The goal of the Alameda County Early Childhood Workforce Pathways Program is to provide financial incentives, advising, and support to early learning and care providers in Alameda County for completing early childhood related training, college courses, and obtaining or upgrading their child development permits and related degrees. By participating, early learning and care providers enhance their knowledge and skills, which elevates the quality of education and care for children.

The following stipend opportunities are available through the Alameda County Early Childhood Workforce Pathways Program: 

Coursework Pathway Stipend: For early learning and care providers who finish college courses related to early childhood.

Professional Development Pathway Stipend: For early learning and care providers who complete training or other professional development related to early childhood.

Educational Milestones Stipend: For early learning and care providers on the Coursework or Professional Development Pathway who earn or upgrade child development permits and degrees in early childhood or related fields.

Funded by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), the Alameda County Early Childhood Workforce Pathways Program is a collaborative effort involving the Alameda County Office of Education, First 5 Alameda County, local resource and referral agencies (BANANAS, Hively, and 4C's), the California Workforce Registry, local colleges, and other community partners dedicated to supporting early childhood programs and workforce development through Quality Counts Alameda County.

To be eligible to receive an Alameda County Early Childhood Workforce Pathways Program stipend, participants must: 

• Be at least 18 years old and have a Social Security Number OR Tax ID Number
• Work directly with children for at least 15 hours per week in an Alameda County early learning and care setting. Eligible programs include:
  • Licensed Family Child Care
  • Licensed infant/toddler, preschool, or school-age centers
  • License-exempt home-based childcare providers
  • License-exempt child care centers
  • Alternative Settings: 
    • Friends, Family & Neighbors (FFN)
    • Home Visiting Programs
    • Nannies (if a member of a verifiable Nanny agency)

Please Note: Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten teachers are not eligible to apply for the Alameda County Early Childhood Workforce Pathways Program, however, there are other stipend opportunities available for those working in these settings. For additional information, please email: earlylearning@acoe.org

Please note that the stipend amounts listed in this guide are based on availability of funds. If stipend funds are limited, priority will be given to providers working in the following settings:

• A Quality Counts Alameda County program (https://www.alamedakids.org/qualitycounts/)
• Programs that have enrolled children receiving a subsidy through a state contract (CCTR or CSPP) or a Resource & Referral agency voucher (APP or CalWORKs)
• Teachers working in one of the Alameda County Child Care LPC Priority Zip Codes (94501, 94536, 94538, 94541, 94544, 94545, 94546, 94550, 94551, 94566, 94580, 94568, 94577, 94578, 94587, 94588, 94601, 94602, 94603, 94605, 94606, 94607, 94608, 94618, 94619, 94621, 94702), including Full-Day and Part-Day State Preschool (CSPP), Infant-Toddler Full-Day (CCTR), and School-Aged (CCTR programs).

If you need assistance with determining your pathway(s) to choose, please send an email to: eceworkforce@acoe.org, or complete our Eligibility Survey.

Step 1:

Log on to the CA Workforce Registry (www.caregistry.org). If you do not have a Registry account, you will need to create one and be approved as an employee at an eligible Alameda County provider. A W-9 is required. Please complete, sign, and upload it to the ECE Workforce Registry at this time. Click here to access a blank W-9 form. 

Step 2:

Click on “Quick Links” and under Tools, click on the “Stipend Module Application” icon.

Step 3:

Review your personal information and if anything is incorrect, follow the instructions at the top of the page to review and edit your Registry Profile. The accuracy of this information will determine your eligibility for the stipend. 

If all is correct, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on: 

Step 4:

Click on “Alameda County Early Childhood Workforce Pathways Program” at the top of the list of programs.

Step 5:

Review the information on this landing page carefully and review the list of resources as some of these resources may be helpful to you as you begin the stipend application process. When you’re ready to apply, click: 

For additional help, https://youtu.be/RHexGPtryIk?feature=shared watch this video from the Workforce Registry on How to Apply for a Stipend.

Here is a link to the full stipend guide: 2024-25 Stipend Guide.docx