Investing in Early Educators Stipend Program

Special Alert:  Cycle 11

Overview of the Stipend Program

Cycle 10 Stipends Awarded

Cycle 11 Update

		Special Alert:  Cycle 11
	Funding for Cycle 11 is dependent on the availability of funds from the California Department of Education/Child Development Division (CDE/CDD).  On July 28, 2009, the Governor approved the 2009-10 budget package, which includes significant cuts to education and health and human services.  While child care and development was targeted for some cuts in funding, including elimination of the Extended Day/Latchkey Program, the Budget fully funds the child care and retention recruitment programs (in Los Angeles County, it is the Investing in Early Educators Stipend Program).  It should be noted that the state budget crisis is not over, which means the Legislature and the Governor will continue to negotiate solutions to balance it in the coming months.  The Office of Child Care will continue to closely monitor future budget proposals relating to child care and development services. The Office of Child Care and the Child Care Planning Committee encourages persons working in child care and development programs to continue your education.  If you plan to participate in Cycle 11, qualifying classes should be completed during the Spring, Summer, and/or Fall semesters of 2009.  Future updates regarding the Stipend Program and Cycle 11 will be posted on this Web site.

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OVERVIEW OF THE STIPEND PROGRAM

Introduction
The Investing in Early Educators Stipend Program, funded by the California Department of Education/Child Development Division (CDE/CDD) and developed by the County of Los Angeles Child Care Planning Committee, is designed to increase the retention and academic preparedness of teachers working in child development programs – centers and family child care homes – in which most of the children are subsidized by the State.  Stipends are made available to teachers completing college coursework that informs their work with children and families, and/or contributes towards a degree in child development or a closely related field.

Employment Criteria
Teachers must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for a stipend:

• Work in a CDE/CDD-contracted child development center or participate in a CDE/CDD-contracted Family Child Care Home Education Network, OR

Work in a licensed center or family child care home in which the majority (51% or more) of the
children receive a child care subsidy from the CDE/CDD at the time the application is submitted; AND

• Work directly teaching children as a teacher, teacher/director (those with dual roles), teacher aide/assistant, or substitute in the classroom on a consistent and continual basis at least 15 to 20 hours per week depending on program type and job title; AND
  
  
• If working in a center, maintain employment at any child development program located in Los Angeles County for at least one year during the Stipend Program cycle, which typically runs from July 1st through June 30th.

For family child care homes, have been licensed and operating for one year in Los Angeles County or been employed in a family child care home located in Los Angeles County for one year during the Stipend Program cycle.

• Hold a Child Development Permit awarded by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

Note:  If you work in a Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) classroom only, you may be eligible for their Professional Growth Plan (PGP) Stipend Program.  Visit www.laup.net and click on Professional Growth Opportunities for more information.

Educational Requirements
Depending on the availability of CDE/CDD funds, stipends will be awarded based on the following criteria: 

• Completion of at least three semester units (4.5 quarter units); or
  
  
• Completion of six (6) semester units (9 quarter units) maximum.
  
  
• Teachers earning an Associate, Bachelor or Master Degree in child development may qualify for an additional stipend if the participant graduates during the Stipend Program cycle.

For applicants who do not have a degree in Child Development, eligible coursework must lead to a degree in child development at an accredited community college, college, or university and be completed during the Stipend Program cycle - generally between the months of July and March (summer, fall and winter semesters).  For applicants who hold a degree in Child Development, eligible coursework must relate directly to your work with children and families.  All applicants must pass their class(es) with a grade of “C” or better.  Copies of official transcripts from accredited educational institutions are required to verify successful completion of the coursework. 

Eligible Coursework
All courses must be unit-bearing and fulfill the requirements for a degree in child development.  Extension courses are not eligible unless the applicant has a Bachelor degree (BA/BS) or higher.

Eligible coursework is limited to the following five categories:

1. If you are not proficient in English, you may take English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes at a community college if directed to do so by your college.  This option is intended for applicants needing to improve their English language skills in order to enroll in college classes toward earning a degree in child development.
   
   
2. If you do not have a child development permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), you should take required child development classes, or the required general education courses (for teacher permit level or higher).  If you already have a permit, you may take classes needed to upgrade or renew your permit.

