Financial Support

Your Step Up to Quality coach can provide resources and information to help you access additional support and funding via Step Up to Quality partners.

Quality Grants

A limited number of quality grants are available to assist child care programs working to improve the quality of care through Step Up to Quality. Grants are available through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Children and Families.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Nebraska® Scholarships

A limited number of T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) Early Childhood Nebraska® scholarships are available through the Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children. Scholarships assist professionals working toward an associate or bachelor’s degree or a certificate or diploma.

Child Development Associate

Limited funds are available to assist early childhood professionals who want to apply for a Child Development Associate (CDA), a nationally recognized credential for early childhood professionals. Funds help pay the initial assessment or renewal fees and are made available through the Nebraska Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood.

2017-2021 School Readiness Tax Credits for the Early Childhood Workforce and Step Up to Quality Program Participants

These tax credits were available to qualifying members of the early childhood professional workforce and early childhood programs for the 2017-2021 tax years. The School Readiness tax credits expired with the 2021 tax year.

Any future updates on the School Readiness tax credit will be posted here.