Sec. 13a.14.09.08. Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund

A. Fund Uses and Limitations. An award under the Fund:

(1) Shall be:

(a) Applied toward the cost of:

(i) Tuition;

(ii) College fees; and

(iii) Course-required textbooks; and

(b) Used by a grantee only for the actual expense of college course work incurred subsequent to an award toward completion of:

(i) A college degree in early childhood education or a related field; or

(ii) Developmental course work needed to meet prerequisites for a degree program in early childhood education or a related field.

(2) May not be used to pay for fees or costs, including tuition costs, previously incurred for college enrollment or attendance purposes.

B. Eligibility to submit an application is limited to individuals who:

(1) Are participating in the credential program at level 2 or higher;

(2) Have at least 1 year of documented experience working with groups of children in an approved setting; and

(3) Have been accepted by an accredited college or university for enrollment in one or more college courses for credit toward a degree in early childhood education or a related field.

C. Applications.

(1) The Office shall accept an application only from a provider, as defined at Regulation .02 of this chapter.

(2) To apply for the Fund, the applicant shall submit to the Office a complete application, which includes:

(a) An application form, supplied by the Office, which is completed and signed by the applicant; and

(b) All documentation required by the application form supplied by the Office.

(3) Priority for an award shall be given to applicants who have not completed any college courses for credit from an accredited college or university.

(4) Subject to funding availability, the Office shall approve an applicant to receive an award if the:

(a) Application is complete;

(b) College has been approved to participate in the Fund; and

(c) Applicant is eligible to receive an award.

(5) Upon determination by the Office that an applicant is eligible to receive an award and that funding is available:

(a) The applicant shall receive an award; and

(b) An award letter shall be issued to the applicant.

(6) If an eligible applicant is denied an award due to insufficient award funds, the individual may reapply to be considered for a future award.

(7) If an applicant is found ineligible for an award, the Office shall:

(a) Provide written notification to the applicant of the determination of ineligibility; and

(b) Return to the applicant all application materials submitted.

(8) Assignment of Awards.

(a) Funding for the Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund awards is provided to the Office on an annual basis.

(b) The Office shall make awards annually until:

(i) An award has been made to each eligible applicant who has submitted a complete application; or

(ii) The funding allocation is exhausted.

D. Continuation and Service Requirement. Upon receipt of a Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund award, a grantee shall:

(1) Be eligible for continued funding as long as:

(a) An academic grade-point average of 2.5 or higher is maintained in all course work pursued in satisfaction of award requirements;

(b) The grantee is employed at least 10 hours per week as a provider in an approved child care facility;

(c) The grantee successfully completes at least two courses during each 12-month period of the grantee’s award; and

(d) The approved course of study is pursued;

(2) In relation to the number of college credits, or equivalent, completed or the degree earned due in part or in whole to receipt of a Fund award, commit to continuing employment at least 10 hours per week as a provider for a period of time which is the shortest of:

(a) 1 month for each college credit successfully completed;

(b) 2 years for a completed associate degree; or

(c) 4 years for a completed bachelor's degree;

(3) If the grantee’s academic grade-point average falls below 2.5, agree to a plan of action established by the Office and the college in order to continue participation in the Fund; and

(4) If the grantee does not comply with the plan of action specified in §D(3) of this regulation, be ineligible to receive a future Fund award.