Dedicated to strengthening
the lives of Chicago children, families and communities
The Department of Family and Support Services, Children Services Division is dedicated to helping Chicago's youngest residents make the most of their lives and potential. We manage Head Start, Early Head Start, child care and youth programs throughout Chicago. We work on behalf of families to ensure they receive quality programming.
Latest Provider News
2011 Head Start Federal Review Report
From 4/24/2011 to 5/6/2011, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) conducted an on-site monitoring review of the City of Chicago Head Start program as well as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)-funded Early Head Start Program (attached). We wish to thank the governing body, Policy Council, staff and parents of your program for their cooperation and assistance during the review. This Head Start Review Report has been issued as legal notice of the results of the on-site program review.
Download Report
2012 Directory of Head Start Delegate Agencies
The 2012 Directory of Head Start Delegate Agencies is available for download. The directory is a thorough listing of all DFSS agencies and their sites, including other important information such as addresses, phone numbers and web sites.
Download Directory
Aim4Excellence Online Director Credential
DFSS is excited to announce the return of a partnership with the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership to bring you the Aim4Excellence nationally recognized online director credential. Aim4Excellence focuses on the core leadership and management content unique to your role as an early childhood administrator. You’ll learn through an easy online delivery model anytime from anywhere you have Internet access.
Download Memo
CICC Train the Trainer Courses 2012
The 2012 list of upcoming online courses for Training of Trainers offered through the Center for Inclusive Child Care at Concordia University is now available. The CICC Train the Trainer Courses are taught by experienced educators who have strong academic and training backgrounds as well as real-world experience working with young children. Their profiles can be seen at the CICC Website in the Learning Center. Training workshops developed from the Train the Trainer courses are appropriate for Child Care, Head Start, Special Education, Learning Readiness, and School Age Providers and Educators.
Download Application | View Schedule
Head Start 101 Training Sessions
The Head Start State Collaboration office will be providing a Head Start 101 training session for all parties interested in applying to be a Head Start/Early Head Start delegate agency for the City of Chicago. The session is designed to provide information on how to operate a Head Start program, including program standards. The session is designed for organizations with no experience operating Head Start and for Head Start experienced organizations who would like a refresher, and will be offered three times at DFSS Central, 1615 W Chicago Ave, 1st Floor (street parking):
- January 17, 2012 | 1:00 pm to 4:00pm
- January 23, 2012 | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
- January 30, 2012 | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
All sessions are FREE and open to the public. We request that you notify Chesia Williams at 312.743.1604 if you plan on attending to ensure we have enough materials for distribution.
Download Memo
Illinois Immigrant Integration Summit
One Nation, One Dream: Education is Power
Saturday, February 4, 2012 | 9:00am - 1:00pm
(Doors Open at 8:00am)
Malcolm X College | 1900 W Van Buren
Make plans NOW to attend the Illinois Immigration Integration Summit. The event includes FREE workshops covering the following topics: Become a U.S. Citizen, Keeping Your Family Together, Uniting America through Volunteerism, Healthcare Reform, Youth Leadership Academy and MORE! Sponsored by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. For more information, please contact aarreola@icirr.org or visit the ICIRR Website.
Download Flyer
Important Update: Winter CLASS Course
Winter CLASS Course: Making the Most of CLASSroom Interactions
Has Been Changed to the Following Dates
Saturdays, February 11, 18 & 25, March 3, 10, & 17, 2012 | 10:00am - 4:00pm
Location TBD
This 6-week professional development course, Making the Most of CLASSroom Interactions, is hosted by the Chicago Head Start CLASS Project.
The sessions are designed to improve knowledge of teacher-child interactions and the vital role teacher behavior plays in children's learning and skill acquisition. Participants will learn to better observe and identify effective teacher-child interactions and intentional teaching strategies to improve child outcomes.
This course is intended for teachers that have been assessed in the ‘Practicing Your Skill Set’ professional development track of the Chicago Head Start CLASS Project and eligible participants will be personally invited to register. Participants that successfully complete the course will earn professional development hours, 2 hours of college credit at National Louis University, and a $400 stipend. Successful participants must earn a C or better to obtain the stipend.
Attendance to all classes and exams is required for successful completion and no make up sessions or exams will be available. Classes will be held at the same time, Saturdays from 10am to 4pm for the six weeks and no substitutes will be provided. Please note, children or guests are not permitted at any of the locations.
Registration is Available on COPA and a Valid Current Email Address is Required
Professional Development Scholarship Information
In order to assist Delegate Agency Staff in meeting their educational goals, the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is offering virtually full coverage of tuition and possibly books and fees (some institutions may require a minor charge). In order to take advantage of these opportunities, please review the general requirements listed below before you apply.
1. Applicants must be a current employee in a DFSS Funded Head Start, Early Head Start, Family Child Care Home, Child Care, or Child Care Collaboration program.
2. Applicants must be in good standing at their current place of employment.
3. Upon completion of their chosen educational program, applicants must commit to maintaining employment for 3 years in a DFSS funded HS, EHS, or FCCH program.
4. Applicants must submit a completed DFSS Scholarship Application form along with a letter of recommendation from the Agency, Program or Site Director. Letters of recommendation for Partner Sites must be certified and completed by DA. These materials should be mailed to:
City of Chicago - Department of Family and Support Services
1615 W Chicago Ave - 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60622
5. DFSS will maximize additional resources in conjunction with the scholarship including Gateway to Learning, Pell Grants, etc.
6. Acceptance of application is contingent upon verification of educational data in COPA.
Scholarship Application | School-Age Scholarship Application | Professional Development Opportunities Booklet
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