Adams County CAREs
Building a Strong Child Care Workforce in Quincy & Adams County, IL


Adams County CAREs (Child Care Advancement and Recruitment Effort) is a community initiative dedicated to strengthening the child care workforce in Quincy and Adams County, Illinois. We attract, support, and retain dedicated early childhood professionals who are committed to nurturing and enriching the lives of local children.

This collaborative effort brings together local philanthropic, economic development, education, and child care partners to expand both the quantity and quality of child care in Adams County. Through paid internships, tuition assistance scholarships, and sign-on bonuses, CAREs provides a three-pronged approach that encourages individuals to enter and remain in the child care field.

Three Prong Approach

The Adams County CAREs advances this goal by offering a three-pronged approach that will encourage and incentivize individuals to enter and remain in the child care field.

  • Internships: Students enrolled in the early childhood education program at the Quincy Area Vocational & Technical Center are invited to participate in a paid internship with the Blessing Health System Lauretta M. Eno Early Childhood Center. 
Explore Internships
  • Scholarships: John Wood Community College Students pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education can graduate at little-to-no cost.
Explore Scholarships
  • Sign-On Bonuses: Individuals who are teacher-qualified or actively pursuing teacher qualification can receive up to $3,000 by working at an Adams County child care center.
Explore bonuses