New Applicant Guidelines

Transcription

1 New Applicant Guidelines Questions? Call or Website: Program Description The purpose of the ASPIRE Stipend Program is to encourage early childhood educators working in Los Angeles County to complete both training and college coursework to increase their capacity to offer a high quality learning experience for the young children in their care. Eligible participants who have successfully met the requirements will receive a stipend in the summer of The minimum award will be $1,000 per successful participant. For the link to the online application, visit The deadline for the online application to be completed and the required paper forms to be received is June 6th, Applicants will be enrolled according to the date that the completed application is received. Spaces are limited, so apply now! ***Acceptance to the ASPIRE Stipend Program is dependent on the continuing availability of funds. The ASPIRE Stipend Program is funded by First 5 LA and First 5 California. Applicant Eligibility To be eligible for the ASPIRE Stipend Program, you must meet all of the following criteria: Work for pay in a licensed Family Child Care Home, a licensed or license-exempt Child Care Facility, or public school-based site since October Work directly teaching or caring for children ages 0-5, who have not yet entered Kindergarten, for at least fifteen hours a week. Be ineligible for the Los Angeles County Investing in Early Educators Stipend Program (AB212) which provides stipends to those working in state funded programs. For more information on this program, visit Be planning to complete 3 semester units of coursework towards a Child Development permit or ECE degree between the dates of July 1, 2014 and June 30, See Coursework Guidelines on the next page for more details. Earn less than $60,000 annually in child care/early childhood education salary as an individual. Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application. Possess basic computer knowledge including how to use an account and the Internet. A personal account is required of all applicants.

2 Participant Requirements If you are accepted to the program, you must meet these requirements during the program year (July 1, 2014 June 30, 2015) in order to receive a stipend award: 1) Employment: Be continuously employed directly teaching or caring for children age 0-5 2) Advisement: Meet with an ASPIRE Advisor twice during the program year. 3) Verification Forms: Submit Verification Forms and requested documents in June of ) Training and/or Coursework: Applicants can select one of 2 Program Tracks. You must work with at least one child in the age group of the Track that you select. Preschool Track: (For those who work with at least one child aged 36 months to 5 years old.) Introduction to the Pre-K CLASS on-line training (2 hours) Pre-K Looking At CLASSrooms on-line training (20 hours) Second Hand Smoke on-line training (45 minutes) 3 semester (4.5 quarter) units of eligible coursework (or 54 hours of ESL or GED classes) Infant/Toddler Track: (For those who work with at least one child, birth to 35 months.) Introduction to the Toddler CLASS on-line training (2 hours) Toddler Looking At CLASSrooms on-line training (20 hours) Second Hand Smoke on-line training (45 minutes) 3 semester (4.5 quarter) units of eligible coursework (or 54 hours of ESL or GED classes) 2 ** * If you have completed the online CLASS trainings or Second Hand Smoke training in the past 24 months, contact ASPIRE for alternate requirements at *** 5) Participation in the ASPIRE Program Evaluation: The ASPIRE program will be evaluated by First 5 California and LAUP using participant surveys and the CLASS Observation Study. All participants are required to complete the end of year survey(s) in order to receive stipend. In addition, First 5 California plans to measure the impact of the program on the teacher-child interactions of its participants using the CLASS Observation tool. A subset of ASPIRE participants (about 15%) will be randomly selected to complete two observations which will be scored using the CLASS Observation tool. Observations will either be completed in-person, by First 5 California observers, or using self-taped video recordings. All materials to complete the recording, including the video-camera and instructions will be mailed to those selected. ASPIRE applicants must agree to participate in this assessment and to seek

