Workforce Retention Stipend

The Workforce Retention Stipend is aimed at stabilizing the Early Childhood workforce and retaining staff in licensed childcare settings. Individual childcare workers may be eligible to receive a quarterly stipend for a period of up to 18-months or until the individual maximum award amount of $3600 is reached. Individuals must apply every quarter to receive the stipend.

Eligibility Requirements

• Current membership in Growing Futures
• Completion of the 15-hours Getting Started (basic child care) course
• Child care business (your employer) is currently licensed by HHS and has a registered organization account with the Growing Futures Registry.
• Child care business (your employer) has verified your employment, start/end date, hours per week, and position within the previous thirty (30) days via the Organization Profile Review.
  • NOTE: Family and group providers must also complete this process by having a registered organization account for their business in the Growing Futures Registry, and verifying themselves as an employee of the organization via the monthly Organization Profile Review.
• Individual’s start date of employment is at least 90 days in the past.
• Individual worked at least 15-hours per week in the previous 90 days. All hours must have been completed with one employer.
• Individual was employed in a direct care position: director, assistant director, teacher, assistant teacher, and family/group providers.
  • Non-direct care positions (cook, bus driver, substitutes, office staff, etc.) and household members are not eligible for this stipend.

Incentive Categories

• 15-19 hours of continuous employment in the previous 90 days = $150
• 20-30 hours of continuous employment in the previous 90 days = $300
• 31-40 hours (or more) of continuous employment in the previous 90 days = $600

Important Notes

• If you work for more than one licensed child care program, you are eligible to receive the Early Childhood Workforce Retention Stipend for only ONE licensed program. 
  • If you have two open employments that started at least 90 days ago with two different organizations, they both show as eligible, but you will only be able select one in the application. Remember the stipends are based on tiers related to the number of hours you work in a program.
• If your hours have changed, you are eligible for the Workforce Retention Stipend if your current position is a direct care position and you are working a minimum of 15 hours.
  • Make sure your employment in your Growing Futures membership account is up to date. If your employment is verified and you need assistance editing your information due to inaccuracy, have your employer email Growing Futures with the hour adjustment.

Questions? Contact Us

Early Childhood

600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 325
Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-2115
Toll-Free: (800) 997-8516
Email: dhsec@nd.gov