About Riverside County CARES Plus
First 5 Riverside CARES Plus is a program of professional support that provides incentive stipends to eligible early childhood caregivers. In order to work toward a CARES Plus stipend, participants must complete the CORE requirements first. Once all of the CORE requirements have been met, participants can enroll in either Component B (if no B.A./B.S. degree) or Component C (must have B.A./B.S. degree). Participants have the option of working concurrently in Component A if desired, but will not receive a stipend for this Component until all the requirements for Component B have been met. All participants must:
- Provide child care in Riverside County for at least 15 hours per week to children birth through five, and be working for nine consecutive months.
- Work as an Early Care and Education Professional in one of the following services:
- Family child care
- Center-based care
- Compose and implement a Professional Development Plan under the supervision of a Riverside County CARES Plus Advisor.
Individuals who receive AB 212 funding in the same fiscal year (July 1–June 30) are not eligible for Riverside County CARES Plus stipends.
Riverside County CARES Plus early care professional assistance tracks
CORE
All First 5 Riverside CARES Plus participants are required to complete the CORE components prior to moving on to components A, B or C.
Requirements:
- Meet with a CARES Plus Advisor and submit a Professional Development Plan (PDP)
- Introduction to CLASS (4-6 hours, online)
- Looking at CLASSrooms (LAC) – includes Video Library (20-30 hours, online)
- CLASS Observation Tool (if selected – involves a pre and post test)
- Self-directed training on second-hand smoke (online)
NOTE: Returning participants are not required to complete the Intro to CLASS and Looking at CLASS Trainings if already completed BOTH during the 2011-2012 program year. If you only completed one or the other, and not BOTH, you will need to complete BOTH during this program year. Additionally, if you already completed the Second Hand Smoke Training during the 2011-2012 program year, you are not required to complete it again this year.
If you are an Infant/Toddler teacher, you will need to complete the Intro to CLASS and Looking at CLASSrooms for Infant/Toddlers this year, regardless if you completed the Pre-K Intro to CLASS and Pre-K Looking at CLASSrooms last year, as this is a new addition to the 2012-2013 program.
What is CLASS?
The Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) is an observational tool that focuses on the classroom interactions that boost student learning. Teacher–student interactions are categorized into three domains:
- Emotional Support
- Classroom Organization
- Instructional Support
The goal of CLASS is to help support teachers' individual professional development needs in an effort to provide the most effective classroom environment and increase the opportunity for student success.
For more information on CLASS, please refer to the following website: http://www.teachstone.com/
Component A
Component A consists of California Department of Education (CDE) sponsored trainings and is available for individuals who are working toward their associate or bachelor's degree. Component A cannot be taken independently, but can be taken simultaneously with Components B or C.
Minimum Requirements:
Participants must complete a minimum of 21 hours per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
Available Training Options:
- Foundations
- Preschool Curriculum Framework
- Learning and Development System
- Competencies
- English Learners Guide (PEL)
- Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP 2010)
- Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC)
- Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations in Early Learning (CSEFEL)
CDD-Approved CARES Plus Component A Training List and Contact Information
Component B
Component B focuses on higher education and is required for ALL CARES Plus participants who are working toward their associate or bachelor's degree.
Minimum Requirements:
This Component carries a minimum of 6 units per fiscal year (July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013), up to a maximum of 12 units.
Lower Division 8 Coursework
- Child Growth and Development
- Child, Family and Community
- Introduction to Curriculum
- Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children
- Observation and Assessment
- Health, Safety and Nutrition
- Teaching in a Diverse Society
- Practicum
Entry Track
- Participants must have completed at least 3 units in Early Childhood Education (ECE) core coursework prior to application.
- Participants will complete a minimum of 6 units in ECE core coursework during the program.
- Maximum of 9 ECE units in ECE core coursework will be accepted in one program year (July 1 – June 30).
- Stipend Amount - $300 per 3 unit course, up to a maximum stipend amount of $900
Permit Track
- Participants must have completed at least 9 units in ECE core coursework prior to application.
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Participants will complete a minimum of 6 units in ECE or General Education during the program year to work toward an Associate Teacher or higher level permit OR pursue an AA/AS degree in ECE. Individuals enrolled in a four-year college, working towards a BA/BS degree in ECE, can qualify for this track during their freshman or sophomore year.
- Participants will apply for Associate Teacher permit or higher.
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Stipend Amount - $500 per 3 unit course, up to a maximum stipend amount of $2,000.
Degree Track
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Must have attained an AA/AS Degree (or equivalent) in ECE (or closely related field) and be working toward a BA/BS degree in ECE (or closely related field), and have attained a junior/senior level status. Must currently be enrolled in a four-year college.
- Participants must hold, or apply for, a valid Teacher permit or higher.
- Participants will complete a minimum of 6 units in college coursework to work toward a bachelor's degree or higher in ECE or related field.
- Maximum of 12 units in college coursework will be accepted in one program year (July 1 – June 30).
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Stipend Amount - $750 per 3 unit course, up to a maximum stipend amount of $3,000.
Component C
This is the advising component which allows participants to provide advising to CARES Plus participants and help them develop their Professional Development Plans (PDPs). In order to become a Component C Advisor, participants must have a bachelor's degree and complete the CORE requirements prior to advising participants.
Minimum Requirements:
- B.A./B.S. degree in ECE or related field.
- Participate in 18 hours of approved professional development activities.
- Attend leadership trainings.
- Compose and implement an annual self-evaluation/Professional Development Plan (PDP).
- Function as an advisor with CARES Plus participants. Provide advising and mentoring support in the entry, permit and degree tracks of Component B.
- Center-Based CARES Plus Advisor – Must have a minimum of THREE consecutive years of early childhood experience.
- Family Child Care CARES Plus Advisor – Must have a minimum of FIVE consecutive years of experience as a licensed provider.
Component D
CARES Plus is offering an additional Component option in the 2012-2013 program year for returning participants only. This option is called Component D – My Teaching Partner (offered through Teachstone). My Teaching Partner is a supportive, year-long, one-on-one coaching program utilizing the CLASS Observation that is focused on helping teachers interact more effectively with children. MTP coaches will work closely with teachers to explore the teachers' interactions with children using video from their classrooms.
- Teachers will engage in ongoing, two-week coaching cycles throughout the program year. Teachers will spend approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours during each two-week cycle on MTP-related activities.
- Participants will be randomly selected.Component D is offered for Returning CARES Plus Participants only.
- Stipend Amount - Upon Completion of Component D $1,500 + May take a maximum of 6 units of Community College units for Max Stipend of $2,500 or 6 units of four-year College units for Max Stipend of $3,000.
