INCENTIVES

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Program Changes!

IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION

Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is proud to

support and encourage Georgia’s early care and education
professionals through the DECAL Scholars programs. These
innovative programs help create a high quality, stable early care
and education workforce that benefits families, contributes to
the state’s economy, and helps prepare Georgia’s young
children for success in school.

INCENTIVES Application Form

INCENTIVES is a salary bonus program that encourages early care and education professionals to maintain tenure. and
increase their education. Research confirms that higher education and reduced teacher turnover positively impact the
quality of care provided to children. Eligible participants receive a maximum of five annual payments based on their tenure
date and year their credential was earned. Summer annual payments will be reserved for applicants with a December to
May tenure date. Winter annual payments will be reserved for applicants with a June to November tenure date.

TO BE ELIGIBLE:
You must be able to document that you are a United States
citizen, legal permanent resident, qualified alien or non-immigrant. You must have a Georgia Professional Development
System Profile reflecting your GaPDS number, the name of
your current employer, and a “Pending” or “Active” status.
You must be a teacher, assistant teacher, director, assistant See instructions on page six.
director or owner employed and paid by one of the following:

 A child care learning center licensed by DECAL or the Department

of Defense You must work a minimum of 15 hours per week in your
 An exempt Head Start center primary role as a teacher, assistant teacher, director,
 A Georgia Pre-K teacher/assistant teacher in a public school
 A DECAL registered family child care learning home assistant director or owner. Volunteer work does not qualify.
 An after-school program licensed by DECAL.

You must be employed with your current employer in an You must have earned an ECE credential or degree in the
eligible position or be a registered family child care learning past 5 years.
home provider for 12 consecutive months by the close of
the INCENTIVES period.

INCENTIVES applications must be dated and postmarked between April 3 and June 7 for the
summer annual payment OR between September 5 and November 30 for the winter annual payment.

Submit your application and supporting documents to:

DECAL Scholars Programs c/o Care Solutions, Inc.

Email: support@DECALscholars.com
Fax: 678-822-5272
(mailed applications are not accepted)

Rev 1/2023
All rules and eligibility requirements are subject to change without notification. Applications are updated when
program revisions occur. Visit www.DECALscholars.com to download the most recent application or to apply online.
 INCENTIVES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What are the INCENTIVES application deadlines?

a. Applications must be dated and postmarked between April 3 and June 7 for the summer annual payment
(tenure date of December through June) OR between September 5 and November 30 for the winter
annual payment (tenure date of July through November). INCENTIVES payments are typically awarded
to approved applicants within four weeks.

2. Are all ECE degrees accepted?

a. No. Your degree must have been earned through a college or university that is regionally accredited. See
https://www.chea.org/search-institutions for a list of regional accrediting agencies.

3. How many ECE credit hours must my associate or bachelor’s degree have to qualify for INCENTIVES?

a. The INCENTIVES program requires your associate degree to have at least 30 semester (39 quarter)
hours in ECE-specific courses. A bachelor’s degree must have at least 36 semester (48 quarter) hours in
ECE-specific courses.

4. When do I have to earn my credential/degree?

a. The award date of the highest-earned qualified credential or degree must be five years or less from the
year applying for INCENTIVES (i.e. 2023 applicants must present a credential or degree dated 2018 or
later). This applies to all INCENTIVES applicants.

5. Should I send a copy of my credential/degree or do I need to send an official transcript?

a. If you earned a CDA credential submit a copy of your credential. If you earned a Technical Certificate of
Credit, or Technical College Diploma Associates, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree, submit a copy of your
official transcript from the Registrar’s office. Unofficial transcripts are not accepted.

6. I received an INCENTIVES payment in the past. Am I eligible for future payments?

a. The number of INCENTIVES payments you may receive is determined by your previous INCENTIVES
payment history, current tenure, and your current educational level. Call 770-642-6722 or
800-227-3410 to determine your eligibility at your current tenure and educational level.

