Workforce Application

Workforce Instructions

FUNDING IS DEPENDENT ON THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS

Read all instructions carefully before and while completing the application and provide all information and documents requested.

Overview

TCCAC Workforce Pathways is a comprehensive workforce development model that promotes quality improvement in tribal early child hood settings. The TCCAC Workforce Pathways Stipend Program provides financial incentives (stipends) to early educators for achieving professional milestones such as attending professional development, completing college courses, obtaining their Child Development Permit, or achieving a college degree. Stipends are available for California Tribal early learning educators who work in center-based care or family child care homes with Native American children ages 0-5 years.

The instructions serve as your guide for completing your application to the Stipend Program. It is important that you read the instructions carefully and provide all the information and documents as requested. Note that each program period is separate; therefore, you must submit all supporting documents requested for this program period. Applications that have missing information and/or missing documents will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified. The instructions also provide you with information on the process leading up to awarding stipends, including the appeal process and a detailed timeline.

Applying to the Stipend Program is a two-part process-

Application: Determines that you meet the employment eligibility criteria.

Verification: Verifies that you meet the employment criteria and complete an annual professional development plan with your Workforce Advisor.

STEP 1: Determining Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for a stipend, you must:

1. Work with Native American Children between the ages of 0-5 years: Work in tribally operated child development center or work in a licensed center, family child care, or be a relative care provider in which there are tribal children; AND
2. Work Directly with Children: Work directly teaching children as a teacher, teacher/director (those with dual roles), teacher aide/assistant, or substitute in the classroom on a consistent and continual basis; AND
3. On-Going Employment: Maintain employment at an eligible tribal child development center, or home located in California from July 1, 2024, through June 15, 2025.

STEP 2: Setting a Professional Growth Goal

1. A professional growth plan is a document created together with your Workforce Advisor. This document is reviewed often and updated as needed to guide your future professional growth. As a participant in TCCAC’s Workforce Pathways, applicants will be asked to select at least one professional growth goal to achieve during the program period 2024-25. Some examples of professional growth goals for TCCAC Workforce Pathways that participants can choose include:

• Completing hours of professional development
• Participating in a Workforce Pathway by completing trainings
• Obtaining CPR & First Aid Certification
• Completing (unit bearing) college courses related to ECE
• Completing mandatory (unit bearing) college courses towards a degree in ECE
• Obtaining an initial Child Development Permit
• Achieving an associate or bachelor’s degree

2. As part of the TCCAC Workforce Pathways Program, all applicants must complete a professional growth plan with their Workforce Advisor prior to June 30, 2025.

STEP 3: Meeting the Stipend Requirements

Each applicant can select at least one professional growth pathway to focus on during the current program year 2024-25 or participate in the higher education pathway. To earn a stipend, choose the appropriate professional growth pathway below and follow the criteria.

Professional Development Pathways

TCCAC has created custom pathways to support professional development for Tribal Child Care providers. Each of the six professional development pathways have options for which training the participant would like to complete based on their individualized professional development plan. 24/25 Pathways: Health & Safety Pathway, Wellness & Healing Pathway, Leadership Pathway, Engaging Families in Tribal Communities Pathway, Cultural Humility Pathway, and Child Development Pathway. In addition, TCCAC will provide stipends for up to 20 hours of other approved professional development training and certifications.

Higher Education Pathway

If the applicant selected pathway is higher education, then applicants must:

