Incentive programs offer stipends for childcare professionals

Siuslaw Childcare Friends President, Adrian Pollut, announced the opening of two programs to encourage development of the Siuslaw Region’s childcare workforce.”

“I am so excited to be able to help our community expand and enhance our incredibly important childcare workforce,” Pollut said. Early childhood education is a unique calling. Those who accept the challenge deserve the recognition and support this program offers.”

The Childcare Workforce Expansion Awards provide stipends to early childhood education (“ECE”) workers whose hires expand the provider’s offered slots, and who either return to the ECE workforce after an absence or are first-time ECE workforce participants.

The Step Advancement Awards provide stipends to childcare workers who have significantly advanced their professional competence, as reflected in the Oregon Registry Online (“ORO”) Step Program.

SCF’s workforce development program “is a wise investment in the community that will pay dividends—more qualified early educators, more access to child care, and more support for working families who need care,” said Holly Mar-Conte, Child Care Sector Strategist at Onward Eugene/Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Investing in professional development is investing in the quality and sustainability of child care and early education,” observed Audrey Sherman, Quality Improvement Specialist at Quality Care Connections, Lane County’s Child Care Resource & Referral Agency. “We are encouraged to see that commitment reflected through community incentives. Individuals interested in increasing their ORO Steps can contact Quality Care Connections to develop a Professional Development Plan with a specialist.”

Any childcare provider may nominate its eligible workers for these awards using a form provided by SCF. Both programs apply to achievements occurring after April 1, 2026 (the first day on the job or the date ORO Step recognition is granted) and before August 31, 2027.

Officers and directors of SCF and members of their immediate families are not eligible for awards. SCF reserves the right to terminate or amend the programs at any time. The termination or amendment will not apply to any awards for which a notice of grant has been issued.

Childcare Workforce Expansion Awards

Workforce Expansion Awards are available to two groups of ECE workers:

Returning workforce participants:

Workers who

• (i) have at least two years’ experience in the ECE workforce anywhere in Oregon,
• (ii) have been out of that workforce for two years or more,
• (iii) re-enter the ECE workforce in the Siuslaw Region after April 1, 2026 but before August 31, 2027,
• (iv) are additions to a provider’s staff (not replacements), and
• (v) have completed ninety days of service:
• – Teacher or Lead Teacher: $1,000–$2,000 depending on experience
• – Aide: $500–$1,000 depending on experience

First-time workforce participants:

Workers who

• (i) enter the ECE workforce for the first time after April 1, 2026 but before August 31, 2027,
• (ii) are additions to a provider’s staff (not replacements), and
• (iii) have completed ninety days of service:
• – Teacher or Lead Teacher: $1,000
• – Aide: $500

Step Advancement Awards

Step Advancement Awards are available to any ECE worker employed in the Siuslaw Region who, after April 1, 2026 but before August 31, 2027, completes:

• Step 9: $750
• Step 6: $500
• Step 4: $300

About Siuslaw Childcare Friends

SCF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Its mission is to “support, sustain, and expand childcare and early learning opportunities for families of all income levels. We will lift and support families by providing safe, reliable, affordable childcare and early learning opportunities in the Siuslaw Region.”

To further that mission, SCF will “support and sustain childcare and early learning services in the greater Siuslaw region by combining the expertise and extensive experience of its board members with the ability to raise funds to meet current and future challenges.”

SCF is the community steward of the two community rooms in the Elm Park Early Learning Center, now under construction at 1001 Greenwood Street. It will also provide financial aid for childcare to eligible low-income families enrolled in the Stepping Stones Center for Early Learning, LLC programs.

SCF’s Board consists of Sally Wantz, Sandy Craft, Justin Ludwig, and Adrian Pollut.