CDA Training Scholarships – POWER-ED
Wage supplements for approved CDA Training Scholarships recipients
Providing Our Workforce Essential Recognition for Educational Development (POWER-ED) is a program that distributes wage supplements to early childhood educators as they attain higher educational credentials utilizing DECAL Scholars programs. CDA Training Scholarships POWER-ED wage supplements are available to CDA Training Scholarships recipients.
Approved DECAL Scholars CDA Training Scholarships recipients can apply to receive $1,000 supplements for each 200-hour stage of obtaining their CDA, for up to 3 supplements of $1,000:
- Stage 1: 200 hours
120 clock hours of CDA training + first 80 hours of work experience - Stage 2: 200 additional hours
280 ongoing total hours of work experience - Stage 3: 200 additional hours
480 ongoing total hours of work experience + CDA credential earned from the CDA Council
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If you are a DECAL Scholars CDA Training Scholarships recipient, you may apply for CDA Training POWER-ED.
Am I eligible?
To qualify for our CDA Training Scholarships POWER-ED program, you must:
Be a current approved DECAL Scholars CDA Training Scholarships recipient
CDA Training Scholarships – POWER-ED
Frequently Asked Questions
Approved DECAL Scholars CDA Training Scholarships recipients can apply to receive $1,000 payments for each 200-hour stage of obtaining their CDA, for up to 3 payments of $1,000:
- Stage 1: 200 hours
120 clock hours of CDA training + first 80 hours of work experience - Stage 2: 200 additional hours
280 ongoing total hours of work experience - Stage 3: 200 additional hours
480 ongoing total hours of work experience + copy of CDA credential from the CDA Council
Yes, POWER-ED is considered taxable income. You will receive an IRS Form 1099 as required and must report the Incentives payment as income on your tax return.
Please contact a tax professional with any questions you have about how to report this on your taxes.
While not a college credential, the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is an entry-level credential that is widely recognized in the industry, issued by the Council for Professional Recognition.
Earning the CDA credential is a three-step process that requires:
- 120 clock hours of CDA training covering 8 subject areas
- Experience in the classroom and compiling a portfolio
- CDA Exam and verification visit by a Professional Development Specialist (PDS)
The CDA credential must be renewed every three years. Click here to visit the Council for Professional Recognition’s website for complete information.
Several technical colleges provide programs that allow for the transfer of CDA training into college credits, although the specific rules vary among institutions. To obtain more information on this opportunity, it is recommended to contact the early childhood education department at the technical college of your preference.
If you are an approved DECAL Scholars CDA Training Scholarships recipient and your POWER-ED application has been approved for each 200-hour stage, you can expect to receive $1,000 after each stage of obtaining your credential.
Once you have completed the entire process of earning your Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, you will not be able to apply to the CDA Training Scholarships POWER-ED program. The CDA Training Scholarships POWER-ED program is only for approved CDA Training Scholarships recipients that are in the process of earning their CDA credential, but have not completed the entire process yet.
If you have earned your CDA credential, you may be eligible for our Incentives program. Click here to learn more.