(a) General Provisions - (i) Participant Eligibility
- (A) An eligible participant is:
- (I) An owner(s), staff member, and/or contracted professional working for a minimum of fifteen (15) hours per week in a child care facility as defined in W.S. § 14-4-101(a)(vi)(D) or (K);
- (II) In good standing with the WY Quality Counts! Educational Development Program; and
- (III) In good standing with the Workforce Development Training Fund (WDTF) Program.
- (ii) Eligible Coursework
- (A) Coursework that applies to the any of the following is eligible:
- (I) Associates of Arts/Sciences/Applied Sciences in Early Childhood Education from a Wyoming Community College;
- (II) Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with Birth-to-Eight Early Childhood Endorsement from the University of Wyoming;
- (III) Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences/Child Development Option from the University of Wyoming;
- (IV) Degree/endorsements from other states comparable in educational requirements to the above from an accredited institution as defined by the Wyoming Department of Education; or
- (V) Post-Graduate Birth-to-Eight Early Childhood Endorsement from the University of Wyoming.
- (VI) Post-Graduate Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate from the University of Wyoming.
- (VII) Post-Graduate Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement from the University of Wyoming.
- (B) Coursework or activities that apply to the:
- (I) Registered Apprenticeship Program for Child Care Development Specialists, or
- (II) Child Development Associate (CDA) credential administered by the Council for Professional Recognition.
- (C) Remedial education classes required to enter eligible training in subsection (a)(ii)(A) and (a)(ii)(B) of this section.
(b) Types of Training - (i) Remedial Education, Associate Degrees, Bachelor Degrees and Post-Graduate Endorsements
- (A) Scholarship Program Limitations. The scholarship participant shall:
- (I) Be eligible for a maximum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per semester, and
- (II) Receive assistance for a maximum of one hundred fifty (150) credit hours in a lifetime.
- (B) Participant Requirements. The participant shall:
- (I) Enter into a contract with DWS for each semester;
- (II) Be officially enrolled in the educational institution for a minimum of one (1) credit hour per semester;
- (III) Maintain continuous enrollment during the duration of the program;
- (IV) Maintain a "2.0" or higher grade point average; and
- (V) Remain in good standing with both the formal educational institution and the WY Quality Counts! Educational Development Program.
- (C) Allowable Training Costs. The following costs shall be allowed:
- (D) Application and Reporting Requirements. The scholarship participant shall:
- (I) Complete and submit an official DWS application:
- (1.) Prior to the beginning of the semester of the formal education program, and
- (2.) Beginning in 2008, at least forty-five (45) days prior and not more than one hundred ten (110) days prior to the beginning of each semester of the formal educational program;
- (II) Submit proof of approval of the coursework by the scholarship participant's academic advisor with the application;
- (III) Provide proof of enrollment no later than forty-five (45) days after the beginning of each semester;
- (IV) Complete and submit a DWS-recognized training evaluation form no later than forty-five (45) days after completion of one semester's coursework per academic year;
- (V) Provide proof of grades and good standing with the educational institution no later than forty-five (45) days from the time the information is available at the end of each semester; and
- (VI) Agree to the repayment and mandatory employment requirements.
- (E) Contract and Payment
- (I) If the scholarship program application is approved and funds are available, DWS shall enter into a contract with the approved scholarship participant each semester.
- (II) Scholarship funds shall be paid directly to the educational institution.
- (F) Mandatory Employment Requirements
- (I) The scholarship participant shall agree to work for or contract with a child care facility as defined in Section 3(b) above for a mandatory employment period after receiving the certificate, endorsement or degree from the approved formal education program.
- (II) The mandatory employment period shall be:
- (1.) One thousand (1,000) hours of employment for an Associates Degree which shall be completed within eighteen (18) months after receiving the degree from the approved formal education program;
- (2.) Two thousand (2,000) hours of employment for a Bachelor's Degree which shall be completed within twenty-four (24) months after receiving the degree from the approved formal education program; and
- (3.) Seven hundred-fifty (750) hours of employment for a Post-Graduate Endorsement which shall be completed within twelve (12) months after receiving the degree from the approved formal education program.
- (III) The mandatory employment period shall begin:
- (1.) The month immediately after receiving the degree or endorsement from the approved formal education program; or
- (2.) When the child care facility is closed during the summer, the first day the child care facility reopens in the fall.
- (IV) When the participant is laid off due to lack of work, the scholarship participant shall obtain employment with another child care facility as defined in Section 3(b) and complete any remaining mandatory employment period hours.
- (G) Termination from the Scholarship Program. The scholarship participant shall be terminated from the scholarship program if the participant, during the program, fails to:
- (II) Remain in good standing with the formal educational institution and the WY Quality Counts! Educational Development Program;
- (III) Meet the grade level requirements;
- (IV) Provide verification documents on time; or
- (V) Meet the mandatory employment requirements.
