MERIT Workforce Registry

MERIT is the Workforce Registry and official system of record for early learning professionals in Washington state. It is an online system used to record and recognize the growth and achievements of the early learning field statewide.

In MERIT, you can build a professional profile to:

  • Record employment, training and educational accomplishments
  • Complete a Portable Background Check application
  • Find training opportunities
  • Manage employee records for a facility or site
  • Be recognized and receive awards for professional achievements

The information collected helps policymakers identify and analyze barriers to access and support career advancements and program-wide improvements. This information is crucial for encouraging increased recognition and compensation for a well-qualified workforce.

MERIT Support

Looking for a MERIT webinar? Visit our Webinars page. 

  1. Visit MERIT at merit.dcyf.wa.gov
  2. Click on ‘Sign In or Register’
  3. Fill out the required fields and create a password
  4. Activate your account by clicking on the email sent to you. Check your spam folder if you don’t see it in your inbox.
  5. Return to ‘Sign In’ page
  6. Sign in. Your username is your email address
  7. Once signed in, go to the ‘My Applications’ tab
  8. Click on the application 'STARS ID Number’
  9. Follow the steps to apply for your STARS ID

To update your name and/or date of birth in MERIT, you must provide a copy of one of the following:

  • Washington State Driver’s License
  • Out of State Driver’s License
  • Washington State ID
  • Out of State ID
  • Passport
  • Government-Issued ID
  • U.S. Uniformed Services ID

You may send a photographed or scanned copy of your ID to merit@dcyf.wa.gov. Please include your STARS ID number with your documents.

You must have a STARS ID number before applying for a Portable Background Check (PBC) application.  Please verify that your first name, last name, date of birth and gender in MERIT match what is listed on your current ID. If your information does not match, please send a copy of your current ID to merit@dcyf.wa.gov.

Portable Background Check application instructions:
  1. Login to MERIT at merit.dcyf.wa.gov
  2. Click on the “My Applications” tab.
  3. Click on the blue link labeled “Portable Background Check”.
  4. Complete and submit the application.
Are you a Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) provider who needs to complete a Portable Background Check?

Visit the FFN page for instructions

For questions or assistance with your Portable Background Check, contact DCYF's Background Check Unit (BCU):

To ensure licensing compliance, all individuals must have their current employment recorded in their MERIT Professional Record (WAC 110-300-0115). It is the employer or licensee’s responsibility to confirm the accuracy of that employment record by updating the status. Within MERIT, employment information for all staff or household members includes the following statuses:

  • Self-Entered: Employment information was entered into MERIT by the employee or household member.
  • Confirmed: Employment information was confirmed by the employer or licensee.
  • Verified: Employment information was verified by a DCYF Licensor or MERIT administrator.

To add employment information in MERIT, complete the following steps:

  1. Log in to MERIT at merit.dcyf.wa.gov.
  2. Click on the “Professional Record” sub tab.
  3. Scroll down to the “Early Care & Education/School-Age Employment Information” section.
  4. Click on the blue “+ Click here to add Employment” button.
  5. Under “Program(s),” check the box of the population you are serving.
  6. Pick your “Job Title”
    1. If a licensing application is pending, select “I am currently applying”
    2. If your job title is not listed, select “Other.”
  7. Search for the Facility/Site by name OR by the Provider/Organization ID and click “Go”.
  8. Verify the address and click the blue “Select” button.
  9. Enter in your “Employment Start Date”
    1. Do not enter in the “Employment End Date” if you are still employed
  10. Press the blue “Save” button.

Once you add your employment, you will be associated with the “Facility/Site.” Your employer can then confirm your employment status through the Facility/Site tab.

To end-date employment information in MERIT, complete the following steps:

  1. Log in at merit.dcyf.wa.gov
  2. Click on the “Professional Record” sub tab.
  3. Scroll down to the “Early Care & Education/School-Age Employment Information” section.
  4. Click on the edit icon next to your current employment.
    1. Enter in your “Employment End Date”
  5. Click the blue “Save” button.

Once you enter an employment end date, you will no longer be associated with that Facility/Site.

NOTE: If you are changing roles but still work at the same Facility/Site, you must end-date the employment record with the old role and then add a record for the new role.

If you are changing roles but still work at the same Facility/Site, you must end-date the employment record with the old role and then add a record for the new role.

