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FIRST Program: Incentive for Early Childhood Professionals

The FIRST program provides financial support and incentives to eligible early childhood professionals to obtain their first ECE credential or degree. Administered by Care Solutions, Inc. on behalf of Bright from the Start, this program aims to raise standards for teachers in Georgia.

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FIRST Program: Incentive for Early Childhood Professionals

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  1. NEW PROGRAM LAUNCHEDFirst-time Incentive toRaise Standards for Teachers • In October 2009 Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning launched a new program to provide financial support to eligible early childhood professionals • The First-time Incentive to Raise Standards for Teachers (FIRST) program provides an incentive to those working in early care and education (ECE) with no credential or degree to obtain their first ECE credential or degree by July 1, 2011

  2. PROGRAM FUNDING(American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) • Bright from the Start, the state agency that administers the nationally recognized Georgia’s Pre-K Program, licenses child care facilities and home-based child care, administers federal nutrition programs and manages voluntary quality enhancement programs, has allocated funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to support the FIRST program • Up to 3,400 ECE professionals meeting eligibility requirements and earning their first ECE credential or degree between September 1, 2009 and July 1, 2011 will be awarded $1,200.00

  3. Program AdministratorCare Solutions, Inc. • The mission of Bright from the Start is to deliver exemplary early care and education programs that improve the quality of early learning experiences, increase school readiness and improve overall school performance • Care Solutions, Inc. is a management consulting firm that has served the ECE field for twenty years • On behalf of Bright from the Start, Care Solutions administers the new FIRST Program along with SCHOLARSHIPS & INCENTIVES. Care Solutions also developed and manages the database system for these programs • Through its administration of these programs, Care Solutions supports the Bright from the Start mission to increase access to quality early care and learning programs and helps these programs achieve measurable, research-based standards

  4. Who is Eligible?(Work Setting Requirement) • To receive the $1200.00 FIRST program incentive, you must work for: • A child care facility licensed by Bright from the Start or the Department of Defense, or • A registered family day care home provider, or • A private or public Georgia Pre-K Program

  5. Who is Eligible?(Job Position Requirement) • You must have been working in ECE at least three months: • As a teacher or assistant teacher at least 25 hours per week, or • As a teacher or assistant teacher in a school-age care program at least 20 hours per week, or • As a director or assistant director in ECE or a school-age care program at least 40 hours per week, or • As a registered family day care home provider at least 40 hours per week

  6. Who Is Eligible?(Credential/Degree Requirement) • You must receive yourfirstECEcredential or degree. Qualifying credentials are: • The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition • Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC), or • Technical College Diploma (TCD), or • Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education (containing a minimum of 39 quarter hours or 30 semester hours in ECE courses)

  7. Who Is Eligible?(If you want to earn a CDA) • The first step in earning a CDA from the Council for Professional Recognition is to complete a 120 clock-hour CDA training. This training must: • be approved through the Georgia Early Care and Education Professional Development System (See www.training.decal.ga.gov , click the “Find Training” tab, “General Search”, “Basic Search” and enter “CDA” in the title box) or • be academic credit hours earned through a Georgia college or university that has an early childhood care and education department

  8. Who is Eligible?(If you want to earn a TCC, TCD or AA) • You must attend a Georgia technical college or a Georgia HOPE-eligible (www.gacollege411.org), SACS-accredited (www.sacscoc.org) institution with an early childhood education department • In the case of an associate degree, the qualifying college or university’s ECE curriculum must contain a minimum of 39 quarter hours or 30 semester hours in ECE courses

  9. Pre-Application(Step 1) • After you have chosen your program of study, complete the FIRST Pre-Application (available for download at www.caresolutions.com or by calling 770-642-6722 or 800-227-3410) • The Pre-Application allows Bright from the Start to pre-qualify and track participants. You will receive a letter indicating that your Pre-Application has been reviewed and if you are on track to receive the $1,200.00 incentive

