Child Care WAGE$ of Kansas 

*WAGE$ is available in Ellis county through our local Smart Start; however, currently there is a waiting
list for funds.

What is Child Care WAGE$ of Kansas?

Child Care WAGE$ of Kansas provides education-based salary supplements to teachers and family child care providers working with children between the ages of 0-5 who meet salary guidelines. The project is designed to provide preschool children more stable relationship with better educated teachers by rewarding teacher education and continuity of care.  Child Care Wage$ of Kansas is offered in select counties and is funded through a collaborative effort between your local Smart Start Partnership and the Kansas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.

Who is eligible to receive a salary supplement?

Any teacher or family child care provider earning less than $14.45 per hour may be eligible for a salary supplement. The supplement recipient must work with children between the ages of 0-5 at least 20 hours per week in a licensed child care site in a participating county and must have some formal child care credential or education beyond a high school diploma.

How much will one receive?

Salary supplements are tied to the education level of the recipient. For example, a teacher or child care provider is eligible for a $600 annual supplement for having attained the CDA, or can earn $2,000 per year with an AAS in Early Childhood Education. The amount of the supplement increases as the level of education increases. A participant must work a minimum of 35 hours to receive the full supplement amount.  Supplements for a part-time employee are prorated based on a 40 hour work week.

What do I have to do to participate in the Child Care WAGE$ of Kansas?

In order to participate in the project, interested child care professionals must complete an applicaiton and provide verificaiton of 1)current employment in licensed child care program in an elegible county 2) current wages and 3) educational credentials.

How are supplements received?

Each participant who meets the requirement for Child Care WAGE$ Kansas and remains eligible will receive a check from KACCRRA in the seventh month, after the completion of his/her six month commitment period; commitment periods are established by KACCRRA for each individual participant using applicaiton date, start date, and education documentation. The installment is based on half of annual award amount and reflects the schedule worked during the six month period.  All payments are contingent upon fuding availability. Project staff must verify that particpants have worked in their child care programs during the preceding six months before checks can be issued.  Once approved for an award, particpants who remain employed in the same chld care program do not need to reapply.

How can I increase the level of the supplement I receive?

Participants in Child Care WAGE$ Kansas may increase their supplment amounts by gaining more education. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Project offers scholarships to child care professsionals who wnat to earn credentials or degrees in early childhood education. Please call the KACCRRA office to request information about T.E.A.C.H. Documentation of increased education must be submitted to Child Care WAGE$ Kansas in order to qualify for a higher award amount. Participants are encouraged to send grade reports or updated transcript after any formal coursework.

Do I have to pay taxes on the supplement I receive?

The salary supplement is income. Particpants will receive an IRS-1099 form at the end of the year if they received $600 or more from KACCRRA during the calendar year. Recipients are responsible for reporting and paying any income taxes due.

Will I receive a supplement if I move to another child care program?

Checks are issued to participants after each six month period in the same child care program.  If a participant moves licensed child care program in a participating county within the six months, then the commitment period must be reset based on her/his employment date at the new site.

If I work in a child care center, what is the center's responsibility?

A child care center must agree to provde verification of an applicant's employment status and wages and agree not to use participation in the Child Care WAGE$ Kansas to offset normal wage increases. The center in not responsible for providing the salary supplement should funding no longer be available.

TO SUMMARIZE:

To be eligible for at lease one 6 month payment during the fiscal year, applicants must:

1. Work in a county that is currently eligible for Child Care WAGE$ Kansas

2. Work in a licensed child care program (center or home)

3. Earn less than $14.45 per hour as a teacher or family child care provider

4. Have a specific level of education

5. Work at least six months in the same child care program

6. Be employed at this same child care program at the time of employment confirmation

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR AN APPLICATION, CONTACT:

Child Care WAGE$ Kansas

KACCRRA, PO Box 2294

Salina, KS  67402-2294

Phone: 785.823.3343

Toll-Free: 877.678.2548