If you need to delete an employment record, please contact MERIT@dcyf.wa.gov. Please be sure to include the following information:

  • First and last name
  • STARS number or Date of Birth
  • Information about the specific record you would like to remove or edit.

NOTE: Employment records with a Confirmed or Verified status cannot be deleted from a Professional Record.

Employee information is managed through the Facility/Site tab in MERIT by Primary Contact or Additional Designee.  From here, you can:

  • Change employees status from “self-entered” to “confirmed”
  • Update job role for an employee
  • Update start date or add an end date.
  • Select an employee as an Additional Designee, which will allow them to apply for access to the Facility/Site tab.

To edit any of the above information for an employee, click on the edit icon located on the far right of the screen under the “Status” column. A pop-up box will appear for you to add or edit information. Please note: If an employee has a “verified” employment status you cannot edit the record.

For information on how to apply for access to the Facility/Site tab, please see the “Facility/Site Registration” section on this webpage.

The Facility/Site tab is a management tool for staff who oversee and track employee records in MERIT. To access the Facility/Site tab you must submit a Facility/Site Registration application. To submit the application, you must be listed as either the Primary Contact or an Additional Designee.

Primary Contact Process

To submit a Facility/Site Registration application, you must be listed as the Primary Contact for your Facility/Site. Primary Contacts may be one of the following roles:

  • Owner (Center)
  • Family Home Owner
  • Director
  • Site Manager

Your first name, last name and date of birth listed under the Primary Contact information in FamLink must match what is recorded in MERIT. Contact your Licensor to verify or update this information. If your information is updated, you will need to wait one business day before submitting the Facility/Site application (see instructions below).

Additional Designee Process

Any role may submit a Facility/Site Registration application as an Additional Designee once given permission by the Primary Contact. To grant permission, the Primary Contact will need to select the “Allow user to Apply for Additional Designee” box in your employment record. The employment record must also have a “confirmed” or “verified” status.

Facility/Site Registration application instructions:
  1. Login to MERIT at merit.dcyf.wa.gov
  2. Click on the “My Applications” tab
  3. Click on the “Facility/Site Registration” application
  4. Fill out and submit the form

Once submitted, your Licensor will review the request for access to the “Facility/Site” tab.

For additional information, please see our Facility/Site guide.

Use the Health and Safety section in MERIT to record the following pre-service and training requirements:

  • Blood Borne Pathogen
  • CPR certification
  • First Aid certification
  • Food Handlers Permit, if applicable
  • Safe Sleep, if working with infants/toddler
  • TB Test
Adding Health and Safety Information instructions:
  1. Login to MERIT at merit.dcyf.wa.gov.
  2. Click on the “My Record” tab
  3. Click on the “Professional Record” sub tab
  4. Scroll down to the “Health and Safety Information” section
  5. Click on the blue “+ Click here to add Health and Safety Information” button
    1. Choose your “Training Type”
    2. Enter your “Completed Date”
    3. Enter your “Expiration Date” if applicable
    4. Click on the orange “Save” button

Your employer can confirm your Health and Safety Trainings in their Facility/Site tab.

Training is available at no cost to individuals interested in becoming a substitute. To get started, visit the MERIT Workforce Registry to register for an account and mark your interest in participating in the substitute pool on your professional record.

For more information about becoming a substitute, visit The Imagine Institute website.

Due to Governor Inslee’s rescission of all remaining COVID-19 emergency proclamations, the vaccination requirement for child care providers ended October 31, 2022. This means recording the vaccine status is no longer needed and is optional.

How to Record the Requirement in MERIT (Optional):
  1. Log into merit.dcyf.wa.gov.
  2. Click on the “My Record” tab.
  3. Click on the “Professional Record” sub-tab.
  4. Scroll down to the “Health & Safety Information” section.
  5. Click on the blue “+ Click here to add Health and Safety Information” button.
    1. Choose the “Training Type” – COVID-19 Requirement Met.
    2. Enter the “Completed Date” – This will be the date the information is entered in MERIT.
    3. Click on the blue “Save” button.

Note: Once the COVID-19 vaccine requirement is recorded, the employer or licensee will confirm the record.

How to Confirm Staff Records for the Requirement in MERIT as an Employer or Licensee (Optional):
  1. Log into merit.dcyf.wa.gov.
  2. Click on the “Facility/Site” tab.
  3. Scroll down to the “Employee Information” section.
  4. Click on the STARS number to access the staff’s Professional Record.
    1. Scroll down to their “Health and Safety Information” section.
    2. Click the blue “box” edit icon for the COVID-19 record. A popup box will appear.
    3.  Select the Confirmed box and click Save.
  5. The record will now display as confirmed in the employee's MERIT Professional Record.