7. What is the Georgia Professional Development System (GaPDS)?

a. The Professional Development System (GaPDS) is an innovative resource developed by DECAL for early
care and education (ECE) professionals. It allows individuals to track their career, training hours, and any
credentials or degrees earned. See page six for instructions.

8. Where can I find a Notary Public to notarize the “Affidavit for Lawful Presence Verification”?

a. A Notary can often be found at your local bank, post office, public library or court house. A notarized
affidavit and required documentation must be submitted to the INCENTIVES program one time by US
Citizens, but Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 50-36-1) requires all legal permanent residents, qualified aliens and
non-immigrants to submit a new Affidavit every 12 months.

9. When will I find out if I have been approved for an INCENTIVES payment?

a. You should receive an email letter indicating the status of your application within two to three weeks. If
you have not heard from DECAL Scholars within three weeks, contact us (770-642-6722, 800-227-4310,
support@ DECALscholars.com) to confirm receipt of your application.

10. Where can I submit my application?

a. Submit your completed application and supporting documentation to

DECAL Scholars Programs c/o Care Solutions, Inc.
Email: support@DECALscholars.com or Fax: 678-822-5272
(mailed applications are not accepted)

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 INCENTIVES
Personal Information (Please print):

Name:_________________________________________ County of Residence:__________________________

First-middle initial-last (as it appears on your social security card)
Home Address:___________________________________ Apartment Number:___________________________
Street or post office box (Enter only one)
City: ______________________________________ State: ___________________ Zip:_____________________

Home Phone: ( ) _______________ Cell Phone: ( / /

)________________ Date of Birth: _______________

Social Security Number:______________________

/ / E-mail:___________________________________________
OFFICE USE ONLY Gender: Race: Ethnicity: (any race)

 Female  White  Hispanic / Latino

 Male  Black / African-American  Not Hispanic / Latino
 Non Binary  Asian
 I prefer not  Native American / Alaskan Native
to answer  Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
 Other:  Bi- / Multi-Racial
___________  Other:
Note: You will receive an IRS Form 1099 as required and must report INCENTIVES income on your tax return.

Employment Information (Employer must complete, sign, and date):

Name of Facility:____________________________________________________________________________
Enter name as it appears on DECAL license/registration

Work Address: ______________________________________________________________________________

Enter address as it appears on DECAL license/registration
City:_____________________________________________ State: ____________ Zip:_____________________

License/Registration Number:_______________________County:______________________________________

Phone: ( ) __________________________________________

Facility type (check one): Licensed by (check one):

 Georgia Pre-K in a Public School
 Child Care Learning Center  Georgia Department of Early Care and OR  Exempt Georgia Head Start
 Family Child Care Learning Home Learning (DECAL) Center
 Afterschool Program  Department of Defense (DOD)

Family Child Care Learning Applicant’s Employment Information

Home Owners Only Applicant’s Job Title (mark all that apply):
Date you opened your family child care home:
 Asst. Teacher  Asst. Director  Owner
_______/_____/________  Teacher  Director
Number of hours your family child care home
Is the applicant a Georgia lottery-funded Pre-K teacher?  Yes  No
operates each week: _________________
Is the applicant a Head Start or Early Head Start teacher?  Yes  No
Number of children currently enrolled in your
Number of hours applicant works each week: ___________________
family child care home: _____________
Ages of children currently enrolled Number of months per year applicant works (circle one): 9 10 12

(circle all that apply): Number of months per year applicant is paid (circle one): 9 10 12
Birth – 1 1 2 3 4 5 Applicant’s current hourly wage: $__________________
Your Net Income from previous Applicant is paid: Weekly Bi-Weekly Bi-Monthly Monthly (circle one)
year’s IRS Schedule C tax form:
Applicant’s date of hire: _______/_____/________ (use original hire date if employment
$_______________________
has been continuous with present employer, but at different locations)
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)?
If applicant is in the classroom, # of children in applicant’s classroom: _________________
 Yes  No
If applicant is in the classroom, ages of children in class (check all that apply):
Serve GACAPS subsidized children?
 Yes  No  Birth-1  1-2  2-3  3-4  4-5  5-12

As Owner, Director, Principal, or Human Resources Manager, I verify that the above employment information for this applicant is true and accurate. I understand
and agree that receipt of INCENTIVES monies by the applicant will not affect any salary adjustments the applicant may be eligible to receive through our
program.

