SDQPI Stipend

Overview

Stipend Intent: The SDQPI Stipend supports continuous quality improvement and professional growth in early learning and care (ELC) settings such as center-based programs, Family Child Care (FCC) providers, and Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) providers. Recognizing that these efforts often require time beyond the typical workday, this stipend is designed to acknowledge and promote additional time ELC workforce members invest in strengthening program quality and advancing their professional development.

Equitable Access: Transitional kindergarten (TK) and special education staff employed by school districts are not eligible for this stipend. These roles are part of a publicly funded education system that typically has greater access to resources than infants, toddlers, and preschool programs. Additionally, an annual salary cap of $97,861.45 will be applied per provider, based on the San Diego County Self-Sufficiency Standard. These determinations promote equitable distribution of stipend funds across the SDQPI workforce.

Participation in the SDQPI Stipend Program: All staff employed in an eligible role at an SDQPI participating site whose information has been entered into their agency's SDQPI Data System (Vertical Change) account by Nov. 20, 2026, will be automatically enrolled in the SDQPI Stipend Program.

Stipend Calculations: The stipend amount will be the same for all eligible participants and will be established in the fourth quarter of the program year, based on the total number of eligible participants. Only one stipend will be awarded per participant.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the SDQPI Stipend, applicants must:

Be actively employed in an eligible role at an SDQPI participant program through April 30 of the program year.
- An individual is considered actively employed if they are consistently working, directly with children and/or families, daily during the period of their employment.
Be actively involved in quality improvement efforts and coaching
Complete all required tasks
Provide a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) on the W-9 form
Serve in at least one of the approved or eligible roles.
- Eligible staff must be employed at an SDQPI participating site and actively contribute to the care, education, supervision, and continuous quality improvement of enrolled children and families. Eligibility may be subject to additional quality parameters and verification processes.

Eligible Roles

Teacher / Lead Teacher / Co-Teacher (Center-Based Programs and Family Child Care Homes)
Assistant Teacher / Instructional Assistant (Center-Based Programs and Family Child Care Homes)
Assistant Site Leader (one per site at locations operating five or more sessions) (Center-Based Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care)
Floater (one per site)(Center-Based Programs only) (must work ≥ 20 hours per week)
Site Leader (one per site) (Center-Based Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care)

Non-Eligible Roles

Substitutes
Home Visitors
Cafeteria Staff
Administrative Assistants
Maintenance and Operations Staff

QUALITY PARAMETERS

Quality parameters are established to ensure stipend funds support workforce members actively contributing to high-quality early learning and care environments. Quality parameters may include, but are not limited to:

Active Employment

Consistently employed and actively working through April 30 of the program year.
Regularly engaged in direct services with children and/or families, managing day-to-day operations.
Individuals who are no longer actively employed in an eligible role before April 30 of the program year are not eligible.

Adult-to-Child Ratio

Assistants and floaters must be actively utilized to support adult-to-child ratios.
Programs may be required to verify staffing assignments and schedules.

Children Enrollment

Programs must maintain active enrollment and fulfill contractual requirements.
Programs may be required to share evidence of ongoing enrollment.

Hours of Operation

Eligible programs and staff must provide daily and ongoing services to children consistent with their operating schedule.

Employment Verification

Employment status, role designation, and program participation must be verified through Vertical Change and the Stipend Reports.
Agencies are responsible for ensuring all data, including program and staffing information in Vertical Change, is accurate and current.

Data Submittal

Quarterly Data must be submitted on time for agency staff to qualify for stipend eligibility.

Required Tasks for ALL Stipend participants

Participating programs and staff are provided with opportunities to verify, update, and correct required information within the designated timelines.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The SDQPI Stipend is an incentive program and is not an entitlement. Eligibility is contingent upon completion of all required tasks, compliance with established quality parameters, verification of active employment and role eligibility, and timely submission of required individual and agency-level data. Because eligibility depends on both individual and programming requirements, applicants are encouraged to complete all requirements as early as possible and work closely with site and agency leadership to ensure information is submitted accurately and on time.