Note: For employers or licensees, the status of the record will remain as “self-entered” until the next monitoring visit. At that time, the licensor may update the status as verified.

Education

To verify your education in MERIT, you must complete an education application and submit copies of supporting documents. Complete the following steps:

Step 1: Gather your supporting documents.
  • This may include official transcripts, High School diplomas and/or certificates of completion.
  • If you are only submitting education for annual In-Service training hours, you may submit copies of unofficial transcripts.
Step 2: Submit an education application in MERIT.
  1. Login to merit.dcyf.wa.gov
  2. Click on the “My Education” tab
  3. Click on the circle next to the words “Complete My Education: enter information about…”
  4. Click “No” to the ECEAP question
  5. Click on the blue “Go” button

  6. Complete the following sections, as needed:

    “Diplomas, Degrees, Colleges Attended”
    • Use this section to submit education for licensing staff qualifications.
    • Submit completed college credits. You do not need to have a completed degree.
    • If verifying a degree, the transcript must include the date of degree completion.
    “College Coursework”
    • Use this section to submit completed college coursework for annual In-Service training hours (formerly known as Annual Continuing Education STARS hours).
    • Only submit coursework completed within the past three years.
    • Only three courses may be submitted per calendar year.
    “Certificate and Credentials”
    • Use this section to submit certificates and credentials for licensing staff qualifications.
Step 3: Submit copies of supporting documents.

Once an education application is submitted and all supporting documents are received, please allow up to 45 business days for the verification process.

  • If unable to upload supporting documents at the end of the education application, please email them to education.verification@centralia.edu.
  • Always include copies of both the front and back of each transcript page.
  • Keep the original copy of the official transcripts for your personal records. Submit a scanned copy for review.
  • Education applications are withdrawn after 90 days if supporting documents are not received.

Once an education application is submitted and all supporting documents are received, please allow up to 45 business days for the verification process.

DCYF is excited to announce a new process for recording international education in MERIT. As of July 1, 2022:

  • DCYF no longer requires a NACES course-by-course evaluations. Course-by-course evaluations may only be requested case-by-case basis. DCYF will contact you if an evaluation is necessary for recording your education.
  • DCYF now accepts notarized literal translation for supporting documents. Please be aware, not all documents require translation. (See below for additional information about translation requirements).
Step 1: Gather your supporting documents.
  • This may include a copy of your certificate, diploma or degree, or other relevant supporting documents (transcripts, mark sheets, course descriptions, final exam documents).
  • Please review the “Do I need to translate my supporting documents?” information below to determine if a notarized literal translation is required.  Not all supporting documents require translation.
Step 2: Submit an education application in MERIT.
  1. Login to merit.dcyf.wa.gov
  2. Click on the “My Education” tab
  3. Click on the circle next to the words “Complete My Education: enter information about…”
  4. Click “No” to the ECEAP question
  5. Click on the blue “Go” button

  6. Complete the following sections, as needed:

    “Diplomas, Degrees, Colleges Attended”
    • Use this section to submit education for licensing staff qualifications.
    • Submit completed college credits. You do not need to have a completed degree.
    • If verifying a degree, the transcript must include the date of degree completion.
    “College Coursework”
    • This section is not available for International Education. It is used only to verify coursework for In-service training hours.
    “Certificate and Credentials”
    • Use this section to submit certificates and credentials for licensing staff qualifications.
Step 3: Submit copies of supporting documents in the application or email to MERIT@dcyf.wa.gov.
  • If additional information is required DCYF will contact you. Please be sure to check your email regularly for any notifications.
  • Once all supporting documents are received, please allow up to 45 business days for the verification process.
  • Keep the original copy of your supporting documents for your personal records. Submit a scanned copy for review.

A translation is not needed for supporting document in languages based on English characters with Latin origins (i.e. Spanish, French, and German).

Supporting documents in languages based on alternate character format require a notarized literal translation. These languages may include but are not limited to:

  • Arabic
  • Chinese
  • Japanese
  • Mandarin
  • Korean
  • Hindi
  • Tagalog
  • Russian

Literal translations are a word-for-word translation of the source text.

