BA/MA Bonus Program:

• Frequently Ask Questions
• Application Guidelines
• Application

This program is an additional bonus for qualifying early childhood educators with BA and/or MA degrees working at approved Preschool For All (PFA) sites. PFA staff from Assistant Teacher through Site Supervisor may be eligible for this additional bonus. Read the 2007-2008 application guidelines below for more information.

2007-2008 Application Guidelines

Bonus: Qualifying Early Childhood Educators with BA and/or MA degrees working at approved PFA sites can receive $1,250 per quarter up to $5,000 annually.

Eligibility: To be eligible for the BA/MA Bonus in 2007-2008, you must meet all of the following guidelines:

• Hold a BA or MA in ECE/CDEV or a BA or MA in any field plus 24 ECE units or a Teacher Permit or higher. (Foreign degrees must be evaluated by an approved evaluation agency. Call SF CARES for a list of approved agencies.)
• Work in San Francisco at First 5 San Francisco-approved PFA site as an Assistant, Associate, Teacher, Lead Teacher, Site Supervisor, FCC Owner or FCC Assistant, serving infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers.
• Start working on or before one of the deadlines below, work an average of 15 hours per week and work continuously through the end of each quarter.

The following Employment Exceptions will apply:

• 9 month employees-If your employment ends before June 30 due to a break in your school session, you can still qualify for that quarter if you work through the last week of the school session.
• Maternity leave and work related disability-Maternity leave and work related disability will be considered as long as it is not longer than three months and as long as you return to the same employer or another approved PFA site once your leave ends.

Deadline: To get started you must apply through SF CARES. Applications will be accepted starting November 14, 2007. To see when your eligibility begins, refer to the chart below. Start by determining the earliest quarter in which you were working and apply by the application deadline to the right. You only have to apply once. After you are approved, eligibility will remain ongoing as long as you meet all of the above requirements, continue to work a minimum of 15 average hours per week, and work continuously through the end of each quarter at an approved PFA site. At the end of each quarter, you will automatically be mailed a bonus request form. You and your employer must sign, confirming your continued employment, and return it to the SF CARES office by the deadline printed on the form. Your bonus check will be mailed within 2-3 weeks from the deadline.

Applications must be mailed or dropped off to the SF CARES address below. Faxes will not be accepted. If you have questions, need an application, or wish to make an appointment call SF CARES at (415) 856-8140.