ECECD Wage Supplemental Pay Program Information

Education based supplemental wages

Click here to apply for the ECECD Supplemental Pay Program

About the Program

The ECECD (Early Childhood Education and Care Department) 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.

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 five credit hours of early childhood education classes 
  • earn less than $16.oo an hour
  • work with ages birth – 5

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.

If you do not currently have a minimum of 5 credit hours in Early Childhood Education, 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. 
If you start the process and become ineligible, you can start a new application any time you become eligible.  Simply contact us for help.
 
Payments are made based on a flat-fee scale.  Payment amount is based on part-time (20-31 hours/ week) or full-time (32+ hours/week) status and education level.  See below for information related to education levels. 
Click here for information on payment amounts.
 

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 5 credit hours in Early Childhood Education, 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 5 credit hours in Early Childhood Education credits
  • maximum of 2 years funded at Level 1 for Wage Supplement

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.