Text Box: STAR NET Mission   Illinois STAR NET provides a variety of opportunities for personal and professional growth for those who touch the lives of young children, ages birth through eight, with an emphasis on children with special needs.  STAR NET supports family-centered, researched and effective practices in early childhood education and care.   STAR NET accomplishes its mission through a variety of opportunities that include, but are not limited to:   Collaboration Funding Opportunities Information and Resources Linkages and Networking Workshops and Conferences Technical Assistance and Consultation       Fellowship Program Region VI offers fellowships to early childhood professionals and parents who have young children with special needs (under the age of 8) to workshops, seminars or conferences that focus on young children with special needs.  The fellowships are open to individuals who live in the counties of Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Will or South Suburban Cook County. Fellowships are awarded on a first come, first served basis throughout the grant year from July 1 to June 30th.  Guidelines for each fellowship are listed below.  If you would like to apply for a fellowship go to the “form” page on this website to download the application form.    Family Fellowships A family fellowship provides parents of children with disabilities the opportunity to be reimbursed for expenses up to $200.00 per family to attend a workshop, seminar or conference that will benefit their family. Guidelines §         You must be a parent/guardian of a child with special needs under the age of 8 and live in the counties of Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Will or South Suburban Cook. §         Applicants will be limited to one Fellowship per grant year. (July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005). §         Applications must be submitted at least one month prior to the event. §         A copy of your registration form and other workshop information must accompany your Award Application. §         Fellowships are limited to a maximum of $200.00. §         It is your responsibility to send in your own registration §         Reimbursement form is to be returned with original receipts.  These must be received no later than two (2) months after the event. §         Claims for child care must have receipts from the provider. §         The destination must exceed 200 miles (round trip) to qualify for lodging expenses.   Professional Development Fellowships A professional development fellowship provides professionals, who work in an Early Childhood Special Education program, the opportunity to be reimbursed for expenses up to $200.00 to attend a workshop, seminar or conference directly related to their field.  The applicant must be a professional currently working in an Early Childhood Special Education program in a public school and employed in the counties of Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Will or South Suburban Cook County. Guidelines  Applicants will be limited to one Fellowship per grant year. (July 1, 2004 to   June, 30 2005). Applications must be submitted at least one month prior to the event. A copy of your registration form and other workshop information must accompany your Award Application. Fellowships are limited to a maximum of $200.00. It is your responsibility to send in your own registration Reimbursement form is to be returned with original receipts as soon as possible after the event.  These must be received no later than two (2) months after the event. The destination must exceed 200 miles (round trip) to qualify for lodging expenses. Due to funding constraints STARNET reserves the right to limit the amount/number of fellowships given to a single organization or for a single event.