Step Up To Wage$ RI

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Want to learn about Step Up To Wage$ RI?

We are so excited that the response to the Step Up to WAGE$ Pilot has been so positive. At this time, we have closed the application because we expect that we have received applications beyond what we will be able to award with the current funding. If you are interested in the Step Up to WAGE$ pilot, we would be happy to add your name to our outreach list for notification about any future award opportunities. Email your contact information to: wages@riaeyc.org

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What is Step Up to WAGE$ RI?

Step Up to WAGE$ RI provides education-based salary supplements to center-based educators, directors, and family childcare providers working with children in an early childhood setting. The program is designed to increase retention, education, and compensation.

How is Step Up to WAGE$ different than the Pandemic Retention Bonus?

The Pandemic Retention Bonuses that early childhood educators have been receiving ($3000 for each person) is a set amount for everyone and is funded differently and has different requirements than the Step Up to WAGE$ program. Step Up to WAGE$ is designed to award supplements based on educator qualifications and to keep qualified and educated teachers and providers employed and working with young children to increase the quality of the program. The more educated you are, the higher the wage supplement.

How Much Will I Receive?

The awards vary based on the education earned by the participant and the eligible hours worked. Funding for this pilot is LIMITED and only able to fund a limited number of educators. At this time, funding is available through the end of December 2023.

What Do I Have to do to Participate in Step Up to WAGE$?

Interested childcare professionals must complete an application and provide verification of (1) current employment in a licensed childcare program, (2) current wages, and (3) education earned, as verified by an official transcript. View the program application and checklist of documentation needed below

Applications Closed

We are so excited that the response to the Step Up to WAGE$ Pilot has been so positive. At this time, we have closed the application because we expect that we have received applications beyond what we will be able to award with the current funding. If you are interested in the Step Up to WAGE$ pilot, we would be happy to add your name to our outreach list for notification about any future award opportunities. Email your contact information to: wages@riaeyc.org

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Frequently Asked Questions

Step Up to WAGE$ provides education-based salary supplements to center-based educators, directors and family child care providers working with children in an early childhood setting. The program is designed to increase retention, education and compensation. Step Up to WAGE$ RI is a demonstration program of the Child Care Services Association (CCSA) in North Carolina and is based on the Child Care WAGE$® Program. The program is being piloted in Rhode Island and is funded with Preschool Development Grant dollars made available by the state of Rhode Island. This funding is available for a limited time and based on the parameters of the federal grant.

The Pandemic Retention Bonuses that early childhood educators have been receiving ($3000 for each person) is a set amount for everyone and is funded differently and has different requirements than the Step Up to WAGE$ program. Step Up to WAGE$ is designed to award supplements based on educator qualifications and to keep qualified and educated teachers and providers employed and working with young children to increase the quality of the program. The more educated you are, the higher the wage supplement.

A child care professional earning at or below $23 per hour who is working with children in an early childhood setting, at least 10 hours per week, and in a licensed child care setting may be eligible to participate. The supplement recipient must also have a level of education appearing on the Step Up to WAGE$ supplement scale (see reverse for eligible education levels).

The awards vary based on the education earned by the participant and the eligible hours worked. The salary supplement scale shows annual award amounts for full-time eligibility. Awards are issued in two six-month installments per year, each after the participant completes an assigned six-month commitment period in the same child care program. The amount received will reflect the average hours worked during the six-month period; supplements for part-time employees are prorated.

The program is being piloted in Rhode Island and is funded with Preschool Development Grant dollars made available by the state of Rhode Island. Awards are based on limited time and funding.

Interested child care professionals must complete an application and provide verification of (1) current employment in a licensed  child care program, (2) current wages and (3) education earned, as verified by an official transcript. See the program application for a  checklist of documentation needed.

Payments are issued following commitment period completion to eligible participants who have met the requirements. Commitment periods run from mid-month to mid-month and are established for each individual participant using application date, start date and education documentation. The installment is based on half of the annual award amount and reflects the average hours worked during the six-month period. All payments are contingent upon funding availability. Program staff must verify that participants have worked in their child care programs during the preceding six months before payments can be issued. Once approved for an award, participants who remain in the same child care program do not need to reapply in order to receive future installments.
Step Up to WAGE$ participants may increase their supplement amounts by gaining more education. T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Rhode Island offers scholarships to child care professionals who want to earn course credits toward specific early childhood credentials or degrees. Contact T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Rhode Island at 401-739-6100 for more information. Participants are encouraged to send Step Up to WAGE$ RI an updated official transcript after the completion of any formal coursework so staff can determine the highest possible award.
The salary supplement is income. Participants will receive an IRS-1099 form at the end of the year if they received $600 or more from The Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC) during the calendar year. Recipients are responsible for reporting and paying any personal income taxes due.
Payments are issued to participants after each six-month period in the same child care program. If a participant moves to another licensed child care program within the six months, then the commitment period must be reset based on eligible reapplication and the employment date at the new site. This policy is designed to encourage more stability for the children in care.
A child care center must agree to provide verification of an applicant’s employment status and wages and agree not to use participation in the program to offset normal wage increases. The center is not responsible for providing the salary supplement should funding no longer be available.
Hard-copy transcripts and other academic records are considered “official” when they arrive in a sealed, stamped, official envelope with the seal and any other security feature intact. Electronic transcripts are considered “official” when we receive them from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution or testing service.

Early Childhood Education (ECE) credits are defined as college coursework focused on children ages birth to five.  Step Up to Wage$ Rhode Island is assessing coursework that is identified as birth to five in the course description.

 Applicants must have at least 3 college credits in ECE in order to qualify.

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