Retention and Advancement Incentives to Support Educators (RAISE) is a program designed by the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children to increase the retention and educational advancement of working early childhood professionals. Retention of early childhood professionals is a historical challenge largely attributed to low wages.  RAISE provides quarterly retention awards directly to early childhood professionals based on an award scale corresponding with the Texas Early Childhood Education Career Pathway with the goal of retaining high-quality educators in the field by making a career in early childhood education a viable economic option.

The RAISE program is currently available to early childhood professionals working in Texas Rising Star child care programs in the Northeast Texas Workforce Board area. If you would like to provide funding for the RAISE program in your community, please contact us at [email protected]. 

Generally, early childhood professionals who meet the following criteria are eligible for a retention award through the RAISE program. Eligibility criteria may vary depending on the funding source for the program.

• Early childhood professional employed in a Texas Rising Star child care program
• Earn less than $20/hour

If you are an early childhood professional in the Northeast Texas Workforce Board area and meet the eligibility criteria, you are invited to apply for the RAISE program.Start your application by clicking Apply Now below. Applications will be processed within 7-10 day business days. Retention awards provided through the RAISE program are subjected to applicable taxes under IRS rules. 

Have questions? Contact our team at [email protected].