In this Issue
- Child Care WAGE$ Florida WORKS!
- Spotlight On: Afterschool Initiatives
- Forum Corner
- Children's Week at the Capitol Largest Turnout in Years
- Worst to First: A Campaign to Put Florida's Kids First
- Attend the One Goal Conference: Building the Future Together
- Celebrate Provider Appreciation Day May 8
- Legislative Updates
- State and National News
- Early Learning Coalition Briefs
- Calendar of Events
Legislative Updates
Funding Renewed for the Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) Early Childhood® Scholarship Program
The Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) Early Childhood® Scholarship Program, a scholarship model that increases education and compensation and reduces turnover in early care and education programs, will receive a minimum of $3 million in funding over the next fiscal year. The funding, provided from the Child Care and Development Block Grant Trust Fund, was maintained at the previous year's funding level.
The Agency for Workforce Innovation-Office of Early Learning contracts with the Children's Forum to administer the T.E.A.C.H. program that serves more than 3,000 teachers statewide. Other funders at the state and local levels supplement state efforts to expand the availability of scholarship for teachers. Teachers and their employers must also assume a portion of the costs which represents a three-way commitment.
"Considering the economic climate and challenges, we are thrilled to be able to maintain the T.E.A.C.H. program," said Phyllis Kalifeh, President and CEO of the Children's Forum. "Many recipients would never be able to increase their education and earn credentials without the necessary funding that T.E.A.C.H. provides. It is a victory for those who care for and educate young children and ultimately, the children are the benefactors."
2009 Legislative Session
Visit the following partner of the Children's Forum that provides detailed information on the 2009 Florida legislative session and how it will impact Florida's citizens: