Why does REWARD require completion of credits for some participants?
Recent studies show there is a strong link between the educational level of a provider and the quality of care they provide. As a result, the State of Wisconsin, Department of Children and Families (DCF) has been focusing on investments in initiatives that will help support the educational development of child care providers. This is demonstrated in not only the funding of programs like the R.E.W.A.R.D.™ Wisconsin Stipend Program, but also in the funding of the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Wisconsin Scholarship Program. Additionally, proposed versions of the Quality Rating System rely heavily on the credit based education of those that work in child care programs. This is not only a Wisconsin phenomenon; nationally we see states spotlighting the educational levels of child care providers.

Who needs to complete these credits?
Not all participants need to meet this requirement; only individuals at certain educational levels, specifically individuals who have not yet completed a degree:
If your Registry Certificate was issued between 1/1/2006 and 1/1/2009 individuals at Registry Levels 6 and 7 will need to successfully complete 3 credits of early childhood education coursework before another stipend agreement will be awarded
If your Registry Certificate was issued after 1/1/2009, individuals at Registry Levels 9 and 10 will need to successfully complete 3 credits of early childhood education coursework before another stipend agreement will be awarded

How much education? When does it need to be completed?
Individuals need to successfully complete 3 credits of Early Childhood Education (ECE) during the term of their stipend agreement, which is one year. The three credits need to be completed at a technical or community college, university, or public or private college. They are preferably taken at a Wisconsin institute of higher education. Credits need to be completed in the Early Childhood Department specifically, or if not in the EC Department, need to be determined by The Registry to be related credits. The 3 credits can be completed all at once, or in 2 and 1 credit increments.

What does "successfully complete" mean?
It means that the 3 credits of ECE need to be completed with a grade of C- or higher to meet this requirement.

How will the credits be verified?
Documentation verifying completion of the credits will need to be submitted to The Registry. The REWARD program has a direct and secure internet interface with Registry data. We are only able to view Registry data specific to the REWARD program.
REWARD staff use this interface initially to determine eligibility for REWARD. For example, this is how REWARD staff verifies an applicant's Registry Level. This interface is also how staff verify if a person has completed their 3 credits of ECE. Staff will access Registry data and see if 3 credits have been completed during a participant's stipend year.

This is the Registry information REWARD staff have access to:

• Name, date of birth, and last 5 digits of your Social Security Number
• Registry Level
• Registry Certificate run date
• Work History
• Credit based education and verified continuing education

What supports are there for me to get these 3 credits of education?
The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Wisconsin Scholarship Program may be able to assist REWARD participants to meet this requirement. The scholarship program pays for a majority of costs associated with pursing credit based education: the majority of tuition and book costs are paid, release time and travel stipends are paid, and also a scholarship recipient receives a bonus upon completion of the coursework. TEACH also provides a scholarship counselor that can help guide a student through the system of higher education. If you want to find out more about the TEACH program, contact us at the information below.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® WISCONSIN Scholarship Program
By phone:
In the Madison Area: 1-608-240-9880, ext. 7240
Statewide: 1-800-783-9322, ext. 7240

By email:teach@wecanaeyc.org