To complete an ECEAP Staff Qualification application in MERIT as an ECEAP lead teacher, assistant teacher or family support staff role, complete the following steps:

Step 1: Gather your information and supporting documents.
  • Employment information: Name of ECEAP sites you have worked for, ECEAP job start and end dates.
  • College information: Names of colleges attended, your majors and minors, graduation dates, course codes and dates for any courses counted toward your ECEAP staff qualifications.
  • Certificate and credential information: Issuer and date of completion.
Step 2: Complete ECEAP Staff Qualification Application in MERIT.
  1. Login to merit.dcyf.wa.gov
  2. Click on the “My Education” tab
  3. Click on the circle next to the words “Complete My Education: enter information about…”
  4. Select “yes” for “I am an ECEAP lead teacher, ECEAP assistant teacher and/or ECEAP family support staff,” if true.
  5. Click on the blue “Go” button
  6. Complete Steps 1-5 by following the directions on each page then clicking “Next”
Step 3: Submit copies of supporting documents.
  • Scan or email copies of your official transcript(s) and certificates to education.verification@centralia.edu.
  • Always include copies of both the front and back of each transcript page. 
  • Keep the original copy of the official transcripts for your personal records. Submit a scanned copy for review.
  • Applications will be withdrawn after 90 days if supporting documents are not received.

DCYF uses Education Awards to recognize and reward the educational achievements of all early learning professionals. Once your education is verified in MERIT, you may be eligible to earn education awards for the following achievements:

  1. Highest level of education
  2. Up to four ECE (early childhood education or early care and education) majors
  3. Up to three ECE certificates and credentials

To receive your award, you must have a Statewide Vendor (SWV) Number listed in your MERIT record. If you do not have a SWV number, you can find the necessary forms and instructions for applying for one:

Apply For a Statewide Vendor Number

For additional information, please see our Education Award Guide

To appeal a decision regarding verified education, training or an ECEAP Staff qualification application, you must submit the Education Appeal Form within 60 days of the decision.

All education must be verified through supporting documents. If unable to upload supporting documents at the end of the education application, please email them to education.verification@centralia.edu.

  • Keep the original copy of the official transcripts for your personal records. Submit a scanned copy for review. Transcripts do not have to come in a sealed envelope.
  • Always include copies of both the front and back of each transcript page.
What is Being Verified?Required Supporting Documentation
High School Diploma or GEDCopy of High School diploma OR GED
College Credits (no degree earned)Copy of official transcript
Completed DegreeCopy of official transcript that includes the degree completion date
Certificate or CredentialCopy of certificate/credential OR copy of official transcript that includes the certificate/ credential completion date
College coursework for In-service training hoursCopy of unofficial transcript

To receive annual in-service training hours for college coursework, complete the “College Coursework” section of the education application and submit copy of unofficial transcript to education.verification@centralia.edu.

1 college quarter credit = 10 in-service training hours

Training

An early learning professional with at least 12 months of cumulative employment must complete 10 hours of annual In-Service training. 

  • Five In-Service training hours may be carried over from one calendar year to the next calendar year. At this time, this carry over is not captured in MERIT. To complete this option, please contact your licensor.
  • “STARS hours” or “state-approved training” are other phrases commonly used when referring to “In-Service training.”
  • Additional information on licensing standards for training is available under the “Training” section.
Options for completing annual In-Service training hours:

Use the "Find Trainings" feature in MERIT to search for state-approved trainings. Trainings are recorded in MERIT by the State-Approved Trainer. If your MERIT record does not reflect your completed training after 30-business days, please contact merit@dcyf.wa.gov.

For learning experiences completed through non-state-approved training, such as attending out of state conferences, you may submit a Continuing Education Proposal (CEP) application to request annual In-Service training hours. Additional information on this option is included in the “Continuing Education Proposal” section below.

To receive annual In-Service training hours for college coursework related to the WA State Core Competencies for Early Care and Education or School-Age Professionals, complete the college “Coursework” section of an Education Application in MERIT and submit copies of unofficial transcripts to education.verification@centralia.edu. Only up to three courses may be submitted per calendar year. All courses must have been completed within the past three years.

Enhancing Quality of Early Learning (EQEL) is a 20 hours training series completed over 2 years. It is broken down into 10 hours each year and fulfills in-service requirements for that year.