3 authorization from the director/owner of their work site. If the director/owner of a participant s site objects to such videotaping, the applicant must submit their written objection in order to receive an exemption. CLASS scores will only be shared with the ASPIRE participant and First 5 California as part of the overall statewide evaluation. A bonus of at least $200 will be provided to those participants who are selected for the CLASS assessments and successfully complete all other program requirements. Coursework Guidelines Coursework must fall into one of the following categories: o Permit Coursework: Child Development or General Education courses towards a CD Permit o Degree Coursework: Courses towards the completion of an AA/AS, BA/BS, or MA/MS degree in Child Development or a very closely related major. Acceptable majors include: Child Development, Human Development, Early Childhood Education (ECE), Early Special Education, Child Psychology, Liberal Studies/Liberal Arts, Child and Family Studies. If you are unsure if your current major will qualify, please call before applying. o GE Coursework: General Education courses required to earn a degree or transfer to a 4- year college or university. o ESL: English-as-a Second-Language (ESL) courses that bear units or that are offered through an adult education program (54 hours is the equivalent of 3 semester units) o GED: Courses for the purpose of passing the GED exam that are offered through an adult education program (54 hours is the equivalent of 3 semester units) o Remedial or Skill building Coursework: Remedial Math and English, or other unit-based courses that build skills needed to complete degree/permit requirements o Teaching Credential Coursework: Courses towards a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or Early Childhood Special Education Credential o Professional Growth Coursework: Those early educators who have completed a BA/BS and the requirements for a Site Supervisor permit or higher may take Child Development/ECE unit-bearing coursework for the purposes of professional growth. PLEASE NOTE: o Course end dates must fall between July 1, 2014 and June 30, Academic terms are generally Summer 2014, Fall 2014, Winter Intersession 2015, and Spring o Courses must be completed with a C- or better. (With the exception of non-unit bearing ESL or GED coursework.) o Schools must be accredited by the WASC ACS (Western Association of Senior Colleges and Universities), the ACCJC-WASC (Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges) or one of their five other regional associations. (Unless ESL or GED courses taken at an adult education program) 3

4 Stipend Amounts Participants are expected to receive a minimum award of $1,000. The exact stipend amount will be determined based on the final number of participants who successfully complete all program requirements. Bonuses may also be available, if funding levels permit, for participants who achieve milestones during the program year (see the table below). Bonus amounts will be determined at the end of the program year. Those who achieve both a permit and degree milestone will only be awarded the degree bonus (the higher of the two). Milestone Bonuses First time or upgraded Child Development Permit Earn AA/AS degree in Child Development/ECE field Documentation required Print out of new or upgraded permit, or First page of CTC application and certified mail receipt Diploma or transcript/grade report indicating major and degree date Earn BA/BS or MA/MS degree in Child Development/ECE field Diploma or transcript/grade report indicating major and degree date Application Review Process 1. To start the application process, visit and click on the Application link. (You must have a printer connected to your computer to complete the application.) 2. At the end of the online application questions, you will be asked to click a button to submit your answers and to print the remaining required forms. Your online application will not be considered complete until we receive the required paper forms and educational documents. 3. The remaining forms and documents must be received in our offices by June 6th, (Faxes and Walk-ins are not permitted.) 4. When your forms are received and verified as complete, you will be ed a confirmation. If it is incomplete, you will receive a postcard. If you do not receive notification by September 1 st, 2014 it is your responsibility to contact LAUP at , or workforcedevelopment@laup.net. 5. You must inform ASPIRE if you change your , address, or phone number at any time during the program year. Future communication depends on the program having your correct contact information. 4

5 6. Once the forms have been received and are complete, LAUP staff will review your forms and on-line application to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. You will be notified by U.S. mail of your eligibility status no later than October 1 st, Acceptance letters will include detailed instructions on how to complete the program s requirements. You will also be provided with the name and contact information of the ASPIRE Advisor assigned to you. You will be responsible for contacting your Advisor and keeping appointments. Important: If accepted, you will be required to complete a minimum of 3 semester units/4.5 quarter units. We highly recommend that you make plans to take at least one course in the Fall of Registration dates are generally in August. Many participants have found it difficult to complete the 3 units when they have waited until the Spring to do so. 5