Communities
Education and Advocacy
The Illinois Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) system helps communities stay informed about early childhood services while supporting a shared understanding of the importance of child care in strong, stable communities. CCR&Rs provide clear, objective information on child care access, availability, and quality, and help community members understand how early care connects to workforce participation, school readiness, and local economic health. Through community partnerships, CCR&Rs create opportunities for education and engagement around early childhood topics. This work ensures communities have the knowledge and context needed to thoughtfully engage in conversations that impact families, providers, and the broader early learning landscape.
Illinois Data
CCR&Rs play a key role in collecting and sharing data that reflects the needs and trends of families, providers, and communities across Illinois. This includes information on child care supply and demand, service gaps, workforce capacity, and participation in programs like the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). By analyzing and reporting this data, CCR&Rs help community leaders, planners, and partners better understand local conditions and make informed decisions. Statewide data also supports coordinated planning efforts and helps identify opportunities to improve access to early care and education services.
To view data about SAL Child Care Connection's Impact, click here or the image below.
To view data about what Child Care Providers earn across SAL Child Care Connection's nine counties, click here or the image below.
To view data about the market rate for child care across Illinois, click here or the image below.
Employer Resources
The CCR&R system supports employers by helping them understand how child care access affects workforce stability, recruitment, and retention. CCR&Rs provide information on available child care options, community resources, and strategies employers can use to support working families. This may include sharing best practices, connecting businesses to local child care providers, and offering guidance on family-friendly workplace approaches. By working with employers, CCR&Rs contribute to stronger local economies and a more stable workforce.
How CCR&Rs Support Communities Across Illinois
- 1000+ strategic partnerships between CCR&Rs, state agencies, philanthropy, and local organizations
- $139 million in Smart Start Workforce Grants supported 4,064 early learning providers in increasing workforce compensation within programs serving 150,500 children most impacted by inequities
- 1,119 recruitment and retention activities supported business start-up, driving economic growth across Illinois, and 144 recruitment events focusing on expanding child care capacity
- 701 community networking engagements connecting child care to employers and economic development efforts, 893 outreach activities reaching families, providers, and community stakeholders
- 975 higher education and workforce consultations supporting individuals entering or advancing their careers in early childhood and program administration