Name (print): __________________________________________________ Title (print):_________________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________________________________Date:_________________________________________

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 INCENTIVES
APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE THIS SECTION

INCENTIVES Award Levels:

INCENTIVES annual payments will be based on tenure date.

INCENTIVES will no longer be earned semi-annually, but will be an annual payment based on length
of tenure and year credential earned. Eligible applicants with tenure dates between December and
May will receive an annual summer payment. Eligible applicants with tenure dates between June
and November will receive an annual winter payment.

Eligible credentials/degrees include the following early childhood education, child development, and
early childhood administration credentials/degrees earned between 2018-2023:
• Child Development Associate (CDA)
• Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC)
• Technical College Diploma (TCD)
• Applied Associate of Science Degree (AAS)
• Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS)
• Master’s Degree (MA/MS)

Applicants must maintain tenure and a valid credential to receive the maximum number of payments.
Applicants must also apply each year during their tenure period. Payment amounts for INCENTIVES will
be based on the years of tenure an applicant has:

• 1-3 years: $1,500 annual payment

• 4 or more years: $2500 annual payment

INCENTIVES applications must be dated and postmarked between April 3 and June 7 for the
summer annual payment OR between September 5 and November 30 for the winter annual payment.

Submit the following with your application:

 A copy of your valid Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™

OR

 A copy of an official transcript if you hold a Technical Certificate of Credit, Technical College Diploma,
Associate, Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree

 A copy of two recent paystubs reflecting the name of your employer, your name, and your gross
(before deductions) wages. Family child care learning home providers and owners who do not pay
themselves W2 wages submit a copy of last year’s Schedule C or other federal tax form documenting
net business income

 A copy of your Georgia Professional Development System profile reflecting your GaPDS number, the
name of your current employer, and a “Pending” or “Active” status

 A copy of the notarized Affidavit and the FRONT and BACK of a secure and verifiable document (See
page eight for instructions.)

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 INCENTIVES

Sign and date the application:

STATEMENT OF AFFIRMATION: Read carefully before signing and dating. Unsigned applications will not be processed.

I ________________________________________, (applicant's name) attest that all of the information appearing on this application and in supporting documentation
is true to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any false or incomplete information knowingly provided on this application or in supporting documents may be
grounds to be denied participation in this program and may prevent me from future participation in any DECAL Scholars programs. I understand that intentionally
providing false information on this application or in supporting documents is a violation of state law and may result in civil or criminal proceedings. I authorize any
agent or employee of Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning to verify this information and release it to any necessary party for my consideration in this
program. I understand that, if approved and awarded funds, I will receive a 1099 tax form and am required by the IRS to report the income on my tax return. I also
understand and agree that my personal information may be shared with the Georgia Professional Development System. Under penalty of perjury, I certify that:

1. The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (social security number or I am waiting to be issued to me); and
2. I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no
longer subject to backup withholding; and
3. I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. person (defined below); and
4. I understand I am being paid as an "individual" in regards to tax status; and
5. The (FACTA) code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating I am exempt from FACTA reporting is correct.

Applicant’s Signature Date

Submit your application and supporting documents to:

DECAL Scholars Programs c/o Care Solutions, Inc.

Email: support@DECALscholars.com
Fax: 678-822-5272
(mailed applications are not accepted)

INCENTIVES is funded by Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning through the federal
Child Care and Development Fund.

If you have any questions please call or email us at

800-227-3410 (toll free) or 770-642-6722 or support@decalscholars.com
www.DECALscholars.com

DECAL Scholars programs are managed by Care Solutions, Inc.

