IdahoSTARS Scholarships

Training Scholarships

IdahoSTARS Training Scholarships

Under the IdahoSTARS initiative, child care providers and/or directors can obtain financial assistance for training, workshops, conferences, and mentor/coach services in the following categories by completing the Training Scholarship Application:

• Individualized Projects: Mentors are available for short term projects. These include but are not limited to assistance with communication skills, leadership skills, developing a business plan for a child care facility, preparing for licensing, parent education, development of policies and procedures, and more.
• Accreditation Support: Mentor/Coaches offer guidance, counseling and resources to child care facilities seeking to obtain NAEYC and NAFCC accreditation. We are currently accepting applications for mentors wishing to work with providers as well as providers seeking mentorship. Information is available on our website: www.idahoaeyc.org under: Mentor/Coaches for Early Care and Education.
• Child Care Health Consultant Services: Child Care Health Consultants assist programs with developing policies and procedures for injury prevention, safe playgrounds, disease prevention, oral health, connecting to community services, sanitation, hand washing and diapering protocols, among other topics as requested.
• Program Environment Rating Scale Assessment: Reliable assessors use the Environment Rating Scales to observe and report on the environment, interaction, materials and curriculum of a child care setting. This assessment can be used by directors to develop an improvement plan for their facility with specific criteria for changes they choose to make.
• CDA Assessment: Mentor/Coaches can assist child care providers who have completed their Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) coursework/training to prepare for their facility assessment.
• GED Testing: Mentor/Coaches will work with providers requesting assistance to prepare for GED testing.

For more information contact:
IdahoSTARS Scholarship Office
(208) 345-1090 x18 or x21
or visit: www.idahoaeyc.org

Back to Top

Who is Eligible?

• Eligible scholarship applicants must be registered in the IdahoSTARS Professional Development System.
• Anyone who works directly with children in a Child Care Program and earns $15 or less per hour, and is employed 15 hours or more per week is eligible to receive scholarships for approved training, workshops, conferences, modules, and mentor services.

Back to Top

Scholarship Types

• Training, Workshops & Conferences: Approved training are listed online at the ITC Training Calendar.
• Modules: Child Development Associate Credential (CDA)
• Mentor Services: Available through the Mentors for Early Care and Education (M.E.C.E.) Program. Both center and family child care providers and directors can request a scholarship for the service of a qualified Mentor for a specific amount of time seeking one-on-one guidance with a variety of topics.
  • Under the IdahoSTARS initiative, child care providers and/or directors can obtain financial assistance for mentor services in the following categories:
    • Individualized Program:
      Mentors are available for short term projects. These include but are not limited to assistance with communication skills, leadership skills, developing a business plan for a child care facility, preparing for licensing, parent education, development of policies and procedures, and more.
    • Accreditation Program:
      Mentors offer guidance, counseling and resources to child care facilities seeking to obtain NAEYC and NAFCC accreditation. We are currently accepting applications for mentors wishing to work with providers as well as providers seeking mentorship. Information is available on our website: www.idahoaeyc.org under: Mentors for Early Care and Education.

      Back to Top

Applying for a Scholarship

To apply for a scholarship please download and fill out Training Scholarship Application and send to the Idaho IdahoSTARS scholarship office.

IdahoSTARS Scholarship Office
1471 Shoreline Dr.
Suite 202
Boise, ID 83702

After you complete a training that you received a scholarship for, please fill out an Action Plan (below) or printed copies may be requested by dialing the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine or 1-800-926-2588. Click here to complete the Action Plan online.

Back to Top

Academic Scholarships

Academic scholarships are offered to increase the level of education of early childhood caregivers working with young children while making the educational process more affordable, increasing wages, and reducing staff turnover. Apprenticeship applicants complete the Academic Scholarship Application form also.

Idaho Quality Child Care Apprenticeship Program:
A 2-year structured mentoring relationship for the child care provider working 25 or more hrs/wk in a licensed child care facility. The provider must be pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. This is a nationally recognized program that supports wage increases with increased education and experience.

IdahoSTARS academic scholarships are a valuable tool for assisting the early childhood professional to move from one level on the IdahoSTARS Career Pathway to the next level.

Academic scholarships pay for tuition for early childhood courses toward a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), Associate Degree or Bachelor' Degree in early childhood.

Academic scholarships consist of a partnership between IdahoSTARS, the scholarship recipient, and the sponsoring child care center or home where the scholarship recipient works. Each party shares in the cost of the scholarship.

The IdahoSTARS Academic Scholarship provides:

• 100% of the cost for tuition paid by IdahoSTARS.
• 100% of the cost of books paid by the employee/scholarship recipient
• Release time is provided by the sponsoring program enabling the scholarship recipient to attend class or study during work hours (80 hrs/year, 2 hrs a week recommended, at the rate of the scholar's wage).
• A 2% pay increase above and beyond normal raises in the program, upon successful completion of one contract year, provided by the sponsoring program/employer
• The employee/scholarship recipient must work at the sponsoring program one year prior to application for an academic scholarship.
• Academic counseling and administrative support.

For more information contact:
IdahoSTARS Scholarship Office
(208) 345-1090 x18
or visit: www.idahoaeyc.org

Back to Top

Who is Eligible?

• Anyone who works directly with children in a Child Care Program and earns $15 or less per hour, and is employed 25 hours or more per week is eligible to receive academic scholarships as well as scholarships for approved training, workshops, conferences, modules, and mentor services.

Back to Top

Scholarship Types

• Academic Scholarships and Apprenticeships: Academic Scholarships and Apprenticeship programs are available for both center and family child care providers and directors who need financial assistance while earning a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), Associate or Bachelor degree in Early Childhood.
  
  • Idaho Quality Child Care Apprenticeship Program:
    A 2-year structured mentoring relationship for the child care provider working 25 or more hrs/wk in a licensed child care facility. The provider must be pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. This is a nationally recognized program that supports wage increases with increased education and experience.
  • Early Childhood Scholarships for Early Childhood Certificates and Degrees offered in Idaho:
    • North Idaho College
      CDA, A.A., and A.S. Degree
    • University of Idaho
      B.A. and B.A.S. Degree
    • Lewis-Clark State College
      Technical Certificate, Advanced Technical Certificate, A.A.S.
    • Boise State University
      CDA, Technical Certificate, Adv.Technical Certificate, A.A.S.
    • College of Southern Idaho
      Post secondary Certificate, Technical Certificate, A.A.S.
    • Idaho State University
      CDA, Technical Certificate, A.A.S., BA.

Back to Top

Applying for a Scholarship

To apply for a scholarship please download and fill out Academic Scholarship Application and send to the Idaho IdahoSTARS scholarship office.

IdahoSTARS Scholarship Office
1471 Shoreline Dr.
Suite 202
Boise, ID 83702

Back to Top