1. Complete at least three semester units of eligible coursework at a community college, college, or university; AND
2. Complete the class(es) after July 1, 2024, and before June 15, 2025; AND
3. Pass the class(es) with a grade of “C” or better; AND
4. Upload transcript(s) or grade reports by June 30, 2025.
5. Stackable Bonuses: Complete Permit, Associates, Bachelor’s, or Masters in ECE related Degree Program
6. Additional Higher Education stipends are also available for course textbooks, supplies, and materials reimbursement (up to $500).
7. All coursework must be unit-bearing and fulfill the requirements for a degree in child development, this includes extension and continuing education courses. If you have any questions regarding coursework eligible for the Stipend Program, you are encouraged to contact TCCAC Workforce Advisor by telephone at (530) 515-7206 or by email at workforce@tribalchildcareca.org.
8. Eligible coursework is limited to the following six categories:
   • If you are not proficient in English, you may take English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) classes at a community college for stipend credit if directed to do so by your college. This option is intended for applicants needing to improve their English language skills to enroll in college classes toward earning a degree in child development.
   • If you do not have a child development permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), you should take the required child development classes, or the required general education courses. If you already have a permit, you may take classes needed to upgrade or renew your permit.
   • If you do not have an Associate Degree (AA/AS), you should take child development, English, Math, or general education classes; or prerequisites to classes that are transferable for a degree in child development at a four-year college. Check with an advisor at your college or university before enrolling in a class if you are not sure it is a prerequisite or transferable class.
   • If you are taking classes at a community college with the goal of transferring to a California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) school, your educational program should indicate the AA-T or AS-T degree, whichever the school offers. This degree will ensure that the classes you take are transferable and will give you preferred enrollment at some colleges. You should check with an academic advisor at your college to make sure you are enrolled in the correct program and that your classes fit the requirements for your degree. Acceptable degrees for the Workforce Pathways Stipend Program include Early Childhood Education, Early Special Education, Child Psychology, Child Development, and Human Development.
   • If you are taking classes at a four-year university with the goal of obtaining a bachelor (BA/BS) degree, classes should be in General Education towards your degree or support a degree in child development or a related field.
   • If you have a BA/BS or higher, you should take college or university classes that are related to your work with children and families in a child development program. Sample topics include special needs children, diversity, dual language learners, parent relations, adult supervision, program evaluation, and advanced child development. Unit bearing extension or continuing education courses can be counted as eligible only for individuals who already hold a BA/BS or higher.

For applicants pursuing CA Child Development Permit:

1. If the applicant’s goal is to obtain an initial Child Development Permit, then it MUST be Issued between July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.
2. For information on how to obtain a Child Development Permit, visit the “California Commission on Teacher Credentialing” (CTC), click on “Credential Information,” then click on “Apply for a New Document,” and follow the instructions for obtaining your permit.
3. As an alternative, contact the child development department at your community college. Community colleges can often process permit applications more quickly than the CTC. In addition, the “Child Development Training Consortium” offers support to eligible persons applying for, renewing, or upgrading their permits.
4. A stipend will only be awarded for a participant’s first Child Development Permit.
5. Participants will need to submit a copy of their permit by June 30, 2025, to qualify for the Submit all documents to workforce@tribalchildcareca.org

 For applicants pursuing Associates/ Bachelor’s/ Master’s Degree Attainment

1. If the applicant’s pathway is to achieve a degree, participants must complete the degree after July 1, 2024, and before June 30, 2025.
2. Associate and bachelor’s degrees will be accepted for the stipend only if the degree has been completed and the applicant has a copy of their transcript showing degree has been conferred.
3. Participants will need to submit a copy of their transcript with degree conferral date by June 30, 2025, to qualify for the stipend.
4. Acceptable degrees for the TCCAC Workforce Pathways Stipend Program include Early Childhood Education, Early Special Education, Child Psychology, Child Development, and Human Development.

STEP 4: After You Submit Your Application

1. Upon receipt of your application, your Workforce Advisor will screen the application for completeness and ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria to participate. If we are unable to process your application, the advisor will send an email with instructions.
2. You will receive two emails sent to the email address on file once your application is complete and approved.
3. The first email will be from Hubbe/Do not Reply- This email verifies that your application was complete and has been accepted.
4. The second email will come from workforce@tribalchildcareca.org. This email will give you the next steps such as scheduling a Professional Growth Plan Meeting and where to submit your certification and documents.
5. If you do not receive an email notice from the Workforce Advisor within one week of submitting your application, contact workforce@tribalchildcareca.org or call (530) 515-7206. 

STEP 5: Submitting a Letter of Appeal

1. If you are disqualified or found to be ineligible for the Workforce Pathways Stipend Program, you may submit a letter of appeal. Appeals must be submitted by E-MAIL ONLY to Jennifer McGowan at jmcgowan@tribalchildcareca.org within 72 hours of receiving a disqualification email notice. An appeal is not the time to submit new information.
2. Your appeal should include the following information:

• The date your appeal letter is written.
• Your full name and Workforce Registry ID.
• Reference to the reason you were disqualified as indicated in the letter you received from the Workforce Advisor.
• A brief description of why you think the decision to disqualify your application is incorrect.

3. The TCCAC management team will review the appeal, including review of the original application. Decisions to grant or not grant the appeal, based on whether the applicant met the application requirements and deadlines, are made within two (2) weeks of receipt of the letter of appeal. The applicant will be notified of the decision by e-mail. All decisions are final