  10. Pre-Application(Step 1 - continued) • If you need help in identifying educational opportunities that meet FIRST program requirements, call the program administrator, Care Solutions, at 770-642-6722 or 800-227-3410. Their staff offers free educational counseling

  11. Pre-Application(Step 2) • If you are approved in the Pre-Application process, you will receive an approval letter that contains the Final Application and directions on how to complete the process • After completing your program of study and earning your credential or degree, you submit the Final Application including the required documentation for payment of the $1200.00 FIRST incentive

  12. FINAL APPLICATION(Required Documentation) The following documentation must be submitted with the Final Application after you earn your credential or degree: • Copies of two recent pay stubs reflecting your name and the name of your employer or a copy of last year’s IRS Schedule C if you are a family day care provider or owner who does not pay yourself W-2 wages • A copy of your CDA credential, if you earned a CDA credential from the Council for Professional Recognition and a copy of your certificate documenting 120-clock hours of approved training or A copy of your official transcript reflecting the award date you earned a Technical Certificate of Credit, a Technical College Diploma or Associate Degree The award date for all credentials and degrees must fall between September 1, 2009 and July 1, 2011

  13. FUNDING SOURCES(CDA Credential) • Although no state or federal aid covers the tuition cost of the 120-clock hour CDA training, grants may be available through the agency offering the training. Tuition costs vary so be sure to ask for a complete list of charges, and ask if the agency offers any scholarships • The Council for Professional Recognition charges $325.00 to complete the Direct Assessment process. Bright from the Start SCHOLARSHIPS covers this fee for eligible applicants (See www.caresolutions.com)

  14. Funding Sources(Technical Certificate of Credit) • The Georgia HOPE Grant pays 100% of the tuition and most fees if you are a Georgia resident. Go to www.gacollege411.org and click on the “Financial Aid Planning” tab and then “HOPE Grant” to access program information and to apply • Bright from the Start SCHOLARSHIPS provides a $75.00 per quarter enrollment allowance and reimburses 80% of any mandatory fees not covered by the HOPE grant to qualifying individuals (See www.caresolutions.com)

  15. Funding Sources(Technical College Diploma and Associate Degree) • The Georgia HOPE Grant pays 100% of the tuition and most fees if you are a Georgia resident. Go to www.gacollege411.org and click on the “Financial Aid Planning” tab and then “HOPE Grant” to access program information and to apply • You may be eligible for the federal Pell Grant if your Cost of Attendance exceeds your Expected Family Contribution. Any amount awarded is paid to you in addition to the HOPE Grant award (See www.fafsa.ed.gov) • Bright from the Start SCHOLARSHIPS pays 80% of tuition or mandatory fees not covered by the HOPE or Pell Grants and provides a $75.00 per quarter or $100.00 per semester allowance to qualifying individuals (See www.caresolutions.com)

  16. More RewardsINCENTIVES Program After receiving your credential or degree, you may be eligible for the INCENTIVES program which pays two consecutive salary supplements based on the level of credential you earn: • CDA, TCC, TCD $375.00 • AA $750.00 • BA $1,000.00 • MA $1,250.00 The INCENTIVES program has additional tenure, wage and work setting requirements (See www.caresolutions.com )

  17. More Questions? This presentation provides a quick overview of the FIRST program. For more information: • Visit www.caresolutions.com. Under the Bright from the Start FIRST program information, go to “Frequently Asked Questions” • Call Care Solutions at 770-642-6722 or 800-227-3410

  18. “WE DID IT – SO CAN YOU” FIRST OF THE FIRST! – The first four recipients of the First-time Incentive to Raise Standards for Teachers (FIRST) Program received their checks from Bright from the Start Commissioner Holly A. Robinson (far left). Left to right: Brandy Wilson (Tunnel Hill); Dominica Bowen (Villa Rica); Celine Bordron (Snellville); and Michelle Bennett (Cumming).

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