(c) Workforce development grant award amounts shall be determined based on the following criteria:

1. (1) Demonstrated need for early learning and care professionals in each county or region.
2. (2) The cost of living in each county or region.
3. (3) The number of children under 13 years of age in each county or region who are in a family whose income is up to 85 percent of the state median income.

(d) Workforce development grants may be used for costs associated with the educational expenses of current and future early learning and care professionals that move those professionals along the early learning and care career lattice and support their attainment of increased education or English language proficiency, as well as professional development in early childhood instruction or child development, including developing competencies in serving children with exceptional needs and dual language learners. Allowable uses of funds include:

1. (1) Tuition, supplies, and other related educational expenses.
2. (2) Transportation and child care costs incurred as a result of attending classes.
3. (3) Substitute teacher pay for early learning and care professionals that are currently working in a subsidized early learning and care setting.
4. (4) Stipends and professional development expenses, aligned to the Quality Counts California professional development system in that area, as determined by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
5. (5) Career, course, and professional development coaching, counseling, and navigation services.
6. (6) Other educational expenses as determined by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.