FAQS

WAGE$ provides education-based salary supplements to center-based educators and family childcare providers working with children in an early childhood setting. The program is designed to increase retention, education, and compensation. The program is funded with Preschool Development Grant (PDG) planning dollars made available by the state of Rhode Island. This funding is available for a limited time and based on the parameters of the federal grant.

A childcare professional earning $23 per hour or less, who is at least 18 years old and working a minimum of 10 hours per week in a licensed early childhood setting, may be eligible to participate in the WAGE$ program. Eligible professionals must work directly with children ages birth to 5 in roles such as Assistant Teacher, Lead Teacher, Floater, or Family Child Care Provider, without holding dual roles. Participants must meet the educational requirements outlined on the WAGE$ RI scale, providing proof in the form of an official transcript or CDA credential. Additionally, participants must register with the Early Childhood Education Workforce Registry, work at a DHS-licensed, BrightStars, and CCAP-participating child care program, and have been employed at the same program for at least 6 months. Proof of income, such as a current paystub or, for Family Child Care Providers, a Schedule C or full tax documents, will be required.

*Ineligible Positions: Education Coordinators, Assistant Directors, Directors, dual-role employees, and other administrative staff are not eligible to receive the wage supplement. *

The awards vary based on the education earned by the participant and the eligible hours worked. The salary supplement scale shows annual award amounts for full-time eligibility. Awards are issued in two six-month installments per year, each after the participant completes an assigned six-month commitment period in the same childcare program. The amount received will reflect the average hours worked during the six-month period; supplements for part-time employees are prorated. This funding is available for a limited time and based on the parameters of the federal grant.

Interested childcare professionals must complete an online application and provide verification of the following: (1) current employment in a licensed child care program, (2) current wages, (3) education completed, as verified by an official transcript or CDA credential, and (4) proof of participation in the Workforce Registry. A checklist of required documentation can be found in the program application.

Payments are issued following commitment period completion to eligible participants who have met the requirements. Commitment periods run from mid-month to mid-month and are established for each individual participant using the application date, start date, and education documentation. The installment is based on half of the annual award amount and reflects the average hours worked during the six-month period. All payments are contingent upon funding availability. Program staff must verify that participants have worked in their childcare programs during the preceding six months before payments can be issued. Once approved for an award, participants who remain in the same childcare program do not need to reapply in order to receive future installments.

WAGE$ participants may, and in some cases must, increase their supplement amounts by advancing their education. Participants awarded at a “Temporary Level” must raise their education level to remain eligible for the program. TEACH Early Childhood® Rhode Island offers scholarships to childcare professionals seeking to earn course credits toward specific early childhood credentials or degrees. For more information, contact TEACH Early Childhood® Rhode Island at 401-739-6100 or [email protected] Participants are encouraged to submit an updated transcript to WAGE$ RI after completing any formal coursework so staff can assess eligibility for the highest possible award.

The salary supplement is income. Participants will receive an IRS-1099 form at the end of the year if they receive $600 or more from The Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC) during the calendar year. Recipients are responsible for reporting and paying any personal income taxes due. Participants will be taxed on wage supplements confirmed within their assessment year. This is not necessarily the date a check is received by the participant. The assessment year is the tax year currently being assessed by the IRS.

Payments are issued to participants after each six-month period in the same childcare program. If a participant moves to another licensed child care program within six months, then the commitment period must be reset based on eligible reapplication and the employment date at the new site. This policy is designed to encourage more stability for the children in care.

A childcare center must agree to provide verification of an applicant’s employment status and wages and agree not to use participation in the program to offset normal wage increases. The center is not responsible for providing the salary supplement.