Welcome, State Preschool (CSPP) & Center-Based Childcare (CCTR) Early Educators and Administrators!
The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) Quality Matters Stipend Program (QMSP) application period for Year 2 (2024-2025) is now closed.
Please read the eligibility requirements, stipend pathways, and program timeline to ensure timely submission of pathway requirements to receive a stipend.
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For a full list of approved training opportunities that count toward the 21 Professional Development (PD) hours, click here.
Program Timeline
To earn a stipend for either Coursework Pathway (Option 1) or Training Pathway (Option 2), participants must successfully:
- Submit an online Quality Matters Stipend Program application at www.careregistry.org between August 1 - September 19, 2024.
- Complete either Coursework Pathway (Option 1) or Training Pathway (Option 2) by May 23, 2025, and:
- Submit a Professional Development Plan by October 20, 2024.
- Complete one Professional Growth Advising session with the Stipend program staff by March 28, 2025.
- Attend one Program Orientation by October 20, 2024.
- Must be employed by a CSPP/CCTR site through the employment verification deadline of February 28, 2025.
- Submit a current W9, dated and signed only after June 30, 2024.
- Stipend checks will be sent to the address provided on the W-9 Form.
The Quality Matters Stipend Program for State Preschool (CSPP) & Center-Based Childcare (CCTR) Early Educators and Administrators uses the ECE Workforce Registry as the application and tracking system.
For Quality Matters Stipend Program (QMSP) announcements, deadlines, office hours, and other resources, please visit our newly launched
Padlet.
Important Notes
- Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) may raise or lower stipend amounts based on the availability of funds and the number of eligible applicants. Awardees will be notified via mail during the Stipend Distribution Period (July 1 – August 31, 2025).
- Applicants can only apply to one Option per fiscal year (July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025) and may request to change their Option no later than March 31, 2025, by 5 p.m. Determination is based on the availability of funds. Contact us for more information.
- Stipends are considered taxable income. A 1099 form with the stipend amount will be mailed starting February 2026 to any participant who received a stipend of $600 or more.
- Most of the Quality Matters Stipends Program requirements are completed online. Access to a computer or tablet and internet access is REQUIRED.
- Applicants may appeal SCCOE’s decision between August 1, 2025 through August 15, 2025.
For more information: (669) 212-5400 | LPCInfo@sccoe.org
This program is funded by the Santa Clara County Office of Education with support from Quality Counts California and the California Department of Social Services.
Are you an Early Childhood Educator working at a Family Child Care Home (FCCH), Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN), or Family Resource Center (FRC)? You may be eligible for FIRST 5 Santa Clara County: QUALITY MATTERS Stipend Program for Family Child Care Homes, Family, Friend and Neighbor Providers, and Family Resource Center Staff. Learn more at https://www.qualitymattersscc.org/. 
