What's New?

Welcome: Joni Scritchlow,
Director of Professional Development

INCCRRA is pleased to announce the appointment of Joni Scritchlow as Director of Professional Development for Gateways to Opportunity. Joni has a graduate degree from Illinois State University and brings 25 years of field experience to Gateways. Her professional background includes specialized career development training and Community College teaching experiences, as well as communications expertise as a print media columnist.

Please join INCCRRA in welcoming Joni to the Gateways to Opportunity Professional Development Team.

Gateways receives new grants

Gateways to Opportunity is pleased to announce the receipt of a grant from the W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation.  This award will be used to support our Professional Development Advisor Program.  Our Advisors are highly qualified professionals in the field of early care and education who offer professional development and career planning advisement and assistance to practitioners in navigating the state's higher education system.

The Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) administers Gateways to Opportunity.  INCCRRA is a leader in professional development and is committed to developing an integrated statewide professional development system to promote professionalism within the early childhood field. 

Gateways wishes to acknowledge and congratulate the Professional Development Advisors who work throughout the State.  With your expertise, knowledge and dedication, early care and education practitioners in the State of Illinois are receiving support and guidance as they aspire to higher levels of professionalism.  As a result, the youngest children in our state are receiving higher quality care and education.

FAQ: Type 04 Teacher Certification

Learn more about the Type 04 Requirements - Frequently Asked Questions about Professional Development: Type 04 (Early Childhood) Teacher Certification

Institutions are awarded a mini-grant and begin piloting the Core and Infant Toddler Credentials in 2007

Awardees include : Northern Illinois University, Rend Lake College, Southern Illinois University, Kendall College, Illinois State University, Heartland Community College, McHenry County College, Lincoln Land Community College, Chicago State University, Harper College, Black Hawk College, Oakton Community College, Joliet Junior College, and National-Louis University. Download the list in PDF format.

Level 5 & 6 Benchmarks

The Benchmarks for the various levels of the Gateways to Opportunity Career Lattice have been completed. The Benchmarks for Levels 5-6 of the Core Content are now available for use by those involved in designing training or educational courses in early care and education at the bachelors or graduate level.

Level One Credential Awarded to Twenty-four Participants!

The first Level One Credential was awarded to twenty-four participants who labored for many months training and studying. The Level 1 Credential Curriculum provides basic knowledge and skills for individuals working with or seeking to work with young children and their families. It was designed for those individuals who may be interested in learning more about early care and education but are not interested in college coursework.

Learn more about the Level One Credential and the first recipients!