Grants for Getting Your Child Development Associate (CDA)

State of Vermont

• The state of Vermont offers a grant to help cover the costs of the assessment fee for the CDA, up to $325. The grant is available to employees of licensed child-care programs regulated by and in good regulatory standing with the Department for Children and Families Child Development Division, or consultants with those programs. Eligible programs include center-based child care and preschool programs, as well as early childhood and after-school programs. Recipients are expected to remain employed in the child-care field in Vermont for one year after receiving the CDA credential. The application deadline is the first of each month. Applications must include a letter of recommendation and a professional development plan.

  Vermont Department for Children and Families Child Development Division

  103 S. Main St., 3 North

  Waterbury, VT 05671-5500

  802-241-4551

  dcf.vermont.gov/cdd

Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network

• The Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network offers a competitive scholarship to home and center-based child-care providers who have completed 30 hours of training in preparation for the CDA credential. Recipients must develop a learning plan with a career-guidance coordinator provided by the network and must be willing to participate in the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program as a provider. The funds may be used to pay for CDA classes offered through the network's local agency or online program. Applicants must be 18, have worked 480 hours in the past five years, have a high-school diploma or GED and had 120 hours of child-care education in the past five years.

  MN Child Care Resource & Referral Network

  380 E Lafayette Road, Suite 103

  St. Paul, MN 55107

  866-807-6021, ext. 108

  mnchildcare.org

Early Learning Coalition of Orange County

• The Early Learning Coalition of Orange County in Florida offers grants to cover registration fees, textbooks and tuition to teachers in its programs to obtain the CDA credential. Applicants must be 18, have a high-school diploma or GED, and must have been employed in child care for one year. Family child-care providers licensed by the Department of Children and Families also may apply. The application must include three letters of recommendation along with two references. Recipients must complete 40 hours of training (30 for family child care).

  Early Learning Coalition of Orange County

  P.O. Box 540387

  Orlando, FL 32854-0387

  407-841-6607

  elcoforangecounty.org