Welcome, State Preschool (CSPP) & Center-Based Childcare (CCTR) Early Educators and Administrators!
The application period for the 2023-24 Quality Matters Stipend Program (QMSP) has ended. Please read the eligibility requirements, stipend pathways, and program timeline to ensure timely submission of pathway requirements in order to receive a stipend.
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 need to:
- Be employed by a QRIS site through the employment verification deadline of June 30, 2024.
- Attend a Quality Matters Stipend Program (QMSP) Orientation offered by the SCCOE QMSP Team.
- Submit a Professional Development Plan (PDP) by January 12, 2024.
- Submit a completed and signed W-9 Form by February 1, 2024.
- Submit a completed and signed Employment Verification Form by March 1, 2024.
- Complete 1 Professional Development Growth Advising (PD) session with Stipend program staff by May 10, 2024.
- For the Coursework Pathway (Option 1), coursework transcripts (from July 1, 2023, to June 1, 2024) must be uploaded and verified in the CA Registry by June 1, 2024.
- For the Training Pathway (Option 2), 21 professional development hours must be completed (from July 1, 2023, to June 1, 2024) and verified in the CA Registry by June 1, 2024.
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. To track the status of your application and upload supplemental forms:
- Log in to your ECE Workforce Registry profile.
- Select Stipend Program: Santa Clara County: Quality Matters Stipend Program for CSPP & CCTR Providers.
- Upload required supplemental forms before the deadline (see QMSP - Forms and Checklist).
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, 2024).
- Applicants can only apply to one Option per fiscal year (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024) and may request to change their Option no later than March 29, 2024, 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 2025 to any participant who received a stipend of $600 or more. Most of the Stipend program requirements are completed online. Access to a computer or tablet and internet access is REQUIRED.
- Applicants may appeal SCCOE’s decision between September 1 and September 15, 2024.
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/.