Stanislaus County CARES

Stanislaus County Children and Families Commission funds the CARES Project to improve the quality of early care and education programs by building a more qualified, stable work force. Cash payments and/or resources will be provided to encourage continued professional growth that in turn builds a more qualified and stable child development workforce.

Permit Advising Project

Stanislaus County CARES Project Permit/Academic Advising provides personal advising appointments where participants work with a qualified Community College/Professional Development advisor to develop individualized professional growth and educational plans. The CARES Early Learning Specialist is also available to advise participants on their Child Development Permit Professional Growth Plan and Record.

Family Friend and Neighbor Trainings Track I

We offer:

• Eight trainings in six high need, low supply and/or low API school area locations in Stanislaus County for FFN (unlicensed/license exempt or trustlined) infant/child care providers to attract a group of 15 providers for 6 continued trainings each at PRC in Modesto and Wakefield School in Turlock. 20 total trainings provided.
• Useful resources or a $25 grocery voucher to each provider (one per household) for attending a training.
• Information on community resources, the family child care license, and continued formal and informal education opportunities appropriate for FFN child care providers.

Entry Track II

We offer:

• $250 or $400 cash stipend† to eligible early care and education providers to encourage entry into Track III.
• Mandatory training on the benefits of continuing college education and acquisition of the child development permit.
• Permit and academic advising to encourage continued college education toward a child development permit.
• † $400 cash stipend is for family child care providers/staff who successfully complete at least 3 semester units toward their first Child Development Permit. $250 stipend is for family child care providers/staff who choose to complete professional growth hours instead of 3 semester college units.

Permit/Degree Track III and IV

We offer:

• Cash stipends to eligible early care and education providers that complete three degree applicable/transfer college units based on the level of child development permit held.
  

  Permit Level	Stipend Amount
  Assistant	$600
  Associate Teacher	$850
  Teacher	$1,100
  Master Teacher	$1,300
  Site Supervisor	$1,500
  Program Director	$1,600

• Mandatory CARES training/seminar: environment rating scales for first year participants; environment rating sales as refresher or Professional Development Seminar as an option for returning participants.
• An Advisory Committee quarterly.
• Permit/academic and professional growth advising to encourage continued formal education toward higher child development permit levels and degree completion.
• A $500 supplement to eligible applicants that hold a Site Supervisor or Program Director Permit that have successfully completed six units or more of degree applicable/transfer college units.