Early Childhood Workforce Incentives

Want to know if you qualify? Check the Opportunities section for the details on each incentive.

To get started, make sure your Early Childhood Workforce Registry (Registry) membership is up to date. Your account should include:

• Your legal name.
• Your current home address (please don’t use your work address).
• Your correct date of birth.
• The last five digits of your Social Security number (you can add or update this when you apply for your first incentive or stipend).
• A personal email address you can easily access.

Learn more about creating a Registry account.

To receive payments, you’ll need to set up an account in the State of ND Payee Portal. This will give you a Supplier ID#, which is the number used to send your payments.

When you apply, the system will check if you already have a Supplier ID#. If you don’t, you’ll get an email with step-by-step instructions sent to the email listed in your Registry account.

To set up your account, you’ll need to use:

• Your legal name.
• Your current address.
• Your Social Security number (the one tied to your tax information).

If your name, address, or payment details change, be sure to update your information. You can follow the instructions in the email you received or sign in to your account to make updates.

Your eligibility for some incentives depends on your employer. If they haven’t completed their monthly Registry Organization Profile review and confirmed your employment, you may not be able to apply.

Be sure to check in with your program director to make sure they’re receiving and completing the Organization Profile Review each month.

Important notes:

• Family and group providers need to have a verified organization account in the Registry for their business.
• They must also follow the same process described above.

Rewarding Your Commitment

This incentive rewards you for staying active and consistent in the Registry.

Who can apply

You can apply if you:

• Have a current Registry membership.
• Have stayed at the same Career Pathway level for at least 6 months.
• Work in an early childhood program.
• Work at least 15 hours each week.
• Have verified employment in:
  • A role where you work directly with children (excluding support staff like food service, bus driver, or substitute and backup staff).
  • A non-direct care professional staff (like a nurse or education coordinator).

When to apply

Applications open January 1–31 each year.

How much you can get

• Categories B–D: $250
• Categories E–J: $500

Log in to the Early Childhood Hub to apply.

Supporting Your Next Step

When you join the Registry, you’re placed on the Career Pathway based on your education and training. As you complete more training and move up to a higher category, you can request a review when you renew your membership.

This incentive rewards your most recent step forward on the Career Pathway. For example, if you move from Category B to C, and then from C to D, only your latest move (C to D) will count for this incentive.

Who can apply

You can apply if you:

• Have a current Registry membership.
• Have moved up to a new Career Pathway category.
• Work in an early childhood program.
• Work at least 15 hours each week.
• Have verified employment in:
  • A role where you work directly with children (excluding support staff like food service, bus driver, or substitute and backup staff).
  • A non-direct care professional staff (like a nurse or education coordinator).

When to apply

Applications open 4 times each year:

• January 1–31
• April 1–30
• July 1–31
• October 1–31

How much you can get

• Move to Category B: $625
• Move to Category C: $1,000
• Move to Category D: $1,000
• Move to Category E: $1,500
• Move to Category F: $1,500
• Move to Category G: $1,500
• Move to Category H: $2,000

Log in to the Early Childhood Hub to apply.

Reimbursing Your Learning Journey

This incentive helps cover training or coursework toward an early childhood credential or degree. You can apply multiple times—up to $5,000 total.

Find and apply: Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub to see eligible trainings and submit applications.

Eligible Trainings – $300 each

• ePyramid Preschool Module
• ePyramid Infant-Toddler Modules
• ePyramid Model for Family Child Care
• Child Care Business Leadership Training (Centers & Family Child Care) offered by Child Care Aware of ND
• SEEDS of Learning (ages 3–5, infants and toddlers) offered by Child Care Aware of ND
• Family Child Care Foundations offered by Child Care Aware of ND
• Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) for Early Childhood

Requirements:

• Current Registry membership
• Career Pathway: Category A or higher
• Work in an early childhood program at least 15 hours each week
• Verified employment in:
  • A role where you work directly with children (excluding support staff like food service, bus driver, or substitute and backup staff).
  • A non-direct care professional staff (like a nurse or education coordinator).
• Training pre-approved by Registry
• Training verified in Registry record
• Eligible training completed on or after July 1, 2025

Aim4Excellence Directors Credential – $300 per module (modules 1–9)

Requirements:

• Current Registry membership
• Career Pathway: Category A or higher
• Training verified in Registry record
• Complete eligible training within 36 months of application

Eligible College Coursework

Requirements:

• Current Registry membership
• Career Pathway: Category A or higher
• Complete each course within 6 months of application
• Grade of “C” or higher
• Make sure your college sends your official transcript directly to the Registry so your coursework can be verified.

Note: Only early childhood coursework counts. General education or other courses do not qualify.

Recognizing Your Professional Contributions

Who can apply

You can apply if you:

• Have a current Registry membership.
• Have a PD Specialist Certification verified in your Registry profile.
• Have completed a CDA verification visit in the last 30 days.

How much you can get

• $400 for each completed CDA verification visit

Important notes

• Upload the Verification Visit Result email from the Council for Professional Recognition. This shows your visit is complete and your payment is being processed.
• State employees and contracted vendors cannot get this incentive.

Log in to the Early Childhood Hub to apply.

Under what circumstances would I have to repay funds? 

• If there is an indication that a program or provider isn’t following agreed upon attestation, it could result in termination of future payments, repayment of funds already received and/or an audit. If you are found fraudulent in your application, you may have to pay the funds back.

How will I receive the Incentive funds?

• The funds will be sent by direct deposit or check, based on the option you choose when you set up your payment account, within 30 days of creating that account.

Should I save any records and for how long?

• It is recommended that you maintain all financial records for 7 years from the time you receive your award.

Are Workforce Incentives taxable and will I receive a form 1099 for tax purposes?

• Yes. Workforce incentives are considered income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and you will receive a form 1099. Please consult your accountant or tax professional to understand more about your tax situation.

Is the data in the provider application about funding awards public information?

• We will not use your confidential information for anything other than what’s necessary for the purpose of the funding as permitted by law.

How can I ensure that I receive the email communications related to the incentives?              

• Be sure the email in your Workforce Registry Account is current.
• Remember to use your personal email address.
• If you do not see the emails, please check your junk or spam folders or your all mail folder.

Why do I have to enter the last 5 digits of my social security number?

• Your social security number helps to verify your identity both within Workforce Registry system and with the IRS.

Follow these steps to apply for your incentives:

1. Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub.
2. In your account, click Workforce Incentives from the left menu.
3. Click the blue Apply button.
4. Review and update your information:
   • Make sure your personal and employment information is correct.
   • Click Edit to make changes, then Save and Confirm.
   • Your information should match your IRS tax records.
5. Click Manage under Workforce Incentives.
6. Select the incentive(s) you want to apply for:
   • Click Check Eligibility to see which incentives you can apply for.
   • If you’re not eligible, click View Eligibility Requirements for details.
7. After selecting your incentives, click Save and Confirm.
8. When all sections are complete and confirmed, click the blue Submit Application button.
9. Agree to the Terms and Conditions and click Continue.
10. Once submitted, you’ll see a confirmation message. You’ll also get emails with next steps to set up your payments through the State of North Dakota Payee Portal.

Tip: Track your progress by looking at the status icons (unconfirmed/confirmed, incomplete/complete) in each section.