Note:  If you do not have a permit, contact CTC by visiting their Web site at www.ctc.ca.gov or contact the child development department at your community college.  Click on “Credentialing”, then “Child Development Permits” and following the instructions for obtaining or upgrading your permit.  Community colleges can often process permit applications more quickly than the CTC.  In addition, the Child Development Training Consortium offers support to eligible person applying for, renewing, or upgrading their permits; more information is available at http://childdevelopment.org

You will need a valid permit to qualify for a stipend at the time of verification; it takes approximately two to nine months for your permit to be issued.

3. If you do NOT have an Associate Degree (AA/AS), you can take child development, English, math or general education classes; OR prerequisites to classes that are transferable for a degree in child development.  Check with an advisor at your college or university before enrolling in a class if you are not sure it is a prerequisite or transferable class.

4. If you have an AA/AS or are working towards a Bachelor Degree (BA/BS), you should take classes that are transferable and are counted as credit toward a four-year college or university degree; OR classes at a four-year college or university that count towards a degree.  Acceptable degrees include Early Childhood Education, Early Special Education, Child Psychology, and Child Development. 

5. If you have a BA/BS OR higher, you should take college or university classes that are directly related to your work with children and families in a child development program.  Sample topics include:  the child with special needs, diversity, dual language learners, parent relations, adult supervision, program evaluation, and advanced child development.  Unit bearing extension or continuing education courses can be counted as eligible only for individuals who already hold a BA/BS or higher.

Application Process
Applying to the Stipend Programis a two-part process:

1. Application:  determines that the eligibility criteria have been met.  Applications with supporting documents are generally due in the fall.

2. Verification:  verifies that the applicant has met the educational requirements, holds a Child Development permit, and continues to meet the employment criteria.  Verification forms with supporting documents are generally due by late winter/early spring.

Stipend Amounts
Stipend amounts vary depending on the amount of available CDE/CDD funding and the number of successful applicants.  Teachers earning an Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts or Master degree may qualify for an additional stipend if they also graduate during the Stipend Program cycle, typically in January or June.

More Information
Instructions and applications to the Stipend Program are typically posted in the summer on this Web site.  Applications with instructions may also be requested by contacting the Office of Child Care, Investing in Early Educators Program at (213) 974-4674.

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CYCLE 10 STIPENDS AWARDED
The Office of Child Care and the Child Care Planning Committee commend the 1,994 participants in Cycle 10 of the Investing in Early Educators Program for completing coursework towards a degree in child development.  Congratulations are also extended to the 179 participants who successfully earned Associate of Arts, Bachelor, or Master Degrees during Cycle 10. 

Table 1.  Cycle 10 Stipend Recipients			Table 2.  Cycle 10 Stipend Awards
Program Type	Number of Participants		Credits/Degrees Earned	Stipend Amounts
Family Child Care	194		3 units	$1000
Center Staff	1,800		6 units	$2010
Total	1,994		Graduation Stipends
Number of Graduates			Associate of Arts	$250
Associate of Arts	69		Bachelor of Arts	$550
Bachelor of Arts	93		Master Degree	$750
Master Degree	17
Total	179

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CYCLE 11 APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE!

Applications are no longer being accepted for Cycle 11.  Participants are encouraged to download and review the instructions for the education requirements, important dates and future deadlines. The appeals process, if appropriate, is also outlined in the instructions.   As noted in the Special Alert at the beginning of this page, funding for Cycle 11 is dependent on the availability of funds from the California Department of Education/Child Development Division (CDE/CDD).  The 2009-10 State Budget signed on July 28, 2009 provides full funding for the Stipend Program, however the State continues to face a persistent and growing budget deficit, which will be addressed by the legislature beginning in January 2010.

Instructions for Cycle 11 are available for download from the following links:

Cycle 11A:  For persons working in child development centers

Cycle 11B:  For persons working in family child care homes
English
Spanish
Chinese

To download the materials, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available as a plug-in on most browsers.  Read the instructions on how to install Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Parking is available at the public parking lot just south and adjacent to the building for $9.00 or across the street for $2.50 for every 15 minutes for a maximum of $7.00.  Unfortunately, we do not validate parking.  As an alternative, our office is approximately 1½ block south from the Metro Red Line Civic Center stop (follow exit to Hill Street).

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