FISCAL YEAR (FY) 24 EARLY CHILDHOOD BLOCK GRANT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) - 2023-2024
ISBE has released the RFP for the FY 2024 Early Childhood Block Grant and is prioritizing applicants proposing to serve the identified preschool deserts to fill critical gaps in underserved areas across the state. View the list of preschool deserts below:
The application is open to public or private not-for-profit or for-profit entities with experience in providing educational, health, social, and/or child development services to young children and their families. DCFS family childcare homes are eligible to apply in joint applications with an administrative agent from a Local Education Agency (LEA) or another eligible applicant and can learn more here:
Family Child Care Model
The
Birth to Five Illinois Regional Team is also available throughout the application window to assist with
accessing and understanding data; connecting applicants to
grant-writing support where possible; and
assisting community-based providers, such as family child care homes, with identifying opportunities for
collaboration and partners to apply for funding.
Providers that need assistance meeting the program requirements for licensed staff can learn more about the
Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program. Scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate study. Eligible applicants are individuals currently working or who have worked in the early childhood field, including in home-based or center-based child care; who have obtained membership with the
Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry; and who are enrolled or accepted to enroll in an eligible program at a participating institution in pursuit of an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in early childhood or an additional license or endorsement in the field.
ISBE also offers temporary licenses called
short-term approvals for qualified individuals to start teaching immediately while working toward permanent licensure.
*NOTE that programs seeking funding through ISBE must serve children and families outside the city of Chicago. ISBE does not fund entities in the city of Chicago. A separate appropriation has been awarded to the City of Chicago School District 299 for the initiatives funded under the ECBG Preschool for All program. Applicants proposing to provide services for children and families within the Chicago city limits must apply for funds through the Chicago Public Schools Office of Early Childhood Education.
*NOTE that the State of Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) requires applicants to complete prequalification requirements before applying for any grant. This includes completion of the Grantee Registration and prequalification process through the
Illinois GATA Web Portal. Grant applications must be submitted by the application deadline indicated in this NOFO/RFP. Applicants are advised to complete the prequalification requirements well in advance of the NOFO/RFP deadline.
STEP-BY-STEP HOW TO APPLY
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READ through the respective RFP document below.
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VIEW the respective RFP example below.
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REACH OUT to the
Birth to Five Illinois Regional Team for assistance or ask questions by contacting the ISBE
Early Childhood Department at 217-524-4835 or
earlychi@isbe.net.
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FILL OUT the respective RFP attachment below.
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SUBMIT your application via the
ISBE Attachment Manager (choose “Early Childhood RFP” in the dropdown list for ISBE eMail Name) or via email to
earlychi@isbe.net.
Need technical assistance? Sign up for a webinar here. 
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FY 24 Preschool for All Request for Proposal
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FY 24 Preschool for All Expansion Request for Proposal
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FY 24 Prevention Initiative Request for Proposal
- FY 24 Preschool for All/Preschool for All Expansion Training and Technical Assistance Request for Proposal -
CLOSED 3/3/2023
