Alameda County Early Childhood Workforce Pathways Program
Alameda County Early Childhood Workforce Pathways Program
The Alameda County Early Childhood Workforce Pathways Program supports early learning and care professionals as they grow in their careers. Whether you’re pursuing a college degree, earning or upgrading a Child Development Permit, or building your skills through professional development, we’re here to help you take the next step.
Eligible professionals can receive stipends to support their educational and professional goals. We recognize the important work you do and are committed to supporting your continued growth in the early learning and care field.
The program is funded by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). Stipends are subject to funding availability.
The Alameda County Early Childhood Workforce Pathways Program will open November 2, 2026, and accept applications through February 2027.
Check back for application details, eligibility requirements, and information about available stipends.
To stay informed, email eceworkforce@acoe.org to be added to our mailing list.
To navigate directly to a specific section, please click a link below.
Pathways & Milestones
Coursework Pathway Stipend
Requirement: Complete ECE/CD or related coursework at an accredited institution of higher education, achieving a grade of ‘C’ or higher.
Stipend Amount — Up to $1,200
• $100 per semester unit up to 12 units
• Up to $1,200 total
Professional Development Pathway Stipend
Requirement: Complete between 7–21+ hours of professional development.
Stipend Amount — Up to $400
• 7–13 Hours — $100
• 14–20 Hours — $250
• 21+ Hours — $400
Educational Milestone Stipend
Requirement: Obtain a new Child Development Permit, upgrade an existing permit, or earn an early childhood degree.
Stipend Amount — Up to $800
• Milestone 1: $300 (First Time Child Development Permit)
• Milestone 2: $400 (Child Development Upgrade)
• Milestone 3: $600 (Associate’s Degree)
• Milestone 4: $800 (Bachelor’s Degree or higher)
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Alameda County Early Childhood Workforce Pathways Program supports early learning and care professionals as they grow their skills and advance their careers. The program offers stipends and access to advising and support to help eligible professionals pursue college coursework, professional development, Child Development Permits, and degrees in early childhood education or related fields.
Stipend Opportunities
Coursework Stipend
For eligible early learning and care professionals who complete college courses related to early childhood education.
Professional Development Stipend
For eligible early learning and care professionals who complete training or other professional development related to early childhood education.
Educational Milestone Stipend
For eligible professionals participating in the Coursework or Professional Development pathway who earn or upgrade a Child Development Permit or earn a degree in early childhood education or a related field.
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To be eligible to receive an Alameda County Early Childhood Workforce Pathways Program stipend, participants must:
- Be at least 18 years old and have a Social Security Number OR Tax ID Number
- Work directly with children for at least 15 hours per week in an Alameda County early learning and care setting. Eligible programs include:
- Licensed Family Child Care
- Licensed infant/toddler, preschool, or school-age centers
- License-exempt home-based childcare providers
- License-exempt child care centers
- Alternative Settings:
- Friends, Family & Neighbors (FFN)
- Home Visiting Programs
- Nannies (if a member of a verifiable Nanny agency)
Please Note: Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten teachers are not eligible to apply for the Alameda County Early Childhood Workforce Pathways Program, however, there are other stipend opportunities available for those working in these settings. For additional information, please email: earlylearning@acoe.org
Please note that the stipend amounts listed in this guide are based on availability of funds. If stipend funds are limited, priority will be given to providers working in the following settings:
- A Quality Counts Alameda County program (https://www.alamedakids.org/qualitycounts/)
- Programs that have enrolled children receiving a subsidy through a state contract (CCTR or CSPP) or a Resource & Referral agency voucher (APP or CalWORKs)
- Teachers working in one of the Alameda County Child Care LPC Priority Zip Codes (94501, 94536, 94538, 94541, 94544, 94545, 94546, 94550, 94551, 94566, 94580, 94568, 94577, 94578, 94587, 94588, 94601, 94602, 94603, 94605, 94606, 94607, 94608, 94618, 94619, 94621, 94702), including Full-Day and Part-Day State Preschool (CSPP), Infant-Toddler Full-Day (CCTR), and School-Aged (CCTR programs).
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If you need assistance with determining your pathway(s) to choose, please send an email to: eceworkforce@acoe.org, or complete our Eligibility Survey.
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Step 1:
Log on to the CA Workforce Registry (www.caregistry.org). If you do not have a Registry account, you will need to create one and be approved as an employee at an eligible Alameda County provider. A W-9 is required. Please complete, sign, and upload it to the ECE Workforce Registry at this time. Click here to access a blank W-9 form.
Step 2:
Click on “Quick Links” and under Tools, click on the “Stipend Module Application” icon.
Step 3:
Review your personal information and if anything is incorrect, follow the instructions at the top of the page to review and edit your Registry Profile. The accuracy of this information will determine your eligibility for the stipend.
If all is correct, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on:
Step 4:
Click on “Alameda County Early Childhood Workforce Pathways Program” at the top of the list of programs.
Step 5:
Review the information on this landing page carefully and review the list of resources as some of these resources may be helpful to you as you begin the stipend application process. When you’re ready to apply, click:
For additional help, https://youtu.be/RHexGPtryIk?feature=shared watch this video from the Workforce Registry on How to Apply for a Stipend.
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Stipend Amount Coursework Pathway $100 per unit up to 12 units ($1,200 total) Professional Development Pathway 7 - 13 Hours - $100
14 - 20 Hours - $250
21+ Hours - $400Educational Milestones Milestone 1-$300 (first time permit)
Milestone 2- $400 (permit upgrade)
Milestone 3- $600 (AA/Transfer Ready)
Milestone 4- $800 (BA Degree or higher) -
Contact Us
For general inquiries, please reach out to our Early Learning Team.
