Early learning and care (ELC) professionals who work with young children in subsidized child care centers and family child care homes can apply for a professional growth stipend through the Workforce Pathways Grant (WPG) program. Stipends are available for ELC professionals who complete either 21 hours of approved professional learning or degree-pathway college units. Applications are due by April 1, 2023.
Funded in Sacramento County since 2020 by the California Department of Social Services, the WPG stipend program seeks to increase the number and qualifications of ELC teachers. A variety of factors contribute to the increased staffing needs, including pandemic-related staff career changes and program reductions, plus the move to make transitional kindergarten universally available in California. (Assembly Bill 130 is anticipated to generate the need for up to 11,000 additional transitional kindergarten teachers statewide.)
Since the program began in 2020, more than 700 ELC professionals in Sacramento County have received stipends after they completed their required professional learning hours and/or college units leading to a child development degree.
The WPG stipend program is one of two ELC workforce development efforts being overseen in Sacramento County by SCOE’s Early Learning Department. SCOE also oversees the SacE3 Consortium, which is helping to address the increased need for transitional kindergarten teachers.
For questions or more information about the WPG stipend program in the Sacramento region, email wpgsac@scoe.net or call (916) 228-2506.
WPG Stipend and Fee Reimbursement Details
Staff in qualifying programs who work at least 15 hours per week teaching children ages birth through five are eligible to apply for stipends after completing approved professional growth activities. Stipends include:
- $200–$225 per unit for early childhood education degree pathway coursework units completed with a “C” or better at any accredited college
- $400–$500 for completing 16 hours of health and safety training or 21 hours of approved training or professional learning
Related Opportunities
- Incentives for Early Learning and Care Educators—a local consortium called SacE3 is offering stipends to help early learning and care educators acquire, upgrade, or maintain their Child Development Permit.
- Opportunities for Aspiring Teachers—SacE3 is also providing $10,000 in tuition support to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Adolescent Development from CSUS and $7,000 towards an internship program to become a Transitional Kindergarten teacher.