Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund

Program overview

The Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund was created to close the wage gap between early childhood educators and K–12 teachers in Washington, DC. Launched in 2021 by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), the program offers direct wage supplements to eligible early childhood educators, providing financial relief in a long-undervalued profession.

Funded through a local tax on high-income earners, the program provides annual salary supplements of up to $14,000 for lead teachers and $10,000 for assistant teachers working in community-based organizations (CBOs). OSSE partnered with AidKit to administer the fund and ensure a secure, efficient, and equitable distribution process. AidKit’s role includes eligibility verification, multilingual applicant support, and fraud prevention, helping educators receive their well-earned payments without unnecessary barriers.

When asked what advice she would give to an organization looking to replicate this model, Sara Mead, Deputy Superintendent of Early Learning at DC OSSE, said:

“I would tell them to work with AidKit.”

Partnership in practice: How AidKit helped OSSE streamline operations, increase accessibility, and scale the program

1. Efficient fund distribution

OSSE faced a significant challenge in distributing millions of dollars in wage supplements to early childhood educators across the city. Many recipients had limited or varying access to banking services, requiring alternative payment methods. To reach all eligible educators quickly, the fund had to balance speed, security, and accessibility. AidKit was chosen as the implementation partner because of its proven ability to administer large-scale direct cash assistance while ensuring strict compliance and fraud prevention. AidKit streamlined the entire process—from application verification to payment disbursement—reducing OSSE’s administrative burden while maximizing access for educators.

With AidKit’s automated system, over 90% of eligible educators applied for payments, and millions of dollars were distributed on time, advancing pay equity. Educators reported using the funds to pay rent, cover medical bills, and support their families with greater stability. By using AidKit’s secure and scalable platform, OSSE successfully delivered financial relief with minimal friction, setting a new standard for wage supplement programs.

2. Culturally responsive and inclusive access

Early childhood educators in DC speak a variety of languages, with English, Spanish, and Amharic among the most common. Some also lack access to traditional banking services. OSSE recognized that the application process needed to be multilingual, mobile-friendly, and intuitive to maximize participation.

To address this, OSSE and AidKit partnered with community-based organizations to support applicants—working with the Multicultural Spanish Speaking Association (MSSPA) for Spanish-language outreach and providing Amharic-language support and live interpretation during information sessions.

By prioritizing accessibility, AidKit helped OSSE reach educators who may have otherwise been excluded. The result was a record-high participation rate, with educators from diverse backgrounds successfully receiving funds without unnecessary delays.

3. Streamlined and secure application process

Traditional government funding applications are often complex and time-consuming, making them difficult to navigate. OSSE wanted a simplified and efficient application process to minimize paperwork while maintaining strong verification standards. By integrating with OSSE’s child care licensing database, AidKit enabled automatic applicant verification, significantly reducing processing time and eliminating manual eligibility reviews. This ensured that educators could access their payments without bureaucratic roadblocks.

“This fund is life-altering and will help early childhood educators get out of some dire financial situations and, overall, improve their mental health and well-being. That will trickle down to the children.”

— Research participant, Urban Institute report

Read more about Urban Institute’s research →

Program impact

Since its launch, the Pay Equity Fund has helped thousands of early childhood educators achieve greater financial stability, increase job satisfaction, and improve retention rates.

At a glance

• $38 million distributed to 3,217 early childhood educators in the first phase.
• $41.9 million distributed to 4,085 early childhood educators in the second phase.
• $1.23 returned for every $1 invested.
• 23% one-year return on investment.

Higher earnings

Lead teachers received up to $14,000, significantly narrowing the pay gap with K–12 educators.

Increased stability

Educators reported paying off debt, covering medical expenses, and affording rent and food.

Stronger workforce

The program has helped retain early childhood educators, preventing staffing shortages in child care centers.

The bigger picture

The Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund is a national model for addressing wage disparities in early education. By partnering with AidKit, OSSE has demonstrated how technology-driven solutions can efficiently deliver financial assistance, ensuring direct support for the workforce that shapes our future.