamlined access to integrated services, especially those who are striving to move from welfare to work and economic independence, and others who face multiple challenges to self-sufficiency.

www.dhs.state.il.us

The Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) is a statewide organization which – in partnership with its 16 local Child Care Resources and Referral (CCR&R) agencies – is a recognized leader, catalyst and resource for making high quality, affordable early care and education and school-age care options available for children and families in Illinois.

www.inccrra.org

 

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8.

www.naeyc.org/about-us

Started in 1982, the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) is the only national professional association dedicated to promoting high-quality early childhood experiences in the unique environment of family child care programs. NAFCC works on behalf of the one million family child care providers operating nationwide.

www.nafcc.org

 

 

The McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership is dedicated to improving the quality of early learning programs through professional development, research and evaluation, and public awareness. We are driven to promote greater understanding of the critical role of early childhood leaders in the provision of quality services for children and families.

https://mccormickcenter.nl.edu/