Only early learning providers who hired or promoted after Aug. 1, 2019 into one of the following roles must complete the EQEL training:

  • Family home licensee
  • Center Director
  • Assistant director
  • Program supervisor
  • Lead teacher
  • Assistant teacher
'Year 1' EQEL:

DCYF offers online, no cost ‘Year 1’ EQEL training.

  1. Log in to the DCYF Training site at dcyftraining.com.
  2. On the left side, under the Catalog section click on the Cohorts subtab.
  3. Under Role section, select Licensed Child Care box.
  4. All available training cohorts will be listed.
  5. Select the training cohort you would like to complete.
    1. Start and end dates will be listed within the training title
  6. Click on the blue “Register” button to enroll.
  7. After registering, the training cohort will be listed under the In Progress section.
    1. You can access the training modules on the start date of the cohort.
'Year 2' EQEL:
  • Use the “Find Training” tab in MERIT to find available trainings and register.
  • WA ECE Short Certificate
  • WA ECE State Certificate
  • Associates degree in ECE or higher
  • DCYF-recognized education/credential equivalents for WA State ECE Short Certificate or higher*
  • Head Start, ECEAP and School District partnerships

*NOTE: See the Equivalent Options for Education guide for a list of education/credential equivalent examples. The Community Based training and Experience-Based Competency equivalent options are not eligible alternatives for meeting EQEL.

Use any of the following methods to find state-approved trainings for annual In-Service hours or to complete required trainings:

MERIT

Use the “Find Trainings” feature in MERIT to search for in-person, self-paced and online State-Approved trainings.  

DCYF Training Site

Use the DCYF training site to complete some of the required trainings for your role online.

Child Care Basics (CCB) is the initial training to meet the health and safety requirements for educators working in licensed early learning facilities. Included below are all of the various ways you can meet the CCB training requirement. Additional information is available in the Completing CCB guide.

This temporary, condensed version of CCB is no longer available. For those who selected this option, you will need to complete the full CCB version during the 2022 calendar year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2022).

DCYF offers online, no cost Child Care Basics training.

How do I complete this training option?
  1. Log in to the DCYF Training site at dcyftraining.com.
  2. On the left side, under the Catalog section click on the Cohorts subtab.
  3. Under Role section, select Licensed Child Care box.
  4. All available training cohorts will be listed.
  5. Select the training cohort you would like to complete.
    1. Start and end dates will be listed within the training title
  6. Click on the blue “Register” button to enroll.
  7. After registering, the training cohort will be listed under the In Progress section.
    1. Please be aware, you can only access the training modules on the start date of the cohort.

Complete this training online or in-person with a State-Approved trainer. Use the “Find Trainings” feature in MERIT to search for available trainings.

How do I record my CCB requirement in MERIT?
  • The training will be recorded in MERIT by the State-Approved trainer.
  • If your training is not recorded in your MERIT account within 30 days, please contact merit@dcyf.wa.gov and provide a copy of your CCB certificate.

Complete this college course as a DCYF-recognized alternative to CCB. Use the Early Learning Career Planning Portal to find institutions offering this course near you.

How do I record my CCB requirement in MERIT?
  • Complete an education application in MERIT and submit supporting documents that show course completion to education.verification@centralia.edu.
  • For instructions on submitting an education application, please see the “Education Verification” section above.
  • If you submitted an education application for this course before fall 2019 and the CCB requirement was not approved, please contact merit@dcyf.wa.gov.

Complete this college course as a DCYF-recognized alternative to CCB. Use the Early Learning Career Planning Portal to find institutions offering this course near you.

How do I record my CCB requirement in MERIT?
  • Complete an education application in MERIT and submit supporting documents that show course completion to education.verification@centralia.edu.
  • For instructions on submitting an education application, please see the “Education Verification” section above.

To complete this option, you must have both eligible education and all five “Federal Health & Safety Training” modules verified in your MERIT record. This option aims to support individuals who have already completed their education but whose coursework did not include one of the alternative options listed above. Education eligible for this option includes:

  • 12 ECE or ECE/School-Age college quarter credits
  • 13 Military Modules Certificates of Completion
  • A current Child Development Associate (CDA)
  • Montessori Credential/Endorsement (MACTE)
How do I record my CCB requirement in MERIT?

DCYF has partnered with Head Start, ECEAP and School Districts to recognize Health and Safety training content provided by the site or program as meeting state and federal requirements. To complete the CCB requirement through this option, speak with your site supervisor to see if they offer recognized training to staff.

