Investing in Early Educators Stipend Program

Special Alert: Cycle 10

Overview of the Stipend Program

Cycle 10 Applications Now Available!

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 of teachers working in child development programs – centers and family child care homes – in which most of the children are subsidized by the State. In addition, the Stipend Program helps teachers work towards completing college coursework that 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:

1. 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 a CDE/CDD-contracted agency at the time the application is submitted; AND
   
   
2. 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
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. 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 http://www.laup.net and click on Professional Growth Opportunities for more information.

Educational Requirements
Stipends are awarded based on the completion of at least three (3) semester units (4.5 quarter units) of eligible coursework at an accredited community college, college, or university. Eligible coursework must be completed during the Stipend Program cycle - generally the spring, summer and fall semesters - and applicants must pass the 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. Extension or continuing education 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.
   
   
2. If you do not have a child development permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), you may take required child development classes, or the required general education courses. 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 the CTC by visiting their Web site at http://www.ctc.ca.gov. Click on “Credentialing”, then “Child Development Permits” and follow the instructions for obtaining or upgrading your permit. To be eligible for a stipend, applicants must hold a valid child development permit; it takes approximately two to nine months for your permit to be issued. Community colleges can often process permit applications more quickly than the CTC. In addition, the Child Development Training Consortium offers support to eligible persons applying for, renewing, or upgrading their permits; information is available at http://www.childdevelopment.org.



3. If you do NOT have an Associate Degree (AA/AS), you may take English, math or general education classes; OR prerequisites to classes that are transferable for degree credit, including 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 may 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 may take college or university classes that are directly related to your work with children and families. Sample topics include: the child with special needs, diversity, second 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 Program is a two-part process:

1. Application: determines that the applicant has met the employment eligibility criteria.
   
   
2. Verification: verifies that the applicant has met the educational requirements, holds a Child Development permit, and continues to meet the employment criteria.

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

More Information
For more information or to request an application with instructions, contact the Office of Child Care, Investing in Early Educators Stipend Program at (213) 974-4674.

CYCLE 10 APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE!

The Los Angeles County Child Care Planning Committee and Office of Child Care are pleased to announce the launch of Cycle 10. As noted in the Special Alert at the beginning of this page, funding for Cycle 10 is dependent on the availability of funds from the California Department of Education/Child Development Division (CDE/CDD).

Instructions and applications for Cycle 10 are now available for download from the following links:

Cycle 10A: For persons working in child development centers

Cycle 10B: For persons working in family child care homes

• Spanish
• Chinese (coming soon!)

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.

Office of Child Care, within the Service Integration Branch
of the Chief Executive Office
222 S. Hill St., 5th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 974-4103 Phone – (213) 217-5106 Fax

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.  As an alternative, our office is approximately 1½ blocks from the MetroRedLineCivicCenter stop (follow the exit to Hill Street).

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