ELC Stipend Program

Must meet Criteria #1-3 and at least one from #4:

1. At least 18 and have a Social Security Number or Tax ID Number.
2. Work in ELC field in San Mateo County for at least 6 months during program year (July 2020 to June 2021).
3. Work minimum of 15 hours/week directly with children 12 years or younger.
   • Not in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) - 8th Grade
   • Work can be in-person or via Distance Learning
4. Meet at least ONE of the following:
   • Be employed at a Quality Counts San Mateo program (https://smcqualitycounts.org/).
   • Be employed at a program that has enrolled children receiving a subsidy either through a state-contract (CCTR or CSPP) or through a 4Cs voucher (APP or CalWORKs).

#1  BY NOVEMBER 13, 2020:  Complete online application

• Note: You will need an ECE Workforce Registry Number and complete profile to apply. 

                          Application (English) (The 2020-2021 Application is now closed to new applicants)
                          La Solicitud (En Español) (The 2020-2021 Application is now closed to new applicants)
                          Application (Chinese) (The 2020-2021 Application is now closed to new applicants)

           Learn more about the ECE Workforce Registry at https://www.caregistry.org/

#2  BY NOVEMBER 13, 2020: Mail Supplemental Documents

• A signed W-9 Form with applicant’s legal name (W9 Form)
• Copies of College Degree(s), if applicable
• Copy of Child Development Permit, if applicable

                            Mail to:
                                       San Mateo County Office of Education
                                       Attn: Ian Johnson
                                       101 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City,
                                       CA, 94065

#3  BY MARCH 31, 2021: Complete Education Plan and/or Professional Growth Plan with an advisor.

• Workforce Advising is provided at Skyline and Cañada Colleges:

                                   Kristina Brower                                  
                                   Program Services Coordinator                
                                   Skyline College                                    
                                   brower@smccd.edu                                
                                   (650) 738-4304                                                                       

                                   Jamie Hui
                                   Program Services Coordinator
                                   Cañada College
                                   huij@smccd.edu
                                   (650) 306-3404

              They offer advising for: Child Development Permits, College certificates, CD/ECE Associate’s degree, and Professional Growth Hours

#4 *UPDATE* Employment Verification Forms will be sent directly to your employer to verify your employment for the period of July 1, 2020 and now. Employers will have until June 5, 2021 to confirm employment.

All participants are advised to either read the Stipend Program Guide or view the Stipend Program Overview to fully understand the Stipend Program Eligibility, Requirements and Process.

      Stipend Program Guide (In English) (In Spanish)

      Stipend Program Overview Video (In English) (In Chinese) (In Spanish) 

      Stipend Program Slides (In English) (In Chinese) (In Spanish)

• Determine if you are on the College Coursework Track (open to all participants completing higher education units) or the Training Track (open to participants who are completing training or workshops.)
• Meet with an ELC Stipend Program College Advisor or a Professional Growth advisor by March 31, 2021.
• Complete higher education units and/or trainings according to your Education Plan or Professional Growth Plan between July 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021.
• Submit transcripts and/or “Education and Training Report” from the Workforce Registry by June 5, 2021.

                            Mail to:
                                       San Mateo County Office of Education
                                       Attn. Ian Johnson
                                       101 Twin Dolphin Drive
                                       Redwood City, CA  94065

The College Coursework Track

• If you are completing unit-bearing coursework toward a child development permit, an Associate's Degree, or Bachelor's Degree in ECE / Child Development, you are on the College Coursework Track!
• Open to new and returning participants
• Approximate stipend amount = $650

                    For completion of 6 units minimum toward degree or permit

                         If less than 6 units, offering a prorated stipend amount

• College Coursework Track participants cannot also receive a Training Track stipend

Requirements

• Meet with College Advisor to complete or update Education Plan with coursework for current academic year.
• Complete a minimum of six (6) semester or nine (9) quarter units (approved by Stipend Program Advisor) with a passing grade of ‘C’ or higher. If less than 6 units are completed, participants can receive a prorated stipend amount.

                    Coursework must be completed between July 1, 2020 - May 31, 2021

• If taking coursework toward an Associate’s degree, must take classes at Skyline, College of San Mateo, Cañada, OR at a college approved by your Stipend Program College Advisor.
• If taking classes toward a Bachelor’s degree, must complete coursework at a regionally accredited higher education institution and submit an approved Education Plan from your four-year institution(s) to your Stipend Program Advisor for approval.
• If attending an approved college outside of San Mateo County Community College District, mail transcripts for coursework by June 5, 2021 to:

                              San Mateo County Office of Education
                              ATTN: Ian Johnson
                              101 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City
                              CA, 94065 

Education Milestones

Returning Stipend Program participants are eligible for an “Education Milestone” stipend if they complete one of the following, with Advisor approval, between July 1, 2020 and June 5, 2021:

• MILESTONE 1: STIPEND: $200

            12 CD/ECE units applicable to Associate Teacher Permit AND applicable to Associate’s Degree

• MILESTONE 2: STIPEND: $300

            24 CD/ECE Units and 16 General Education Units applicable to Teacher Permit requirements AND applicable to Associate’s Degree

• MILESTONE 3: STIPEND: $400

            Associate’s Degree in Child Development/Early Childhood Education or a related field

• MILESTONE 4: STIPEND: $500

            Transfer Ready in Child Development/Early Childhood Education or a related field

• MILESTONE 5:STIPEND $600

            Bachelor’s Degree in CD/ECE or a related field

The Training Track

• If you are not completing unit-bearing coursework this year, you are on the Training Track!
• Open to new and returning participants.
• Approximate stipend amount = $200 for 10-21 hours of PD / $400 for 21+ hour of PD
• Training Track participants cannot also receive a College Coursework Track stipend 

Must select Trainings from these sources:

• San Mateo County Office of Education – Early Learning Support Services (trainings for Early Educators webpage)
  
• California Early Childhood Online (CECO) (link to website)
• San Mateo County 4Cs  (link to website) 
• ECE Workforce Registry Training Calendar (link to website)    

Other Requirements/ Deadlines

• Meet with Stipend Program Advisor or Professional Growth Advisor to complete or update Professional Growth Plan with activities for current program year.
• Training must be completed between July 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021
• By June 5, 2021: Submit copy of “Education and Training Report” from the Workforce Registry

                                         Either email to: ELCstipend@smcoe.org

                                    or

                                         Mail to: San Mateo County Office of Education
                                         ATTN: Ian Johnson
                                         101 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City
                                         CA, 94065 

* NOTE: Family/Friend/Neighbor Providers who are paid through a 4Cs voucher and are working on completing Health and Safety Trainings, do not need a Professional Growth Plan. The Health and Safety Trainings as determined by CDE can be found here.

Stipend amounts listed on this website are approximate. Final stipend amounts are based on available funding and number of participants.

• Stipends must be declared as income and are subject to income tax regulations. 

                       Any participant who receives total payments of more than $600 during the year will receive a Tax Form 1099

                       for 2020 taxes mailed to participant’s home address by January 31, 2021.

• Stipend payments are mailed in late July 2021 to participant’s home address as entered on the W-9 Form.

                       “High Impact” PD stipends will be paid in December 2020 and July 2021

       Other questions? Email ELCstipend@smcoe.org