The governor said the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood has completed distributing $70 million in state funding that was allocated for bonus payments to the staff of childcare and early childhood education providers statewide.
Gov. Ned Lamont said the Wage Supports for Early Childhood Educators initiative is intended to help stabilize the childcare industry and support its workforce.
His office said around 21,000 early childhood educators and staff statewide are receiving the bonus payments.
The funding was distributed in two phases.
Get Connecticut local news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Connecticut newsletters.
The first phase -- $15 million -- and was completed in the fall of 2022. The second and final phase -- $55 million -- was completed this month.
The governor’s office said operators of the childcare and early childhood education providers had to apply for the funding and then are responsible for distributing the bonus payments to their staff.
The governor’s office said the final phase includes a guaranteed per-person bonus payment based on the hours child care staff work.
Local
Full-time employees receive a $1,700 base payment and part-time employees receive a $650 base payment.
The governor’s office said staff and programs can receive additional funds based on meeting specific criterial, such as certain Office of Early Childhood licensing, accreditation, and program participation in the Care 4 Kids program.
More information about the Wage Supports for Early Childhood Educators initiative is available online here.
