Alameda County Early Childhood Education
Workforce Pathways Program
The Workforce Pathways Program is dedicated to supporting the success of early learning and care (ELC) professionals throughout Alameda County. Our mission is to help you climb your career ladder through earning degree advancement, achieving or upgrading your child development permit, and pursuing ongoing professional growth. With generous stipends designed to inspire and recognize your dedication, we’re here to support your journey and celebrate your commitment to the ELC field.
The Alameda County ECE Workforce Pathways Program is funded by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).The stipend amounts listed are based on availability of funds.
The application period is: November 1, 2024- February 28, 2025
To navigate directly to a specific section, please click a link below.
You may be eligible for all three stipends!
Stipend |
Amount |
Coursework Pathway |
$100 per semester unit up to 12 units Up to $1,200 total |
Professional Development Pathway |
7 - 13 Hours - $100 14 - 20 Hours - $250 21+ Hours - $400 |
Educational Milestones |
Milestone 1- $300 (First Time Permit) Milestone 2- $400 (Child Development Permit Upgrade) Milestone 3- $600 (AA/Transfer Ready) Milestone 4- $800 (BA Degree or higher) |
Coursework Pathway
STIPEND AMOUNT – Up to $1,200
Obtain passing grades in coursework focused on early childhood education (ECE) or child development (CD) from an accredited institution. Participants can earn educational milestone stipends for achieving specific educational goals.
Professional Development Pathway
STIPEND AMOUNT – Up to $400
Complete 7-21+ hours of professional development or training
Coursework Pathway
STIPEND AMOUNT – Up to $800
Earn stipends for achieving specific educational milestones, such as completing courses toward a Child Development Permit, an Associate’s Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree in ECE, CD or HD during the 2024-25 year. Receiving an educational milestone is for those participants who pursue the coursework pathway.
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:
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:
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.
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Here is a link to the full stipend guide: 2024-25 Stipend Guide.docx
For General Inquiries, please email:
eceworkforce@acoe.org
Crystal Turner, M.S.
Program Manager, Early Learning
(510) 670-4238
cturner@acoe.org
Caroline Christman
Project Specialist
(510) 670-4554
cchristman@acoe.org