Regulated child care and afterschool employers are experiencing unprecedented staffing concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related "Great Resignation." These employers are experiencing exceptionally high staff vacancy and turnover rates while also facing increasing pressure to revert back to pre-COVID operating schedules to support parents and caregivers who are returning to more in-person work.
The Child Care Workforce Retention Bonus Program provides one lump sum benefit payment to eligible regulated program owners who fill one of the eligible positions in their program on an ongoing basis.
If you wish to apply for this benefit payment, you must meet all the following eligibility requirements:
- Be the individual owner of a regulated family child care home, center based child care preschool program, or an afterschool program and work in one of the eligible positions below on an ongoing basis; and
- The program must be located in Vermont (overnight camps are not included); and
- The program must be open and serving Vermont children at the time of the application.
Eligible Positions
- Director
- Family Child Care Home Provider
- Afterschool program administrator
- Afterschool program staff
- Teacher
- Teacher associate
- Assistant
- Trainee
- Aide
- If the owner is on leave, but is committed to returning to work in one of the eligible positions above, they are also eligible.
If you have questions about this application, please contact ahs.dcfcddworkforcebonus@vermont.gov.