1. SDQPI Stipend Participation

All staff employed in an eligible role at an SDQPI participating site whose information has been entered into their agency's SDQPI Data System (Vertical Change) account by Nov. 20, 2026, will be automatically enrolled in the SDQPI Stipend Program.
Participating programs will have an opportunity to review, update, and correct staff information in Vertical Change through Dec. 18, 2026.
To ensure accurate eligibility determinations and compliance with funding requirements, all required staff and program data must be submitted by the published deadlines. Information submitted after the correction period will impact stipend eligibility.

Please note that if a program does not submit the required information by the established deadlines, staff at that program will not be eligible to receive a stipend, even if the delay is outside of their control. These timelines must be consistently maintained to meet funding and contractual requirements.

To review your stipend status, including your participating site, eligible role, completed tasks, and remaining requirements, please use the following: SDQPI PL and Stipend Status Tool [link coming soon].

If your employment information is missing or incorrect, please contact your site administrator or designated data contact, as they are responsible for entering and maintaining participant information in Vertical Change.

2. Completed W-9 Form by, Nov. 20, 2026

If you previously participated in the SDQPI Stipend Program and successfully submitted a W-9 form, you do not need to submit a new W-9 form unless you have moved or changed your name since Dec. 2025.
Use the SDQPI PL and Stipend Status Tool [link coming soon] to verify whether a valid W-9 form is on file or if a W-9 form is required.
Access the W-9 Adobe Sign form: W-9 Adobe Sign Form in English | W-9 Adobe Sign Form in Spanish
- Please note that W-9 forms will only be accepted through the Adobe Sign process.
- Once the Adobe Sign W-9 form is completed and submitted, SDQPI automatically receives a copy of the completed form. No additional email submission is required.

If you move or change your name after submitting your W-9 Form, you must complete a new W-9 Adobe Sign form. Please also notify the SDQPI Stipend Team by email at SDQPIstipend@sdcoe.net.

We also recommend arranging USPS mail forwarding to ensure you receive any mailed correspondence without delay.

3. Attend your Site QIP Development Session/Orientation, by Nov. 20, 2026

Each site will collaborate with their SDQPI coach to schedule a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) development session. During this session, site leadership and teaching staff will work together to identify a QIP goal that aligns with the Quality Counts California (QCC) Framework. This collaborative approach ensures that all site staff contribute to the goal-setting process and are engaged in selecting targeted areas for growth. The session also provides an opportunity to learn about upcoming training aligned to the selected goal, fostering a shared understanding and commitment to quality improvement.

4. Complete the Training/Education Requirement, by April 30, 2027

Participants must complete four hours of approved training and/or college coursework aligned with their QIP between May 1, 2026, and April 30, 2027, to meet the training/education requirement.

Below are a list of approved training and education activities and submission requirements.

Automatically Verified (No Submission Required)

Requires Submission of Documentation

The following activities must be submitted using the Document Submission Form. Submission through the Document Submission Form is required for credit. Documentation submitted by email or through any other method will not be accepted.

Transcripts showing successful college coursework completion from an accredited college or university (if the course is relevant to your professional growth in early childhood education).
California Early Childhood Online (CECO): Certificates of completion.
WestEd: Certificates of completion.
YMCA CRS: Certificates of completion.
SDCOE UPK (EETD/IEEEP/P-3): Certificates of completion.

Please note: Only the approved activities listed above will be accepted. Activities from other sources will not be accepted.

To review your stipend status, including completed tasks, and remaining requirements, please use the following link: SDQPI PL and Stipend Status Tool [link coming soon]. Please allow up to three weeks for our team to process your submission.

5. Complete the Participation Survey, by April 30, 2027

Participant Acknowledgements

SDQPI Stipend Program Participants Acknowledge the Following

SDQPI Stipend Program Participants Acknowledge the Following

Eligibility requires completion of all requirements, verifications, and any necessary corrections by the deadlines listed. Due to funding and contractual requirements, deadlines cannot be extended.