How do I record my CCB requirement in MERIT?
  • Site supervisors are responsible for creating, attesting training plan to DCYF and notifying the date of completion. For additional information, site supervisors may contact training@dcyf.wa.gov.

Use the DCYF training site to complete some of the required trainings for your role.

  1. Visit the DCYF training site at dcyftraining.com.
  2. Click on the “Sign Up” option.
  3. Fill out the required fields.
    1. You must have a STARS ID number.
    2. Your name must match what is listed in MERIT. If you need to change your name in MERIT, contact merit@dcyf.wa.gov.
  4. Create a password.
  5. Click on “Proceed to Your Training” to view the training catalog.
  1. Log in to your account at dcyftraining.com.
  2. Click on “My Account”.
  3. Select “Job Role” type.
    1. If you need to update your program type use the drop down menu.
  4. Click Submit to save changes.
  • If you need to retrieve login information, use the “Forgot your username or password” link on the dcyftraining.com login page. Please check your spam/junk mail folder if you do not immediately see the email in your inbox. If you do not receive the email with your login information, please contact merit@dcyf.wa.gov.
  • If you would like to update your password, complete the following steps:
    1. Log in to your account at dcyftraining.com.
    2. Click on “My Account”.
    3. Enter new password in the “Password” field.
    4. Confirm password.
    5. Click Submit to save changes.

The DCYF Training site will automatically record your completed training in your MERIT Workforce Registry record, as long as the personal identification information in both systems match. If your completed training is not recorded in your MERIT Professional Record, please contact merit@dcyf.wa.gov.

The Continuing Education Proposal (CEP) application allows you to request annual In-Service training hours for a learning opportunity not connected to a state-approved training. You may complete a CEP application for the following types of professional learning experiences: 

In-person or online training, examples may include:
  • Community-based trainings (i.e., training offered by a hospital, Chamber of Commerce or local library)
  • Online webinar or self-paced course
  • Training series (a training that occurred over a period of time)
Conference:
  • In-state events that are not already approved for in-service hours
  • Out-of-state events
You are eligible to submit your learning experience if it meets the following criteria: 
  1. You completed the learning experience within the last 12 months.
  2. The learning experience covers topics that are in the WA State Core Competencies for early care and education or school-age professionals.
  3. You applied what you learned to your work.
  4. The learning experience was at least one hour long.  
Continuing Education Proposal Application Instructions: 

Step 1: Gather your information and supporting documents.

  • Official description of the training: handouts, brochure, link to specific training.
  • Proof of attendance. Must include: title of training, number of hours/credits earned, date of training, your name, name of trainer or organization. 

Step 2: Complete a Continuing Education Proposal application in MERIT.

  1. Login to MERIT at merit.dcyf.wa.gov.
  2. Select the Continuing Education Proposal application in the “My Applications” tab.
  3. Review information included in the “Continuing Education Proposal,” “Personal Info” and “Employment” sections. Click “Next” after each page.
  4. Complete the “Training Information” section:
    • Select the Training Type: Class or Conference.
    • Make sure the training title, start date and end date match your supporting documents.
    • Provide detailed responses to each section to help us understand what you learned, how it relates to your work and how you plan to apply this information in your position.  Each response must be a minimum of 200 words.
    • Complete “Organization Details” section.
  5. Review and Submit.

Step 3: Submit copies of supporting documents to training@dcyf.wa.gov within 30 days.

The application will automatically withdraw if supporting documents are not received within 30 days. We may follow-up with you if more information is needed.

Through the Fair Start for Kids Act (Senate Bill 5237), DCYF is growing trauma-informed care supports for eligible providers. This includes rulemaking and distributing financial awards for completing DCYF-recognized trauma-informed education and training. To learn more about how you can qualify for an award, please visit the Trauma-Informed Care webpage.

DCYF offers reimbursement for state-approved training costs for professionals currently employed in a licensed facility. You may apply for a training reimbursement only once per DCYF fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) for up to $250, while funding is available. The following roles are eligible for training reimbursements:

Child Care Center

  • Center Director
  • Center Assistant Director
  • Center Program Supervisor
  • Center Lead Teacher
  • Center Assistant Teacher
  • Center Aide

Family Home Child Care

  • Family Home Owner
  • Family Home Lead Teacher
  • Family Home Assistant Teacher
  • Family Home Aide

School-Age Program

  • School-Age Program Director
  • School-Age Assistant Director
  • School-Age Site Coordinator
  • School-Age Lead Staff or Group Leader
  • School-Age Child Care Assistant
Training Reimbursement Application Instructions

Step 1: Verify information in your MERIT Professional Record.

