Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Great START Wage Supplement Program

What is the Great START Program?

Great START (Strategy to Attract and Retain Teachers) rewards child care practitioners by supplementing their income based on education they have already attained above the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) licensing standards. Great START helps an agency maintain employees, therefore increasing quality and consistent care to children, without raising parent fees. The Great START Program is administered by the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (INCCRRA), and funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Bureau of Child Care and Development.
Who is eligible to apply for the Great START Program?

Practitioners working in an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) licensed full-day/full-year (8 hours per day; 47 weeks per year) child care center, Head Start, or family/group child care home are eligible to apply. Also included are IDCFS licensed full-year school-age child care programs.

Practitioners must also be working in one of the following positions in IDCFS licensed programs:
- Family Child Care Provider, Family Child Care Assistant, Group Home Provider, Group Home Assistant
- Center Staff: Director, Assistant Director, Teacher, Assistant Teacher, School-Age Teacher, School-Age Assistant
What other eligibility requirements are there?

Great START recipients must:
- Care for Illinois children.
- Have been employed at current center or home, working at least 15 hours per week, for a minimum of one year.
- Work at least 15 hours per week on a continuous employment basis (includes work and benefit time).
- Meet wage requirements.
- Be a citizen of the United States or legal alien.
Can I use Great START and Gateways Scholarship Program at the same time?

Yes—Great START builds on and compliments the Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship Program. The Gateways Scholarship Program assists child care practitioners with attaining more education; Great START rewards those who have already attained education and remain employed at the same child care program.
How do I read the Great START wage supplement scale?

If you need assistance in reading the Great START wage supplement scale, please contact a Great START Counselor toll-free at (866) 697-8278.
What if I apply at the wrong level/option?

Counselors will adjust levels/options applied for accordingly based on information provided.
How do I apply for the program?

The applications and information on how to apply is available on the Gateways Web site at www.ilgateways.com or by calling INCCRRA’s Workforce Development department at (309) 827-5067 or toll-free at (866) 697-8278. Applicants must submit required documentation along with a Participant Application and Great START Supplement Application. Additional documentation may be required upon review of your applications.
How long may I participate in the Great START Program?

You may participate in the program as long as you continue to meet all Great START Program eligibility requirements and submit your Renewal.
What is a “Renewal” and when is it due?

“Renewals” are repeated applications to the Great START Wage Supplement Program. Renewals occur every six months following initial application to the program. Renewal schedules are as follows:

Renewal Months
Original Eligibility Month Renewal Month (6-month cycle)
January July
February August
March September
April October
May November
June December

How will I know when it is time for my Renewal?

You will receive e-mail and postcard notification 15 days prior to your renewal month.
What happens if I fail to submit my renewal application in a timely manner?

Your renewal application is due at the INCCRRA office by the last day of your renewal processing month. For example: if your Renewal month is in July, you must submit your renewal application by July 30th. Please refer to your renewal letter for the date that you should have your application turned into the INCCRRA office for processing.
How long does it take to process applications?

Applications are processed in the order in which they are received. Applications who fail to submit the required documentation will be notified by phone or mail. Applicants are allowed 90 days from receipt of an application to provide required documentation. Additional information and documentation may be requested upon review of an application.

What does it mean when my check will be “prorated?”

You must work at least 15 hours a week to be eligible to receive a Great START wage supplement. Supplements are prorated according to the hours worked in a week. Applicants who work 30 hours a week are eligible to receive a full wage supplement payment. Applicants who work less than 30 hours a week will have wage supplement amounts (checks) at a prorated amount. Please refer to the table below for the full prorated wage supplement amounts.

Great START Wage Supplement Scale Levels	Working 15–19 Hours a Week	Working 20–24 Hours a Week	Working 25–29 Hours a Week
1	$37.50	$75.00	$112.50
2	$56.25	$112.50	$168.75
3	$93.75	$187.50	$281.25
4	$131.25	$262.50	$393.75
5	$168.75	$337.50	$506.25
6	$206.25	$412.50	$618.75
7	$243.75	$487.50	$731.25
8	$300.00	$600.00	$900.00
9	$393.75	$787.50	$1181.25
10	$487.50	$975.00	$1462.50

When will I receive my check?

Once INCCRRA receives funds from IDHS, checks will be issued.
Do training hours and/or experience in the field count towards the Great START Program?

The Great START Program wage supplements are based upon formal education (college coursework from an accredited institution) in early childhood education and child development.
How do I receive a higher wage supplement?

Applicants who obtain additional college coursework may “move up” on the wage supplement scale and receive a higher wage supplement. Official transcripts must be submitted at time of renewal application to move up on the wage supplement scale and receive more money.
What is an “official transcript?”

Official transcripts mean that the transcript is sealed in an envelope by the university and left unopened. Copies of foreign evaluations may be accepted.
What happens if I leave my child care program or quit my family business?

If you leave your child care program (center), or quit your family/group child care home business, please notify your Great START Counselor. To be eligible again for Great START, you will need to be employed in a new child care program (center) or family business for one full year. (A child care program [center] is defined as one physical site that is licensed by DCFS.)

What happens if my child care center closes?

If the child care program (center) where you are employed closes, you will have 90 days from the program’s (center’s) closing date to find employment in early care and education.