If you meet the following criteria, you may be eligible for an INCENTIVE$ Florida stipend through the support of your local Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast:

• Work in an Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast contracted School Readiness site (director or any teacher) or VPK site (director or VPK teacher only)
• Earn less than $25.00 per hour as an early childhood educator in a licensed or license-exempt child care program (center or family child care home) in Okaloosa and Walton counties. This includes Directors, Teachers, Assistant Teachers, Floaters or Family Child Care Home providers. Substitutes are not eligible.
• Work in your program at least 20 hours per week with children birth to 5 years of age
• Be employed at least six months at this same child care program at the time of employment confirmation
• Meet the minimum education of an active early childhood credential (FCCPC or NCDA) or 12 credit hours in early childhood education/child development. You can view all qualifying education and levels on the INCENTIVE$ Scale.

Important Notes

• All INCENTIVE$ stipend payments are contingent upon funding availability. Please direct any funding related questions to your local Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast at 850-833-3627.
• All education, college coursework, and credentials submitted will be reviewed to determine eligibility.
• Participants at INCENTIVE$ Scale Levels 1-4 are temporary and have a continuing education requirement. Center-based educators must complete and submit new education every two years; family child care home providers every three years. Participants can use the TEACH Early Childhood® Scholarship Program to help meet this requirement and/or further their education to reach higher award levels.