- (H) Repayment Requirements
- (I) Any scholarship participant who is terminated from the scholarship program may submit a Waiver of Repayment as defined in Section 7. , or, shall repay to DWS that portion of funds that were paid to the educational institution on his/her behalf for expenses accruing during or after the semester in which the recipient breached the contract, including attorney fees and costs incurred in collection. The repayment shall be made, or a repayment agreement shall be signed, within thirty (30) days of the date on which the scholarship participant receives notice of termination from the program from DWS.
- (II) Failure to repay scholarship funds as requested shall result in:
- (1.) Referral of the case to the Attorney General for appropriate legal action, and
- (2.) The participant being placed on the list of individuals who are not in good standing with the WY Quality Counts! Educational Development Program.
- (ii) Apprenticeship Program for Child Care Development Specialists
- (A) Apprenticeship Program Limitations. The apprenticeship participant shall be eligible for one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) annually, for a maximum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) in funding for the apprenticeship program.
- (B) Participant Requirements. The participant shall:
- (I) Enter into a contract with DWS for the duration of the program;
- (II) Be officially enrolled in:
- (1.) The registered apprenticeship program for Child Care Development Specialists, and
- (2.) The formal educational institution;
- (III) Maintain continuous enrollment through the duration of the contract;
- (IV) Maintain a "2.0" or higher grade point average; and
- (V) Remain in good standing with both the apprenticeship program and the WY Quality Counts! Educational Development Program.
- (C) Allowable Training Costs. The following costs shall be allowed:
- (D) Application and Reporting Requirements. The apprenticeship participant shall:
- (I) Complete and submit an official DWS application:
- (1.) Prior to the beginning of the apprenticeship program, and
- (2.) Beginning in 2008, at least forty-five (45) days prior and not more than one hundred ten (110) days prior to the beginning of the apprenticeship program;
- (II) Submit proof of approval of the coursework by the apprenticeship participant's advisor with the application;
- (III) Provide proof of enrollment no later than forty-five (45) days after the beginning of the apprenticeship program;
- (IV) Complete and submit a DWS-recognized training evaluation form no later than forty-five (45) days after completion of the apprenticeship program;
- (V) Provide proof of grades and good standing with the educational institution no later than forty-five (45) days from the time the information is available at the end of each semester; and
- (VI) Agree to the repayment and mandatory employment requirements.
- (E) Contract and Payment
- (I) If the apprenticeship application is approved and funds are available, DWS shall enter into a contract with the approved apprenticeship participant for the length of the program.
- (II) Apprenticeship program funds shall be paid directly to the educational institution.
- (F) Mandatory Employment Requirements
- (I) The apprenticeship participant shall agree to work for a child care facility as defined in Section 3(b) above for a mandatory employment period upon completion of the apprenticeship program.
- (II) The mandatory employment period shall be one thousand (1,000) hours of employment which shall be completed within twelve (12) months.
- (III) The mandatory employment period shall begin:
- (1.) The month immediately after the apprenticeship program has been completed, or
- (2.) When the child care facility is closed during the summer, the first day the child care facility reopens in the fall.
- (IV) When the participant is laid off due to lack of work, the apprenticeship participant shall obtain employment with another child care facility as defined in Section 3(b) above and complete any remaining mandatory employment period hours.
- (G) Termination from the Apprenticeship Program. The apprenticeship participant shall be terminated from the apprenticeship program if the participant, during the program, fails to:
- (II) Remain in good standing with the formal educational institution and the WY Quality Counts! Educational Development Program;
- (III) Meet the grade level requirements;
- (IV) Provide verification documents on time; or
- (V) Meet the mandatory employment requirements.
- (H) Repayment Requirements
- (I) Any scholarship participant who is noncompliant with and/or terminated from the scholarship program may submit a Waiver of Repayment as defined in Section 7. , or, shall repay to DWS that portion of funds that were paid to the educational institution on his/her behalf for expenses accruing during or after the semester in which the recipient breached the contract, including attorney fees and costs incurred in collection. The repayment shall be made, or a repayment agreement shall be signed, within thirty (30) days of the date on which the scholarship participant receives notice of termination from the program from DWS.
- (II) Failure to repay apprenticeship funds as requested shall result in:
- (1.) Referral of the case to the Attorney General for appropriate legal action, and
- (2.) The participant being placed on the list of individuals who are not in good standing with the WY Quality Counts! Educational Development Program.
- (iii) Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate
- (A) CDA Program Requirements
- (I) The CDA may be obtained through any setting that meets the standards of the Council for Professional Recognition and is approved by DWS.
- (II) An approved CDA program shall consist of one of the following:
- (1.) Advisor services and the coursework provided on a community basis;
- (2.) Advisor services provided to individuals taking coursework through a Wyoming Community College; or
- (3.) Advisor services provided to individuals who are independently taking the coursework.
- (B) CDA Program Limitations
- (I) The CDA participant shall be eligible for a maximum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) for allowable costs.
- (II) The cost for an instructor shall not exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000) per CDA program.
