1. a) Subject to the availability of funds, the Department, through its agents, shall administer Gateways to Opportunity.
2. 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:
3. 1) Enhance the quality of services for children, youth and families;

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

   1. 3) Advance the availability of coursework and training related to quality services for children, youth and families; and
   2. 4) Identify Core Professional Knowledge for practitioners in settings serving children, youth and families.
   3. 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)