Investing in Early Educators
Stipend Program

Overview of the Stipend Program

Cycle 9 Update and Next Steps

Preparing for Cycle 10

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 the CDE/CDD 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).

Educational Requirements
Stipends are awarded based on the completion of three (3) semester units (4.5 quarter units) OR six (6) semester units (9 quarter units) of eligible coursework at an accredited community college, college, or university.  Eligible coursework must be completed during the Stipend Program cycle - generally between the months of July and March (summer, fall and winter 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
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.  Extension or continuing education courses are not eligible.
   
   
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 (for teacher permit level or higher).  If you already have a permit, you may take classes needed to upgrade or renew your permit.
   
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.  Extension or continuing education courses are not eligible.  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.
   
   

   Note:  If you do not have a permit, contact the child development department at your local community college to find out whether they process permit applications.  If not, contact the Los Angeles Community College (LACC) at (323) 953-4000 ext. 2290 or ext. 2293 and mention that you are inquiring about the processing of child development permits.  You may also contact the CTC by visiting their Web site at 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; 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 www.childdevelopment.org.

   
   
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.  Extension or continuing education courses are not eligible.
   
   
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:

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

CYCLE 9 UPDATES AND NEXT STEPS

Applications and Verifications are no longer being accepted for Cycle 9.  Verifications are currently being processed to make sure that each applicant has met the educational and Child Development permit requirements. 

For applicants who submitted insufficient verification materials or did not meet the education requirements, letters will be sent by early May 2008.  Letters of appeal will be due by May 15, 2008. The appeals process is outlined in the instructions.

Qualifying applicants will be sent their stipend checks sometime in late July or early August 2008.

Instructions for Cycle 9, including the appeals process, are downloadable from the following links:

Cycle 9A:  For persons working in child development centers

Cycle 9B:  For persons working in family child care homes

English
Chinese
Spanish

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.

PREPARING FOR CYCLE 10

Cycle 10 applications are expected to become available in the summer of 2008, awaiting the outcome of State Budget decisions.  The proposed budget for 2008-09 continues funding for the Stipend Program, however with a 26.9% reduction in funds.  If the reductions occur, it could mean that stipend amounts for Cycle 10 are lower than previous years or fewer qualifying applicants will receive a stipend.  More will be known regarding the proposed cuts after Governor Schwarzenegger releases his revised budget proposal in mid-May, but the budget negotiations will continue up until the budget is signed, which should occur by July 1st, but could be delayed as late as October or November of 2008 depending on whether the Senate, Assembly and Governor can agree.

The Office of Child Care and the Child Care Planning Committee encourage persons working in eligible child care and development programs to continue your education.  The eligibility criteria and educational requirements for Cycle 10 are expected to follow closely those for Cycle 9, however updated for the 2008-09 fiscal year.  Applicants for Cycle 10 will be required to hold a Child Development Permit at the time of verification.

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).

Office of Child Care Home Page