November 13, 2024
Over the past two and one-half years, AECA has been excited and honored to support our ECE workforce through the Step Up to WAGE$ program. Since 2022, $9.2 million in wage supplements have been paid to eligible child care professionals who work directly with children birth to age five. Since the program started, the WAGE$ staff has been consistent in the message the wage supplements are funded with one-time COVID relief money, and this funding is not a permanent solution. But we believed some immediate relief was needed to help our providers financially recover from the pandemic. The eligibility criteria were changed in July to allow the program to serve child care workers most in need through the 2024-25 year. As we now look towards 2025, we regretfully announce that all funding allotted for Step Up to WAGE$ will be spent by July 31, 2025.
We understand this is disappointing news. Let me assure our early childhood workforce this is not the end of AECA’s mission and commitment to work on pathways to improve compensation in the early childhood profession. The Board and staff at AECA must and will continue to partner with our state ECE leaders and policymakers to develop alternatives that can ensure early childhood education is a career that financially supports its people and their families. For today, we want to give Step Up to WAGE$ participants as much notice as possible about the future of the program. Please read the information below.
What does this mean for Step Up to WAGE$ participants?
- The last commitment period group that will receive a stipend will be those eligibility-confirmed participants whose commitment period ends June 14, 2025. Payments for this group will be mailed by July 31, 2025.
- Step Up to WAGE$ will not begin any new commitment periods that end later than June 14, 2025. For a normal (six-month) commitment period, this means December 15, 2024 will be the last commitment group that is eligible for payment.
- For participants who would have a commitment period beginning January 15, 2025 or later, those commitment periods will not be active and no WAGE$ supplements will be paid for those periods of employment or any later period.
- For those who are completing or will complete an active commitment period by June 14, confirmation requests will continue to be sent out to employers, and stipends will be paid to those participants who are eligible.
- WORK LESS THAN 12 MONTHS: If you are a 9- or 10- or 11-month employee—which will extend an active commitment period beyond June 14—we will address these situations individually. This will also apply if you have taken or will take a leave of absence that will extend an active commitment period beyond June. If eligible for payment, participants will receive an email explaining how their final stipend will be prorated. (Final amounts are subject to information received from employers at confirmation.)
- LEVELING UP: Current participants who will be eligible for another stipend may still submit an official transcript to request an increase in their stipend level. The WAGE$ staff must receive official transcripts no later than the 1st of the month when the commitment period ends. Official transcripts can be emailed from the directly from the school to wages@arkansasearlychildhood.org or mailed to Step Up to WAGE$, PO Box 2520, Bentonville, AR 72712. Mailed transcripts must be received in sealed intact envelopes with the school stamp. The last day we can receive any transcripts to level up will be Monday, June 2, 2025.
Are you still taking new applications?
- The last day Step Up to WAGE$ can process applications from newly hired employees (employed less than 30 days) will be December 2, 2024.
The last day to process applications from employees employed 30 days or more will be January 2, 2025.
These are NOT postmark deadlines. Applications must be 100% complete, including copies of paystubs and official transcripts received from the school. Applications may be mailed or emailed.
- The Step Up to WAGE$ staff will not be able to approve any application where a commitment period will extend beyond June 14.
What do I need to do now?
- Unless you need to report changes in your information, education or employment, participants do not need to do anything right now.
- Participants who complete commitment periods between November 14 and June 14 will be emailed notices about any payments for the current period and the status of any future commitment period.
T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship participants: Your scholarship will not be affected in any way. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood scholarship is a separate program with a separate budget.
Send an email to wages@arkansasearlychildhood.org if you have questions about your individual situation—this is the fastest way to get answers.
Thank you for your participation in Step Up to WAGE$ these past three years. The support of our providers means so much as AECA continues the mission of growing and strengthening the early childhood workforce in Arkansas.
Sincerely,
Paul Lazenby
AECA Executive Director
Laura House
Step Up to WAGE$ Program Manager
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