News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The State Department of Human Services (TDHS) announced new investments for early childhood education this week.
The so-called Wage$ Program will provide an annual salary supplement to educators at TDHS licensed child care agencies. Danielle Barnes is the TDHS Commissioner.
“The Wage$ Program not only serves as an encouragement for people to pursue a career in child care development, but also to expand their skills and training,” Barnes said. “By helping child care providers promote professional development and retention of their educators, we hope to support the continuity of care for children during those early critical years.”
The program provides an extra $400 annually to an eligible educator with six credit hours in early childhood education. The supplement rises with experience up to $2,500 a year for some educators with a master’s degree.
TDHS also announced investments to help improve existing child care. Barnes said the department will offer mini-grants of up to $5,000 to help agencies improve quality, meet licensing requirements, and obtain assistance growing capacity.
“We’re excited about making these investments because we are committed to supporting child care providers and improving quality and increasing access,” Barnes said. “With the Wage$ Program and the new mini-grants, there’s never been a better time to open a licensed child care center or expand one that’s already operating.”
These new investments into child care follow two other changes announced earlier this year to incentivize more providers to participate in the Child Care Certificate Program. Those changes included new bonus payments for non-traditional care and child care deserts along with a raise to the weekly reimbursement rates for agencies that take part in the program.