  1. Login to MERIT at merit.dcyf.wa.gov.
  2. Click the subtab for “Professional Record.”
  3. Confirm state-approved training is listed in the Annual Continuing Education Training section of your professional record.  
  4. Confirm you have current employment in an eligible job role with a confirmed or verified status listed in the employment section of your MERIT professional record.

Step 2: Complete a Training Reimbursement Application.

  1. In MERIT, select “My Applications” tab.
  2. Select “Training Reimbursement.”
  3. Follow the steps to complete and submit the application.

Step 3: Verify an active Statewide Vendor (SWV) number is listed in your MERIT record.

A Conference/Special Event application is designed to give organizations, practitioners or individuals the option to provide In-Service training hours. This option must be pre-approved.

Conference/Special Event Application Instructions:

Step 1: Verify your training is eligible for In-Service training hours. 

  • Ensure the training aligns with the WA State Core Competencies for early care and education or school-age professionals.
  • Ensure the training has defined learning objectives, allows participants the opportunity to engage with other trainees and apply what is learned. 

Step 2: Gather your information and supporting documents.

  • A description of the purpose of the conference or special event and the target audience (this can be in the form of a brochure, conference flyer or agenda). Additional information may be requested.  

Step 3: Complete a Conference/Special Event application in MERIT.

  1. Login to MERIT at merit.dcyf.wa.gov.
  2. Click on the “My Applications” tab.
  3. Under the Professional Development and Training section, click on “Conference/Special Event Application.”
  4. Select your event type and fill out the organization information and click “Next.”
  5. Fill out the event information, click “Next.”
  6. Fill out the session information, click “Next.”
  7. Review and submit. 

Step 4: Submit copies of supporting documents to training@dcyf.wa.gov. 

  • The application and supporting documentation must be received at least 21 days before the training event to allow us time to review.
  • Incomplete applications automatically withdraw 30 days after the submission date.

State Approved Trainer Resources

Create a Training Using a Template in MERIT
  1. From your MERIT profile, select the ‘State-Approved Trainer’ tab.
  2. Click on ‘Create Training’.
  3. From the dropdown menu select the training template of choice.
  4. Complete all required fields.
  5. Advance to page 2, complete all required fields.
  6. Click ‘Save’.
Adding Participants to Your Roster
  1. Click on “Roster”.
  2. Click on “Click here to add an attendee to the roster”.
    1. Participants can be added to your roster as a placeholder even if they do not have a STARS ID.
    2. Only participants with a STARS ID will be given credit even if they are on your roster.

Note: Please give your participants a certificate of completion. They will need this for verification purposes.

Questions? Email training@dcyf.wa.gov

Early Achievers

DCYF determines your early learning program’s quality level based on points that you have earned throughout the three-year Quality Recognition Cycle. Early Achievers Quality Levels are valid for three years from the most recent finalization date.

Use the "Quality Recognition Frameworks" sub-tab in MERIT to:

  • View your projected points and Quality Level
  • Finalize your Quality Level in MERIT once you’ve reached the number of points for the Quality Level you want to achieve

To be eligible to finalize a Quality Level, your program must meet the following:

  • Licensed programs must achieve a Quality Level of 3
  • ECEAP or Early ECEAP programs must achieve a Quality Level of 4 or 5.

To learn more about how to achieve each Quality Level see Early Achievers Quality Standards and Criteria.

Step 1: Determine if you are ready to finalize your Quality Level in MERIT by reviewing your projected points and Quality Level in MERIT.

  • Login to MERIT at merit.dcyf.wa.gov
  • Click on the “Facility/Site” tab
  • Click on the “Quality Recognition Framework” tab
  • Review the following information located in the “Finalize My Quality Level” section:
    • Total Projected Points - This shows the total number of projected points you would have if you finalized your Quality Level right now
    • Projected Level - This shows the projected level you would earn if you finalized your Quality Level right now

Step 2: To finalize your current Quality Level Click the “Finalize My Quality Level” button in MERIT.

  • If you accidently finalize your Quality Level before you are ready, please contact QRIS@dcyf.wa.gov as soon as possible. Quality Levels may only be withdrawn within 30 days of finalizing.