Workforce Pathways LA

Early Care & Education

Based on the legacy of the Investing in Early Educators Stipend Program (AB 212), Workforce Pathways LA is a comprehensive workforce development model that works in partnership with Quality Start Los Angeles (QSLA), the County-wide quality improvement consortium. Workforce Pathways LA supports participants along the career lattice with a focus on three areas: licensing/health and safety; stipend program; and workforce systems improvement. The Workforce Pathways LA Stipend Program increases the skills, competencies and the abilities of early educators, increases the number of ECE professionals with Child Development Permits, and increases the number of professionals with degrees in early childhood. It serves as a support mechanism for early educators to create professional development plans, receive advisement, and be awarded a financial incentive for completing a milestone in professional development, college coursework, Child Development Permits, or college degrees.

Workforce Pathways LA is funded through a partnership with the California Department of Education, California Department of Social Services, and First 5 California.

Introduction

The Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education is pleased to announce that the Workforce Pathways LA Stipend Program will be accepting applications For Fiscal Year 2022-2023 From September 16 – September 30, 2022.

To apply, please visit www.caregistry.org. Applications sent by mail will not be processed. If you have questions, about the Workforce Pathways LA – Stipend Program application, please contact the Workforce Pathways LA staff by email.

Selecting a Pathway

Selecting a Pathway is an important component of WPLA as successful completion of your selection will determine your stipend payment. WPLA is designed to reward the completion of college credits towards a degree in Child Development of Early Childhood Education. Completion of a degree or college credits will always pay more than completing 21 hours of professional development. Please note that the stipend for completing 21 hours of professional development is only available for participants who do not have a bachelor’s degree.

If it has been a while since you have taken a course at a community college, there are many new courses that you have not taken. There are courses on working with children with special needs, dual language learners, and the development of infants and toddlers. Many courses are available online which opens the possible schools where you can take classes without commuting or parking.

Advisement

We are currently designing a College and Career Advisement component of WPLA which will be available to all program participants. We hope that you will participate once this is launched. Once launched, participating in Advising will increase one’s stipend payment. E-mail notifications will be sent once this is launched.