To be eligible for enrollment in the Stipend Program, you must:

• Work at a Santa Clara County Quality Matters site, Family Resource Center or Quality Counts San Benito site.
• Work directly with children and hold a position traditionally referred to as assistant/aide, associate teacher, teacher, master/lead teacher, site supervisor, assistant director, program director, family child care owner, family child care staff, or family resource center staff.
• Have a Social Security number.
• Have access to a valid email account.

Participants must choose and complete one of the two options below:

• College Coursework Option = $600 stipend
• Training Option= $400 stipend

If you are staff at a Family Resource Center, you are eligible to apply for the Training Option only.

WestEd E3 Institute may raise or lower stipend amounts based on available funds and the number of eligible applicants. Stipends must be declared as income subject to income tax. A 1099 form with the stipend amount will be mailed during the first week of February 2024 to any participant who received a stipend of $600 or more.

Complete a minimum of 3 semester units (4 quarter units) of college coursework, earning a grade of “C” or better, during the program year July 2022 – June 2023.

• Units must count toward a college degree or the obtainment/upgrade of a California Child Development Permit or California Teaching Credential.
• General Education and ESL/Basic Skills courses are accepted.
• Courses must be taken through a nationally accredited college or university to be eligible for a stipend.

Complete a minimum of 21 hours of approved professional development during the program year (July 1, 2022 – June 1, 2023).

For center-based programs and Family Resource Centers, complete 21 hours from the list below:

• Eligible Trainings for Early Childhood Educators – coordinated by WestEd E3 Institute

For family child care programs, complete 21 hours from one of the options below:

• Eligible Trainings for Early Childhood Educators – coordinated by WestEd E3 Institute
• SEEDS – recruitment is conducted by FIRST 5 Santa Clara County
• myTeachstone – recruitment is conducted by FIRST 5 Santa Clara County

If you do not see a training listed and wish to have a training approved, please complete this form.

The California ECE Workforce Registry is a state, regional and local collaboration designed to track and promote the education, training and experience of the early care and education workforce for the purpose of improving professionalism and workforce quality to positively impact children.

Participants in the Quality Matters Stipend Program will receive support to create an account.