Rev 1/2023
All rules and eligibility requirements are subject to change without notification. Applications are updated when
program revisions occur. Visit www.DECALscholars.com to download the most recent application or to apply online.

5
 INCENTIVES

GEORGIA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM

All individuals applying for the INCENTIVES must register with the Georgia Professional
Development System for Early Childhood Educators (GaPDS) as a part of the application
process. The GaPDS is separate from DECAL Scholars. It records and maintains your professional
development information – your training and/or any credentials or degrees you earn, in one
convenient location.

Registering is easy! You can sign up immediately, even if you have not earned a credential or degree,
by entering any recent early childhood or related training you have received.

1. Gather your relevant training certificates, credentials, and/or transcript(s).

2. Go to https://gapds.decal.ga.gov. Click the Login/Register button.

3. Click “Create new account for GaPDS.”

4. Select “I want to create and manage my Georgia Professional Development System

profile or enroll in training” and click Continue.

5. Follow the directions, including selecting your employer, to create your confidential
account. Be sure to record your username and password and secure them for future use.
You will receive a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to complete
your account.

6. After completing and saving the Contact, Education, Employment, and Training sections,
scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the message “Ready for Submission?” Click
on “My Profile”.

7. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on the “Continue to Submission” button.

8. Check the box next to “I certify that the statements I have made to DECAL: Georgia
Department of Early Care and Learning . . .” and click Submit. This will change your
GaPDS status from Incomplete to Pending and you will be assigned a GaPDS Number.

9. Click the “Profile” link in the Reports box on the left side of the screen, print your GaPDS
profile and submit with your INCENTIVES application. Your GaPDS profile must reflect
your name, your GaPDS number, the name of your current employer, and a Pending or
Active status.

10. You will receive an email identifying what you need to submit to the GaPDS to verify
the information you entered. The documents are not shared with the DECAL Scholars
programs.

Two other tabs appear when you enter the system to view your profile: Other Career Data and
Demographics. Completing the information under these tabs is voluntary; this data is used by
DECAL to determine additional supports and services needed across the state.

You can update your profile at any time by submitting documentation of state-approved trainings,
credentials, degrees, conference attendance, etc. as you complete them.

The GaPDS is a tool that benefits the early care and education community in Georgia, and we
encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Thank you for your continued dedication to your
professional development and your commitment to improving the quality of care for young children.

If you have questions or need technical support, contact the GaPDS at 404-334-6461 (866-258-7737
outside the metro Atlanta area) or email gapds@decal.ga.gov.

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 INCENTIVES
Affidavit for Lawful Presence Verification:

Affidavit For Lawful Presence Verification

For
Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
INCENTIVES
By executing this affidavit under oath, as an applicant for an INCENTIVES payment or for other public benefit as refer-
enced in O.C.G.A. §50-36-1(a)(3)(A), I hereby swear and affirm that the following is true and correct with respect to
my application for an INCENTIVES payment from DECAL: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

Name of Person Receiving Benefit: _______________________________________________

Check only ONE of the following:

1) _____ I am a United States citizen 18 years of age or older.

2) _____ I am a legal permanent resident of the United States, 18 years of age or older.
(You must submit a copy of the FRONT and BACK of your Legal Permanent Resident card).

3) _____ I am a qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act, 18
years of age or older, with an alien registration number issued by the Department of Homeland
Security or other federal immigration agency
(You must submit a copy of the FRONT and BACK of your Alien Registration Receipt card).

My alien registration number issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other federal immigration
agency is: _______________________________ (Required if #2 or #3 is checked).
(You must submit the FRONT and BACK of your LPR/QA card).

I also verify I am providing A COPY OF THE FRONT AND BACK of at least one secure and verifiable
document, as required by O.C.G.A. Sec. 50-36-1(e)(1), with this affidavit. A complete list of acceptable
documents is on page 8 of this application.

The FRONT AND BACK of the secure and verifiable document I am providing with this affidavit is:
______________________________________________________________________________________
(Identify the document, such as driver’s license, birth certificate if last name is still the same, permanent
resident card, etc.)

