| Questions &
Answers about the 2010-2011 CARES Program
Q: What is the CARES program?
A: The Comprehensive Approaches to Raising Educational Standards (CARES) Program is designed to provide training and support to caregivers along the entire continuum of care, from family, friend and neighbor (FFN) caregivers to teachers with advanced degrees. The program encourages retention of caregivers in the field and provides cash incentives or resources to further educational attainment.
Q: How do I get an application?
A: You must attend a Mandatory Application Orientation. Please visit the Child Action, Inc. Calendar of Events for dates and times of upcoming orientations. Most orientations are held on evenings and weekends.
Q: Who can apply?
A:
Early Childhood Education staff, including home-based, licensed and license exempt family child care providers, family child care assistants and center based staff in public and private child care programs in Sacramento County.
Q: How do I determine which stipend level I
am eligible for?
A:
Stipend levels are granted according to the amount of training/education a provider has received. For help in determining your track, attend a mandatory CARES Orientation.
Q: What coursework will be accepted?
A:
Acceptable coursework differs by Track and there is very specific college coursework required in order to earn a Child Development Teacher Permit and/or degree in Child Development. Do not take college classes in hope that they will help you qualify for a CARES stipend. It is best that you consult with an academic advisor at the college you are attending to ensure that you are on the right path. Use the Education/Training Portfolio provided during the CARES orientation to serve as a guide for what coursework is accepted for the CARES Program. Keep this as an ongoing record of your education and provide a copy with your application.
Q: What is the Education/Training Portfolio?
A: The Education/Training Portfolio is a comprehensive goal-setting tool that documents past, present, and future educational pursuits, guides early care and education professionals through their educational path, and assists in identifying educational goals. The Education/Training Portfolio will assist you in identifying the coursework or training you will need in order to be considered for a CARES stipend. It serves as documentation of the coursework that you have completed or intend to complete. This document is a requirement for the Sacramento CARES program but is not an official Education Plan. This document does not substitute for information required by community or 4-year colleges or the Child Development Permit Matrix. Always consult with a college counselor to ensure that you are on the appropriate educational path to reach your desired goals.
Q: What grades are acceptable for a CARES Stipend?
A: Coursework must be completed with a "C" grade or higher. Courses marked "D" or "F" will not be accepted. Courses marked "I" for Incomplete or "W" for Withdrawn will not be accepted. A "Pass" in a Pass/Fail course will be accepted and a "CR" for credit in a Credit/No Credit course will be accepted.
For those who are interested in Track 5B (ECERS) and are attending the ECERS class at Los Rios Community College, you must earn an “A” in the class to be eligible for a stipend.
Q:
Can the units earned through the UC Davis series count toward the CARES unit requirements?
A:
No, they will not count because these units are considered continuing education units and they are not transferable to a California State University system. However, if you are applying for Track 2A or Track 5A, you can use the hours towards the professional growth requirements for those tracks.
Q:
Can the units earned through the PITC training count toward the CARES unit requirements?
A:
Please see a counselor at the school that you are attending with the course description from the PITC training and get approval that the units either apply towards an AA degree or are transferrable towards a BA degree.
Q:
I work in a school age program. Am I eligible for a CARES stipend?
A:
Staff working in private facilities must be caring for children 0 to 5 years old, who are not enrolled in kindergarten. If you are caring for children over 5 years old in a private setting, you are not eligible. Contact the CARES Coordinator to help determine eligibility.
Q:
Does everyone who applies for the CARES program receive a stipend?
A:
No. Due to funding limitations, NOT ALL ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS are guaranteed a stipend. If there are more eligible applicants than funding available, a lottery will be held to determine stipend awardees.
Q:
What if I don’t submit everything that is required?
A:
All information on the application must be supplied at the CARES Orientation and all supporting documentation must be provided on the due date. Applicants that are missing information or documentation will be considered incomplete and will not qualify for a stipend. Child Action, Inc. will not be responsible for missing or incomplete information. We highly encourage you to submit your application packet EARLY to ensure that you have time to make corrections if you are missing anything.
Q:
How will foreign transcripts be handled for applicants who have coursework or a degree from another country?
A:
Foreign transcripts must be evaluated for their U.S. equivalency before the CARES Application is submitted. The transcript evaluation must be performed by an agency that is accredited by the Commission for Foreign Transcript Evaluation.
Q: I received a stipend last year. Do I need to reapply?
A: YES! Everyone must attend an orientation in order to apply for the 2010-2011 Program Year.
Q:
When will stipend checks be available?
A:
Stipend checks are processed in Spring 2011.
Q: Is the CARES Stipend check considered taxable income?
A:
Yes, the stipend check is considered taxable income and should be reported to the Internal Revenue Service. A 1099 form will be sent to the home of every recipient who received a stipend. It is the responsibility of the CARES stipend recipient to notify Child Action, Inc. of any change of address, to ensure that all proper information reaches the CARES recipient.
Q: If I have a BA in Liberal Studies and am working towards a credential in early education will that count for CARES?
A:
Yes, as long as you have taken the required 6 units of course work in ECE/CD and the courses you are taking apply to earning your credential.
Q: If I hold BA Degree in Liberal Studies (or MA in Education) but do not have ECE units, am I eligible to apply for Track 5A or 5B?
A:
No, you must meet the basic eligibility requirements of 6 ECE units in order to be eligible. |
