CT Child Care Worker Bonus: 5 Things To Know

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont announced the details of a $70 million appreciation bonus program for child care workers around the state. The money was approved as part of the state budget bill signed earlier this year.

“Child care staff work consistently to provide critically needed care to ensure that children are safe and their parents and guardians have the support necessary to go to work,” Lamont said in a statement. “They are an essential part of our economy and help make Connecticut the most family-friendly state in the country.

Here are five things to know about the program:

What are the bonus amounts?

Individual bonuses are $1,000 for full-time child care workers and $400 for part-time workers.

How will bonuses be given out?

The program is being administered by the state Office of Early Childhood with help from the United Way of Connecticut. Child care program operators need to apply for the funds and disburse payments to child care staff.

Operators will get 10 percent extra on top of their staff payments to support staff benefits and administrative processing costs.

The OEC will contact child care program operators and provide them with information on how to apply.

Who qualifies?

Child care staff who work in licensed centers, group child care homes, and family child care homes.

Additionally, license-exempt programs that receive school readiness or child day care contract funds qualify.

Why not use money for ongoing wage support?

Some state legislators are upset with the way the funds are being used.

House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora told the CT Mirror that the legislative intent was clear and that Lamont was handing out one-time bonuses right before Election Day. Sen. Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) said the intent behind the program was to provide long-term stability to the child care industry, and not one-time payments.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski criticized Lamont and said the timing of the announcement was obvious.

The 2023 fiscal year budget includes $180 million in investments for child care.

How did the pandemic affect the child care industry in Connecticut?

The child care industry had high turnover due to low wages, lack of benefits and stress prior to the pandemic, according to the Connecticut Association for Human Services. There is limited ability to pass higher wage costs onto customers because the cost of care is typically a family's largest or second-largest expense. Other low wage industries have increased wages lately, which has put child care at a disadvantage.

There are about 3,266 fewer children in child care compared with pre-pandemic levels, according to a CAHS July report. There are more than 24,000 child care spaces out of commission due to staff shortages.