Great START Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for the Great START Wage Supplement Program include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Care for Illinois children.
  
  
• Work in an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) licensed setting that is full-day/full-year. School-age care only programs must be full-year.
  • Full-day is defined as: being open for eight consecutive hours or more serving children.
  • Full-year is defined as: caring for children at least 47 weeks.
    
    
• Have been employed at current center or home for a minimum of one year (including work and benefit time).
  
  
• Work 15 hours or more per week on a continuous employment basis (including work and benefit time).
  
  
• Earn no more than $15.00 an hour.
  
  
• Be a citizen of the United States or legal alien.
  
  
• Applicants must also meet Wage Supplement Scale educational and job position requirements.
  
  
• Submission of additional documentation may be required upon review of an application.