- (III) The CDA program shall fund:
- (1.) The initial CDA certificate;
- (2.) Renewal of the CDA certificate; and
- (3.) Second setting CDA certificates, if required by the child care facility.
- (C) Participant Requirements. The participant shall:
- (I) Enter into a contract with DWS for the duration of the CDA program;
- (II) Be officially enrolled in a DWS approved CDA program;
- (III) Maintain continuous enrollment during the program;
- (IV) Achieve satisfactory performance; and
- (V) Remain in good standing with both the approved CDA program and the WY Quality Counts! Educational Development Program.
- (D) Allowable Costs
- (I) The following training costs shall be allowed:
- (II) The child care facility's administration costs which include bookkeeping, reporting and record keeping, shall be allowed, but shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the total training costs.
- (E) CDA Contractor Application. Entities who wish to provide or support a CDA program shall complete and submit an official DWS contractor application at least forty-five (45) days prior and not more than one hundred ten (110) days prior to the beginning of the CDA program.
- (F) CDA Contractor Contract and Payment
- (I) If the contractor application is approved and funds are available, DWS shall enter into a contract with the approved CDA contractor.
- (II) The funds shall be paid directly to the entity that provides:
- (1.) Advising services, and/or
- (2.) Approved coursework.
- (G) Participant Application and Reporting Requirements. The CDA participant shall:
- (I) Complete and submit an official DWS application:
- (1.) Prior to the beginning of the CDA program, and
- (2.) Beginning in 2008, at least forty-five (45) days prior and not more than one hundred ten (110) days prior to the beginning of the CDA program;
- (II) Submit proof of approval and acceptance into a DWS approved CDA program with the application;
- (III) Complete and submit a DWS-recognized training evaluation form no later than forty-five (45) days after completion of the coursework;
- (IV) Provide proof of completion and a copy of the CDA certificate no later than forty-five (45) days from the time the information is available; and
- (V) Agree to the repayment and mandatory employment requirements.
- (H) Mandatory Employment Requirements
- (I) The CDA participant shall agree to work for a child care facility as defined in Section 3(b) above for a mandatory employment period upon completion of the approved CDA program.
- (II) The mandatory employment period shall be five hundred (500) hours of employment for each CDA certificate, CDA certificate renewal or second setting certificate provided through the CDA program, and shall be completed within twelve (12) months.
- (III) The mandatory employment shall begin:
- (1.) The month immediately after completion of the CDA certificate course work, or
- (2.) When the child care facility is closed during the summer, the first day the child care facility reopens in the fall.
- (IV) When the participant is laid off due to lack of work, the CDA participant shall obtain employment with another child care facility as defined in Section 3(b) and complete any remaining mandatory employment period hours.
- (I) Termination from the CDA Program. The CDA participant shall be terminated from the CDA program if the participant, during the program, fails to:
- (II) Remain in good standing with the CDA program and the WY Quality Counts! Educational Development Program;
- (III) Meet performance requirements;
- (IV) Provide verification documents on time;
- (V) Successfully obtain the CDA certificate; or
- (VI) Meet the mandatory employment requirements.
- (J) Participant Repayment Requirements
- (I) Any CDA participant who is noncompliant with and/or terminated from the CDA program may submit a Waiver of Repayment as defined in Section 7. , or, shall repay to DWS the following funds that were paid to the CDA program on his/her behalf during the program, including attorney fees and costs incurred in collection. The repayment shall be made, or a repayment agreement shall be signed, within thirty (30) days of the date on which the CDA participant receives notice of termination from the program from DWS including:
- (II) Failure to repay CDA funds as requested shall result in:
- (1.) Referral of the case to the Attorney General for appropriate legal action, and
- (2.) The participant being placed on the list of individuals who are not in good standing with the WY Quality Counts! Educational Development Program.
- (K) CDA Contractor Requirements. The CDA Contractor shall submit an official DWS final report form within ninety (90) days after completion of the CDA program that provides documentation of the following for each participant:
- (I) Satisfactory completion of training;
- (II) Completion of a DWS-recognized training evaluation form; and
- (III) Completion and receipt of the CDA certificate.
- (L) CDA Contractor Repayment Requirements
- (I) Failure to submit a final report within ninety (90) days shall result in the CDA contractor being placed on the list of CDA program contractors that are not in good standing with the WY Quality Counts! Educational Development Program.
- (II) Any CDA Contractor that fails to meet the contract requirements of the CDA program shall repay to DWS all funds that were paid to them during the program, including attorney fees and costs incurred in collection. The repayment shall be made, or a repayment agreement shall be signed, within thirty (30) days of the date on which the CDA contractor receives notice of termination from the program from DWS.
- (III) Failure to repay CDA funds as requested shall result in:
- (1.) Referral of the case to the Attorney General for appropriate legal action, and
- (2.) The contractor being placed on the list of individuals who are not in good standing with the WY Quality Counts! Educational Development Program.