By participating in the SDQPI Stipend Program, participants acknowledge the following:

Participants are responsible for reviewing the SDQPI Stipend website for current eligibility requirements, required tasks, deadlines, and program updates. To remain eligible for the stipend and meet funding and contract requirements, participants must complete and submit all required tasks within the designated timeframes.
Participants are responsible for regularly checking the email address and phone number associated with their program participation information to receive stipend-related communications and updates.
Only training and/or education activities from approved sources listed on the program website will be accepted.
Stipend amount will be the same for all eligible applicants and will be established within the fourth quarter of the program year, based on the total number of eligible participants. One stipend will be allocated per person/participant.
To ensure equitable distribution of stipend funds across San Diego County workforce, Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and special education staff employed by school districts are not eligible for the stipend. Additionally, an annual salary cap of $97,861.45 will be applied per provider, based on the San Diego County Self-Sufficiency Standard.
Site staff eligibility depends on the timely submission of required agency-level data, including employment and demographic information. If an agency fails to submit this data on time, staff will not be eligible to receive a stipend, even if the delay is beyond their control.
Participants may contact the SDQPI Stipend Team at SDQPIstipend@sdcoe.net with questions or concerns.

FAQ

Application Process

Do I need to complete an application?

No, individual applications are no longer required for the SDQPI Stipend Program.

How do I know if I am participating in the SDQPI Stipend Program?

Staff working at an eligible SDQPI Stipend participating site whose information has been uploaded into the site’s SDQPI data system, known as Vertical Change, and who are currently employed in an eligible role will automatically be included in the SDQPI Stipend Program.

How can I verify that my information is included?

Use the SDQPI PL and Stipend Status Tool [link coming soon] to review your participation information.

If your information is missing or incorrect, please contact your site administrator or designated data contact, as they are responsible for maintaining participant information in the SDQPI data system called Vertical Change.

How do I check my stipend status?

Please use the following link to review your stipend status: SDQPI PL and Stipend Status Tool [link coming soon]. After entering the required information, a summary of your stipend status will be sent to the email address provided.

How will I receive updates or important information about the stipend program?

Participants will receive program communications and updates through email.

Which email address is used for SDQPI communications?

SDQPI communications are sent to the email address associated with your participant information in Vertical Change.

How do I know which email address is in Vertical Change?

Please contact your site administrator or designated data contact to verify the email address associated with your participant information in Vertical Change.

What is the timeline for receiving notification of approval or denial of the stipend?

Once all required task deadlines have passed, the stipend team will review the completion of all tasks and the availability of funds. Notifications will be emailed approximately 60 days after the final task deadline.

SDQPI PL and Stipend Status Tool

What is the SDQPI PL and Stipend Status Tool?

The SDQPI Professional Learning (PL) and Stipend Status Tool allows participants to review their current stipend status, including:

Participating site
Eligible role
W-9 status
QIP development/orientation requirement
Training/education requirement
Participation survey
Overall eligibility status

How do I use the SDQPI PL and Stipend Status Tool?

To access your status information, enter the required information on the SDQPI PL and Stipend Status Tool. A summary of your status will be sent to the email address you provide.

What information do I need to use the SDQPI PL and Stipend Status Tool?

You will need your:

SDQPI ID Number
Email address
First name

Where can I find my SDQPI ID Number?

Your SDQPI ID Number is included in an email sent from earlyed.ta@sdcoe.net to the email address associated with your participant information in Vertical Change. If you cannot locate your SDQPI ID Number, please check your email inbox and spam/junk folder. If you still cannot find it, please contact your site administrator or designated data contact.

How do I know which email address is in Vertical Change?

Please contact your site administrator or designated data contact to verify the email address associated with your participant information in Vertical Change.

I am a new participant. How do I get an SDQPI ID Number?

New participants should contact earlyed.ta@sdcoe.net to request an SDQPI ID number.

Training and/or Education Requirement

What activities may be used to meet the training/education requirement?

Participants may complete approved training and/or college coursework from the sources listed under Required Tasks. Only approved activities will be accepted.

Does taking college courses meet the training/education requirement?

Yes. College coursework from an accredited college or university may be used to meet the training/education requirement if it is relevant to your professional growth in early childhood education, is in alignment with the site QIP, and completed within the required timeframe.