In providing the above information under oath, I understand that any person who knowingly and willfully makes a
false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation in an affidavit in any matter within the jurisdiction of any
department or agency of state government shall be guilty of a violation of O.C.G.A. §16-10-20 and face criminal
penalties as allowed by such criminal statute.

Signature of Applicant Date

Printed Name:

Printed Address:
Mailing Address

City State Zip

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN BEFORE ME ON THIS THE ____ DAY OF _______________, 20___

Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ___/___, 20___

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 INCENTIVES
Secure and Verifiable Documents Under O.C.G.A. § 50-36-2
Issued August 1, 2012 by the Office of the Attorney General, Georgia

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011 (“IIREA”) provides that “[n]ot later than August 1, 2011, the Attorney
General shall provide and make public on the Department of Law’s website a list of acceptable secure and verifiable documents. The
list shall be reviewed and updated annually by the Attorney General.” O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(f). The Attorney General may modify this list
on a more frequent basis, if necessary.
The following list of secure and verifiable documents, published under the authority of. O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2, contains documents that are
verifiable for identification purposes, and documents on this list may not necessarily be indicative of residency or immigration status.
• A driver’s license issued by one of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam,
the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the United States Virgin Island, American Samoa, or the Swain Islands,
providing that it contains a photograph of the bearer or lists sufficient identifying information regarding the bearer, such as
name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address to enable the identification of the bearer [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8
CFR § 274a.2]
• A United States passport or passport card [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8 CFR § 274a.2]
• An original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a State, county, municipal authority, or territory of the United States
bearing an official seal [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8 CFR § 274a.2]
• A United States Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8 CFR § 274a.2]
• A United States military identification card [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8 CFR § 274a.2]
• An identification card issued by one of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam,
the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the United States Virgin Island, American Samoa, or the Swain Islands,
providing that it contains a photograph of the bearer or lists sufficient identifying information regarding the bearer, such as
name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address to enable the identification of the bearer [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8
CFR § 274a.2]
• A tribal identification card of a federally recognized Native American tribe, provided it contains a photograph of the bearer,
such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address to enable the identification of the bearer. A listing of federally
recognized Native American tribes may be found at: http:/www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre?BIA/OIS/TribalGovernmentServices/
TribalDirectory/index.htm [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8 CFR § 274a.2]
• An Employment Authorization Document that contains a photograph of the bearer [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8 CFR § 274a.2]
• A passport issued by a foreign government [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8 CFR § 274a.2]
• A Merchant Mariner Document or Merchant Mariner Credential issued by the United States Coast Guard [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)
(3);8 CFR § 274a.2]
• A Free and secure Trade (FAST) card [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8 CFR § 274a.2]
• A NEXUS card [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8 CFR § 274a.2]
• A Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) card [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8 CFR § 274a.2]
• A driver’s license issued by a Canadian government authority [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8 CFR § 274a.2]
• A Certificate of Citizenship issued by the United States Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (Form
N-560 or Form N-561) [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8 CFR § 274a.2]
• A Certificate of Naturalization issued by the United States Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (Form
N-550 or Form N-570) [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8 CFR § 274a.2]
• Certification of Report of Birth issued by the United States Department of State (Form DS-1350) [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8
CFR § 274a.2]
• Certification of Birth Abroad issued by the United States Department of State (Form FS-240) [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8 CFR §
274a.2]
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the United States Department of State (Form FS-240) [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(b)(3);8
CFR § 274a.2]
• In addition to the documents listed herein, if, in administering a public benefit or program, an agency is required by federal law
to accept a document or other form of identification for proof of or documentation of identity, that document or other form
of identification will be deemed a secure and verifiable document solely for that particular program or administration of that
particular public benefit. [O.C.G.A.§ 50-36-2(c) ]

If you have any questions,

call 800-227-3410 or 770-642-6722
www.DECALscholars.com
support@DECALscholars.com

DECAL Scholars programs are managed by Care Solutions, Inc.