Why does REWARD require completion of credits for some participants?
Recent studies show there is a strong link between the educational level of a provider and the quality of care they provide. As a result, the State of Wisconsin, Department of Children and Families (DCF) has been focusing on investments in initiatives that will help support the educational development of child care providers. This is demonstrated in not only the funding of programs like the R.E.W.A.R.D. Wisconsin Stipend Program, but also in the funding of the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Wisconsin Scholarship Program. Additionally, proposed versions of the Quality Rating System rely heavily on the credit based education of those that work in child care programs. This is not only a Wisconsin phenomenon; nationally we see states spotlighting the educational levels of child care providers.
