First-time Incentive to Raise Standards for Teachers (FIRST)
Frequently Asked Questions
November 2009
Eligible Credentials and Degrees
Eligible Employment Settings for FIRST
Eligible Individuals
Eligible Credentials and Degrees
Can a candidate receive the incentive from FIRST and assistance from the SCHOLARSHIPS program?
Yes. An early care and education professional can receive FIRST and assistance from the SCHOLARSHIPS program (such as the Child Development Associate fee or tuition assistance and a stipend for academic programs at colleges and universities) if the professional meets each program's eligibility requirements.
Are there any online Child Development Associate (CDA) programs offered which meet the FIRST criteria?
To be eligible for FIRST, the CDA credential must be received from the Council for Professional Recognition. The course work for the CDA must have been completed through the Technical College System of Georgia (www.tcsg.edu) or a community-based CDA trainer who is state-approved to offer the CDA course work. The list of state-approved CDA trainers approved to offer the 120-clock hour CDA training is located on the Georgia Early Care and Education Professional Development website. Go to www.training.decal.ga.govand search for "CDA" under the "Find Training" tab.
If the CDA expired, would the provider qualify when renewing?
No. FIRST is only for those earning their initial CDA credential, Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC), Technical College Diploma (TCD) or Associate Degree (AA) in early care and education or school age care. Individuals who renew a CDA are not eligible.
If an individual working in a child care program has a bachelor's degree that is NOT in early childhood education or related field, would this individual be eligible for FIRST if he/she receives a CDA credential, TCC, TCD, or an AA or within the time frame?
An early care and education professional who has a bachelor's degree in or other credential or degree in an unrelated field may receive FIRST when the professional earns his/her first qualifying early chlidhood education credential. All of the FIRST eligibility requirements must be met.
Why is a student working on a four-year degree not eligible?
The department is using the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA or stimulus) funds to help early care and education and school age care professionals obtain their first credential. The goal of FIRST is to help those already working in the field to meet higher standards for entry-level professionals. The department does provide assistance through the SCHOLARSHIPS and INCENTIVES programs to eligible early care and education proofessionals working to earn their four-year degrees.
Eligible Employment Settings for FIRST
What are the employment requirements?
Applicants for FIRST must be employed in the field at least three months at the time of the Pre-Application and employed at the time of the Final Application in an eligible child care setting. The intent is for the individual to be employed and remain employed throughout the time the individual is obtaining the credential.
Do employees have to work at a child care learning center that receives Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) subsidies in order to qualify for the FIRST incentive?
No. Employees do not have to work in a child care program that serves children subsidized by DFCS. The eligibility criteria for FIRST are different than for SCHOLARSHIPS and INCENTIVES.
Are staff members working in license exempt, school-age care programs eligible?
No. School-age care programs that are exempt from licensure do not meet the requirements for FIRST. To be eligible for FIRST, the school-age care and early care and education professionals must work in a child care program that is: 1) licensed by Bright from the Start; or b) licensed by the Department of Defense; or c) registered by Bright from the Start (family day care homes); or d) Georgia's Pre-K Program (in a public or private setting). School-age care programs that are exempt from licensure do not meet the requirement for FIRST.
Can a paraprofessional working in a Kindergarten classroom qualify for the incentive offered by FIRST?
No. Individuals working in Kindergarten classrooms or other K-12 classrooms in public or private schools cannot benefit from the funds offered by FIRST. The federal funds available for FIRST must be used to benefit children in child care settings. Therefore, professionals who are eligible for FIRST must work in Georgia's Pre-K Program, a licensed child care learning center, licensed group day care home, a registered family day care home, or licensed before/after school program.
Eligible Individuals
Can an "owner" receive FIRST funds?
No. An "owner" is not eligible for FIRST funds unless the owner works 40 hours per week as a director or assistant director in an early care and education program, school-age care program, or family day care home.
If a staff person has a CDA, TCC, or TCD but is required to have an AA (as is the case with the lead teacher in Pre-K), would that staff person qualify for the program since she is receiving the first level of credential acceptable for the position?
No. The early care and education professional has already earned a first credential (CDA, TCC, or TCD) and would not be eligible for FIRST when the AA was earned.
If the CDA is an Infant-Toddler credential and the teacher moves to Early Childhood (for Pre-K or in a three-year classroom), would the teacher qualify since she is receiving the first degree for her new position?
No. FIRST is to help people already working in the field earn their first early care and education or school age care credential. FIRST is available only to those who have no previous credential in early childhood education or school age care.
Georgia's Pre-K Program Resource Coordinators (RCs) are required to have at least an Associate Degree. If a program has an RC who is working through a provision of a waiver while completing her AA between September 1, 2009 and February 28, 2001 and this will be her first early childhood education credential, is she eligible for FIRST?
No. To meet the FIRST program eligibility requirements, the early care and education professional must be working as a lead teacher, teacher's assistant/caregiver, assistant director, or director for a specific number of hours weekly. The program targets professionals working directly with children. Resource coordinators are not eligible for FIRST.
Who can help me determine if I am eligible? Where can I learn more information?
For questions about eligibility, call Care Solutions at (770) 642-6722 or 1-800-227-3410 (toll-free). Click here to download the FIRST Pre-Application.
How can I learn more about the early care and education Technical Certificates of Credit and Technical College Diplomas?
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