Phase 2 Application Update
Programs should have received applications for Wage Supports Phase 2 on March 2, 2023. If you did not receive an application by March 8, 2023, and believe you should have, send an email to childcarefunding@ctunitedway.org. Remember to check your junk/spam/other folders first.
This Office of Early Childhood (OEC) initiative offers one-time payments for individual staff at all licensed child care centers, group homes, family child care homes, and license-exempt child care programs that receive School Readiness funding.
The program is our way of recognizing how hard early childhood educators work for children in Connecticut.
This is Phase 2 of the project — and the final round of payments for this program. Phase 1 applications are closed.
OEC held webinars on March 21 to answer questions about the program. Watch the video.
You can also review the presentation:
• Download the Wage Supports webinar presentation (English)
• Download the Wage Supports webinar presentation (Spanish)
How the program works
This initiative is open to staff at:
- All licensed programs (child care centers, group child care homes and family child care homes)
- License-exempt programs that receive School Readiness funds
While the payments are for staff, staff members don’t apply directly. Instead, the child care program that employs them applies for the funding. When the program receives the money, they pay the staff.
Find out if your program is eligible.
How much money will staff and programs get?
For Phase 2, all eligible staff members will get a base payment based on how many hours they work.
- Full-time employees: $1,700 base payment
At least 30 hours per week or 130 hours per month - Part-time employees: $650 base payment
Less than 30 hours per week or 130 hours per month
On top of that, staff can earn additional payments based on whether the program they work for qualifies.
Programs can get:
- Flexible program bonuses for staff compensation based on whether the program meets requirements
- Administrative payments to help cover fees for taxes and other costs related to the program
Find out about requirements and how to calculate payments for your staff and program.
Use our flyers to let providers and programs know about the initiative.
For child care centers
• Wage Supports Flyer for Child Care Centers (English)
• Wage Supports Flyer for Child Care Centers (Spanish)
For family child care
• Wage Supports Flyer for Family Child Care (English)
• Wage Supports Flyer for Family Child Care (Spanish)
How will we get paid?
Programs can choose whether to receive the funding by direct deposit or paper check.
If the program’s application is accepted, they will get the funds no later than June 30, 2023.
How can the funding be used?
If you’re a staff member:
The money is yours — treat it like a bonus to your salary that you can spend however you want. You will have to report it on your taxes.
If you’re an employer:
You have to use flexible program bonuses to compensate staff. You can use the administrative payments to cover related program fees. Learn how your program can use Wage Support payments.
How do I apply for Phase 2?
If you’re a staff member:
You don’t apply directly. Instead, ask your employer to apply to the program.
In the meantime, make sure your Early Childhood Registry account is up to date. And if you don’t have one, create one now.
Having an active, up-to-date account in the Registry could help unlock Wage Support bonuses for your program — that could mean more money that will benefit you and other staff.
If you’re an employer:
We sent all eligible employers an email with a link and steps to apply on March 2. Check your inbox for an email from childcarefunding@ctunitedway.org. Applications are due March 31, 2023.
When you open the application link, you will fill out information about the number of staff members who want to receive the funds.
In the meantime, take steps to get ready to apply.
We’re happy to help. Call 2-1-1 Child Care at 800-505-1000 or send an email.