How do I submit certificates or transcripts for review?

Documentation for approved activities that require verification, such as college coursework, CECO, WestEd, YMCA CRS, and SDCOE UPK, must be submitted using the Document Submission Form.

Please allow sufficient time for review and verification before the deadline.

How do I know if I completed the training/education requirement?

Use the SDQPI PL and Stipend Status Tool [link coming soon] to review your stipend status.

After entering the required information, a summary will be sent to the email address you provide. The summary will indicate whether the training/education requirement has been met.

Please allow up to three weeks for submitted documentation to be reviewed and reflected in your stipend status.

Stipend Eligibility

Do I need to be actively employed throughout the program year?

Yes. To be eligible for the SDQPI Stipend, you must be actively employed in an eligible role at an SDQPI participating program through April 30 of the program year.

Am I eligible for the stipend if I go on leave during the year?

To be eligible for the SDQPI Stipend, participants must remain actively employed in an eligible role through April 30 of the program year. Extended leave will affect stipend eligibility.

What does “active employment” mean for SDQPI stipend eligibility?

Active employment means providing regular, ongoing direct services to children and/or families and being consistently engaged in quality improvement efforts during their period of employment. This includes daily engagement in work that supports children, families, and site quality improvement activities.

What situations do not count as active employment?

Active employment does not include: Sporadic, substitute, or on-call work that does not occur consistently each day, periods of extended leave, and temporary reassignment that removes the individual from direct service to children and families and/or quality improvement efforts.

Can I receive more than one SDQPI Stipend if I have multiple roles or work at multiple SDQPI participating sites?

No. Participants are eligible to receive only one SDQPI Stipend per program year, regardless of the number of eligible roles they hold or the number of SDQPI participating sites where they work. The stipend amount is the same for all eligible participants.

Would a Site Administrator be eligible to receive a stipend if some of their staff members do not complete the required training/education activities?

Yes, the site administrator could receive a stipend if some of their staff do not complete the required training/education activities. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the participants to attend the required training, with the support of their site administrator.

W-9 Form Submission

Who needs to submit a W-9 Form?

A new W-9 form is required if:

You are a new participant in the SDQPI Stipend Program.
You have moved or changed your name since Dec. 2025.

If you previously participated in the SDQPI Stipend Program and successfully submitted a W-9 form, you do not need to submit a new one unless one of the situations above applies.

How do I know if you received my W-9 Form?

Use the SDQPI PL and Stipend Status Tool [link coming soon] to determine whether a valid W-9 form is on file or if a W-9 form is required.

After entering the required information, a summary of your stipend status will be sent to the email address you provide.

Employment Verification

How do I update my employment and how do I know if my employment was verified?

Employment is verified using information entered into the SDQPI data system known as Vertical Change by the participating program.

To review the employment and participation information currently on file, use the SDQPI PL and Stipend Status Tool [link coming soon]. After entering the required information, a summary will be sent to the email address you provide.

Who is responsible for updating employment information in Vertical Change?

Only the administrative staff/data contact at your Center or FCC can enter and maintain employment information in Vertical Change.

What should a site’s administrative staff or data contact do if they have questions about using Vertical Change?

If and administrative staff or data contact has questions about adding staff, updating roles, or making changes in Vertical Change they should contact their assigned Technical Assistant (TA). If they are unsure who their assigned TA is, they can email the SDQPI Stipend Team at SDQPIstipend@sdcoe.net for assistance.

STIPEND SUPPORT AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For more information, please use the following resources.

SDQPI PL and Stipend Status Tool [link coming soon]: Review your participation status, participating site, eligible role, completed requirements, and remaining stipend requirements.
Contact the SDQPI Stipend Team via email at: SDQPIstipend@sdcoe.net

Workforce Advisement Support

Thanks to the Quality Counts California (QCC) Workforce Pathway Grant, early learning and care educators have access to Workforce Advisement support including Office Hours, pathway pointers, and professional growth guidance.

Learn more on the Workforce Advisement webpage.

Stay Connected

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