Child Care WAGE$^® FLORIDA Project

Miami-Dade County Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Child Care WAGE$^® Florida Project?

The Child Care WAGE$^® Florida Project is designed to increase stability and improve child care quality by reducing turnover and encouraging continued education of child care practitioners. This program provides education based salary supplements for low to moderate wage earners who work with young children ages birth to five.

Where does the funding come from?

The Child Care WAGE$^® Florida Project in Miami-Dade County is funded by the The Children's Trust and the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe. The Children's Forum is the licensee for Child Care WAGE$^® in Florida and currently administers this program in 4 participating counties in partnership with local funders.

Who is eligible to participate in the program?

Child care practitioners working at a Quality Counts (Quality Rating Improvement System - QRIS) site not operated by Head Start or the public schools working directly with children for at least 10 hours per week earning less than $17.50 per hour may be eligible for a salary supplement if they have some formal child care training and/or education beyond a high school diploma.

How much can I receive through Child Care WAGE$^®?

The value of each salary supplement is determined by the level of education and the position held by the child care practitioner. For example, a teacher or family child care provider is eligible for a $450 annual supplement for possessing a national Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and can earn $1,500 per year with an AS or AAS in Early Childhood Education. The amount of supplement increases as the level of education increases. Wage supplements for part-time practitioners are prorated based on a 40 hour work week.

How do I sign up to participate in the program?

Interested child care practitioners must complete the Child Care WAGE$^® Florida Project application and provide verification of: (1) current employment in an eligible Quality Counts early learning program. (2) current salary, and (3) educational credential and/or unofficial transcripts.

When will I receive a check?

Each participant who meets the requirements for the Child Care WAGE$^® Florida Project and remains eligible will receive a supplement check in the seventh month, after the completion of a six-month commitment period. The commitment period means that the practitioner has remained continuously employed in their Quality Counts early learning center or family child care home. The commitment period is established for each individual practitioner based on the application date, date of employment and documentation of education. The amount of the salary supplement is based on one half of the annual award amount and reflects the schedule worked during the six-month period (part-time prorated or full time). All payments are contingent upon funding availability.

How can I increase the amount of money I receive through Child Care WAGE$^®?

Child care practitioners participating in the Child Care WAGE$^® Florida Project may increase their supplement award amounts by successfully completing additional education. The Quality Counts Career Center and the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood^® Scholarship Program offers scholarships to child care practitioners to earn credentials or degrees in early childhood education.

How can I find out more information about this program?

Contact the Quality Counts office at (305)646-7242 or the Child Care WAGE$^® Florida Project at the Children's Forum at wages@thechildrensforum.com or call toll-free (888)352-4453 or visit www.thechildrensforum.com

English

• WAGE$ Announcement for Miami-Dade County
• List of Frequently Asked Questions for Miami-Dade County
• The Supplemental Scale for Miami-Dade County
• Child Care WAGE$ Checklist
• Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) Agreement Form & Information Page

En Español

• Anuncio WAGE$ Miami-Dade
• Preguntas Frecuentes
• Escala de suplemento
• Lista Cotejo WAGE$
• Acuerdo QRIS Participacion & Informacion QRIS

You can now download the Child Care WAGE$^® Florida Application to print and send in. Answer EVERY QUESTION on the application. Additional documentation must accompany a completed application (see list on page 3). If you have any more quesions, the Informational Brochure is available for download. If you are a family child care home provider you will also need to fill out the FCCH income worksheet.

The Child Care WAGE$^® Florida 2006-07 Annual Report is now available for download.

To learn more about the WAGE$ Project contact Qiana Carter at: 888-352-4453 or email Qiana at qcarter@thechildrensforum.com.