Please note: Our office will be closed Monday, January 19th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We’ll resume normal business hours on Tuesday, January 20th.

Looking for DECAL QR Payments (to apply for the $500 Quality Rated Workforce Bonus)? Click here.

Which credentials and degrees are eligible for Incentives?

The following credentials and degrees are eligible for the Incentives program:

Awarded by the CDA Council:

Child Development Associate (CDA) credential

Awarded by a regionally accredited college or university:

Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC)
Technical College Diploma (TCD)
Associate Degree
- With at least 30 credit hours in early childhood education-specific courses
Bachelor’s Degree
- With at least 36 credit hours in early childhood education-specific courses
Master’s Degree

Awarded by a MACTE-accredited Montessori program:

Montessori Program Credential (infant/toddler and early childhood education only)

The program of study must have been in one of the following areas:

Early Childhood Education
Child Development
Elementary Education (Pre-K-5)
Childcare Program Administration
Family Child Care
School Age Care
Infant/Toddler Care

DECAL Scholars programs, funded by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), empower Georgia’s early childhood educators to advance their careers and provide exceptional care and education to children and families. We envision a future where educators are committed to the profession, achieve their career goals, and provide Georgia’s children with high quality early care and education.

DECAL Scholars programs for early childhood educators include Scholarships for the CDA credential, college credentials and degrees, Montessori credentials, and educational counseling services. DECAL Scholars programs are managed by Care Solutions, Inc.

These programs are funded in whole or in part by the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and are subject to the availability of funds. All applicable provisions, rules and regulations of the funding source must be followed. Programs may be reduced or discontinued at any time if the Department (DECAL) determines that adequate funds are not available or have been de-appropriated.

Translate »