OCDEL Announces Bonus Amount Increase Through Recruitment and Retention Program
Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) announced an opportunity to increase the bonus amount provided through the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention (CCSRR) Program.
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The 2025-26 enacted state budget includes $25 million for retention and recruitment funding to qualified DHS certified providers. While the initial bonus amount was set at a maximum amount of $450, OCDEL recently announced an increase in that amount to $645.
Updated bonuses will be issued to qualified child care providers whose applications were submitted by the January 29 deadline, met all eligibility criteria, and were approved. No additional new applications will be accepted.
Early Learning Resource Centers will send qualified providers a Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention award agreement amendment. Providers will need to sign and submit to the ELRCs the award agreement amendment to be eligible for the increased bonus amount of $645 for eligible staff.
The completed amendment is due to the ELRC by April 3 or the provider forfeits the bonus increase and the previous award agreement amount of $450 will be final.
Retention bonus payments will be released to qualified providers by May 15. Providers are encouraged to contact their quality coach with any questions.