§50.710. Gateways to Opportunity, the Illinois Professional Development System

a)         Subject to the availability of funds, the Department, through its agents, shall administer Gateways to Opportunity.

 

b)         Gateways to Opportunity is a professional development system designed to support a diverse, stable and quality workforce for settings serving children, youth and families specifically to:

 

1)         Enhance the quality of services for children, youth and families;

 

2)         Increase positive outcomes for children, youth and families;

 

3)         Advance the availability of coursework and training related to quality services for children, youth and families; and

 

4)         Identify Core Professional Knowledge for practitioners in settings serving children, youth and families.

 

c)         The Department shall award Gateways to Opportunity Credentials to early care and education, school-age, youth development, and family support practitioners through two application routes, as outlined in Section 50.730.

 

(Source:  Added at 36 Ill. Reg. 16085, effective October 29, 2012)