INCENTIVE$ awards annual stipends to early learning and family child care educators, directors, and owners in participating counties for their higher education achievements and commitment to their programs. INCENTIVE$ works alongside other local quality initiatives to help increase the education, compensation, and stability of our state’s early learning workforce.
The INCENTIVE$ Scale award levels range from $450 to $5,000 for full-time employees. These awards are based upon the participant’s education level and reflect the schedule worked during a six-month commitment period (i.e., staff working part-time in the classroom receive prorated awards). Click here to view the INCENTIVE$ Scale.
Eligible early learning educators must create and use a Children’s Forum personal portal account to access the INCENTIVE$ online application. Applications must include:
- Proof of employment
- Formal education documents (ex. unofficial transcripts)
- Paystub or proof of your hourly wage
- Family child care educators must complete a Monthly Income Worksheet
Applicants must create portal account using their personal email address. Please follow steps below:
- Visit https://login.thechildrensforum.com/ and click on the Create Account button
- Enter details as requested on each page (Name, DOB, Demographics, Address, etc.)
- Check your personal email account for a message from registryportal@thechildrensforum.com
- NOTE: Please allow up to 15 minutes to receive this email and check your SPAM folder
- Open the email and click the link. You may also copy/paste this link into your browser
- This link will take you to set your Portal Account password
- Enter your password into both boxes, then click the Reset Password button
- Login with your new password to see your Portal Account Dashboard!
INCENTIVE$ stipends are typically received 45 – 60 days after the participant’s employment is confirmed with their program director. Stipend payments are loaded on Akimbo Prepaid Mastercards that participants can easily access.
If a participant did not work for an extended period during their required six-month commitment period, they must make up missed time before they will be eligible to receive an INCENTIVE$ award. This includes summer breaks, vacations, or parental/medical leave.
*Please Note: All INCENTIVE$ stipend payments are contingent upon funding availability at the time of employment confirmation.
Participants can increase their level on the INCENTIVE$ Scale with formal education. The TEACH Early Childhood® Scholarship Program can help participants attain additional education with little out-of-pocket costs. TEACH offers a variety of scholarship opportunities that include early learning credentials, college credit and certificates, and degrees in early childhood education or related fields.
INCENTIVE$ would not be possible without our funders.
Thank you for supporting your local early learning community!
