The Educational Incentive Program (EIP) is a scholarship program funded by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYS OCFS). Its purpose is to assist child care providers in paying for the professional development training and education they need to provide quality care to children. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and can be used for workshops, conferences, credit-bearing courses and credentials within the child care profession.

Funding for MAT, CPR, and First Aid Training 

The Office of Children and Family Services offers funding for Medication Administration Training (MAT) for child care workers and legally exempt providers, who are providing publicly subsidized child care.

Cathryn A. Riley Leadership Fund
This vital fund is named for Cathryn A. Riley. Cate was a former Council employee who devoted her entire professional life to improving the lives of young children and those who work with them. Her dedication and passion for early childhood programs lives on in this fund, as it offers a step forward to early childhood professionals who have new and exciting ideas to develop and share.

The Fund awards educational grants to early childhood professionals who would like to develop projects that will enhance their leadership skills and inspire others to advance through training. The Fund supports the development of new collaborations supporting children and families, initiatives promoting early childhood education, independent research and the development of courses strengthening leadership.

Grants from the Cathryn A. Riley Leadership Fund are awarded once a year, yet are designed to be open-ended. Applicants must be:

• A resident of New York State.
• Employed in the early childhood field.
• Work with children from birth through age 12 and their families.
• Submit a detailed proposal that demonstrates how their training goals will advance them to leadership roles within the child care community.