ECECD Wage Supplemental Pay Program Information
Education based supplemental wages
About the Program
The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) Wage Supplement Program provides education-based supplemental wages to early childhood educators who work as teachers, teacher’s assistants, or family childcare home professionals with children from birth to age five. The program is education-based and includes ten incremental levels; the more education one attains, the more supplement one can receive. Qualification requirements for Payment Incentive and Scholarship programs are established by ECECD. All program awards are subject to funding availability.
The program is open to teachers, teacher’s assistants, and home care professionals who work a minimum of 20 hours/week in New Mexico at a:
- Early care and education programs that are licensed or registered through ECECD; or
- Tribal child care; or
- ECECD-funded PreK and Early PreK programs in a community-based setting; or
- NM PreK or Early PreK programs authorized by a public school or charter including Title I or 619 Preschool Programs; or
- NM Head Start or Early Head Start programs; or
- NM Tribal Head Start or Early Head Start programs; or
- ECECD-funded New Mexico Home Visiting or Family Infant Toddler Programs; or
- ECECD-funded Early Childhood Coalition Programs
Applicants must meet these additional requirements:
- have a minimum of three (3) credit hours of early childhood education classes or a CDA
- earn less than $18/hour
- work with ages birth – 5 (Pre-K and under)
- Submit an employment verification letter which must include the following information:
- Your name
- Job Title
- Ages of children you work with
- Hours worked per week
- Hourly rate of pay
The employment verification letter must be signed and dated by your supervisor, on letterhead, and include your supervisor’s contact information.
For your application to remain qualified, you must submit monthly reports. Failure to complete two monthly reports in a row will cause your application to be denied.
NOTE: Qualified applicants can be awarded for only one payment incentive program at a time. Individuals who are participating in the Wage Supplement program are not able to apply for Pre-K Pay Parity, Head Start Pay Parity or Infant Toddler Pay Parity. Qualified applicants can still apply for the Scholarship, Bilingual Incentive and/or the Early Childhood Network programs.
If you do not currently have a minimum of 3 credit hours in Early Childhood Education or a CDA, you must show proof of enrollment in ECE classes otherwise your application will be denied. You can reapply for Wage Supplement once you have enrolled in school.
Supplemental Pay Award Information
You can apply for the Wage Supplement Program at any time. You will receive your supplement payment in the month following your 6-month qualification. For example:
- If you apply in September and continue to meet all the eligibility requirements for 6 months, you will receive a payment in March. At the end of your six-month award cycle, you can complete a new application and start the process again.
- If you apply in February and continue to meet all the eligibility requirements for 6 months, you will receive a payment in August. At the end of your six-month award cycle, you can complete a new application and start the process again.
Education Requirements
The Wage Supplement Program is an education-based supplement. Participants at Levels 1-4 are required to continue to earn credentials and degrees as they progress through the supplement levels. Once an applicant has reached Level 5, they are encouraged, but not required to take additional courses and earn additional degrees. Remember, the scholarship program can help you obtain coursework and degrees in Early Childhood related fields. Click here to access information about the Scholarship Program.
If you do not currently have a minimum of 3 credit hours in Early Childhood Education or a CDA, you must show proof of enrollment in ECE classes otherwise your application will be denied. You can reapply for Wage Supplement once you have enrolled in school.
Levels 1-4 have a time-limit to move to the next level.
Level 1:
- minimum of 3 credit hours in Early Childhood Education credits OR CDA
- Individuals applying with a CDA have 2 years to earn 12 credit hours and advance to level 2 per the Wage Supplement Program Requirements.
- Individuals without either a CDA or 3 credit hours may apply but must include a Higher Ed class schedule that shows enrollment in a 3 credit hour class.
- Maximum of 2 years funded with a CDA only.
- Maximum of 2 years at Level 1 with three credit hours
Level 2:
- 12 credits in Early Childhood Education credits or CDC or IFS Certificate
- maximum of 2 years funded at Level 2 for Wage Supplement
Level 3:
- 24 credits towards a degree in Early Childhood Education
- maximum of 4 years funded at Level 3 for Wage Supplement
Level 4:
- 48 credits towards a degree in Early Childhood Education
- maximum of 4 years funded at Level 4 for Wage Supplement
There is no time limit to move between levels 5-10.
Level 5:
- 60 credits towards a degree in Early Childhood Education or an Associates Degree
Level 6:
- 75 credits towards a degree in Early Childhood Education
Level 7:
- 90 credits towards a degree in Early Childhood Education
Level 8:
- 105 credits towards a degree in Early Childhood Education
Level 9:
- 120 credits towards a degree in Early Childhood Education
Level 10:
- Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
Important Information
You must have a CNM W9 Form on file with CNM before any payments can be issued. The Program Team will contact you if we need your W9 or to verify your information on file is current.
It is your responsibility to pay taxes on any Wage Supplement payments. Taxes will not be withheld from the payments you receive. Wage Supplement payments may affect the taxes you pay each year.
Any qualified applicant who receives pay over $600 per calendar year will receive a 1099-MISC from CNMI. This is a requirement by the Internal Revenue Service. This information should be recorded on the 1099-MISC on your tax returns. You should contact a tax consultant to confirm how these are handled. We cannot provide tax guidance. Please contact your tax preparer for help.
CNM does offer a Tax Help service. Please click here for more information.