CONTACT:

Jennifer Gallo, Community Public Relations Coordinator
302-479-1691

For Immediate Release: August 15, 2005

DELAWARE’S T.E.A.C.H EARLY CHILDHOOD ® PROJECT MARKS ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

(WILMINGTON, DE)— Since the program’s inception in August 2004, The Family & Workplace Connection (FWC) has awarded scholarships to 65 child care providers to attend college or complete their CDA through Delaware’s T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) Early Childhood Project. T.E.A.C.H. provides scholarships for CDA and coursework leading toward an Associate Degree in Early Childhood. Children and families benefit from T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood because of its impact on quality indicators: a more stable, consistent workforce that is educated in the field of early childhood, and a community committed to supporting the field. The scholarships link increased education to increased compensation and requires recipients and sponsoring early childhood programs to share the cost. The project, begun in North Carolina in 1990 by Child Care Services Association, has been replicated in 23 states and is administered in Delaware by The Family & Workplace Connection. According to Child Care Services Association, child care providers who receive college scholarships through the T.E.A.C.H. Project, took more college courses, received better pay, and generally stayed longer in their child care programs.

“Over the past year, I have spoken to many of the T.E.A.C.H. Scholars and have been amazed at how they have grown through this program,” said Evelyn Keating, Provider Services Director of The Family & Workplace Connection. “Each has gained confidence and knowledge, while feeling more professional. As each Scholar works toward their degree, the children in their program will have better outcomes, at a result.”

Paula Holloway, a family child care provider in New Castle County and recipient of T.E.A.C.H. scholarship money, felt that by earning her Associate Degree and thereby having a solid background in early childhood education, it would not only benefit her, but the children in her care, as well. Ms. Holloway states, “I have already implemented information that I have learned in my early childhood education courses and I have T.E.A.C.H. to thank for this. I am looking forward to the future educational challenges that the T.E.A.C.H. program makes possible.”

In Delaware, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® scholarships are available to anyone who works at least 30 hours per week in a licensed Delaware child care facility; has a minimum of one year’s experience in an early care or school-age center or who is a Level 2 family child care provider; earns less than $15/hour; and is committed to remaining in the field. Funding for the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Project has been made possible through generous contributions from the Delaware Departments of Education, Health and Social Services, Services for Children, Youth and Their Families; City of Wilmington; Social Venture Partners; and PNC Foundation. Scholarship costs range from $501 to $2,219. The mission of The Family & Workplace Connection is to enhance the supply and quality of care and education for children and elders and to help families effectively manage their work and personal life responsibilities.

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