T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship Program
The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship Program (T.E.A.C.H.) is an evidence-based strategy that helps to establish a well-qualified, fairly-compensated, and stable workforce for Florida’s children. Funded by the Florida Department of Education – Division of Early Learning, T.E.A.C.H. provides scholarships and additional supports for early learning educators, directors, and owners working toward early learning credentials, college credits, and degrees in early childhood education.
Early Childhood Educator INCENTIVE$ Florida
Early Childhood Educator INCENTIVE$ Florida rewards early learning educators with annual financial stipends as they further their education and maintain continuous employment. As an affiliate of the Child Care WAGE$® Program, INCENTIVE$ motivates participants to pursue higher education and provides children with more stable relationships in their classrooms.
Help Me Grow® Florida
Help Me Grow® Florida (HMGF) promotes the healthy development of all children by providing access to free developmental and behavioral screenings and connecting families to the resources they need to succeed. By building cross-sector collaboration among community agencies, child healthcare professionals, and early childhood educators, HMGF addresses the critical importance of early detection and intervention.
Child Care Evaluation Services Unit
The Child Care Evaluation Services Unit (CCESU) assists child care program owners/operators with becoming a Gold Seal Quality Care Program and maintains the state database of Gold Seal providers. CCESU also evaluates associations who have applied for Gold Seal Quality Care Program accreditation. In addition, CCESU determines eligibility of and monitors programs that provide the Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC) training.
Children’s Week Florida™
Children’s Week Florida™ is the largest event held in the state that celebrates and honors its commitment to children, teens, and advocates. As the Organizing Partner for Children’s Week Florida™, the Forum has taken the lead with helping to bring thousands of attendees to the State Capitol each year during the legislative session. Together with our partners, we speak as “One Voice” to deliver the message that every child should be healthy, ready to learn, and able to achieve their full potential.
Children's Forum Membership Program
The Children’s Forum provides affordable and valuable membership opportunities for early learning educators, directors, FCCH and out-of-school time educators, as well as other professionals in the field. Members become part of a community of advocates who are committed to supporting investments in early learning initiatives.
Forum Forward Corporate Membership
The Forum Forward Corporate Membership program provides an exclusive opportunity to collaborate among a cadre of business executives, policy experts, stakeholders, and leaders in the early care and education community! Designed to align with our mission, Forum Forward is ideal for organizations that wish to increase their organization’s impact in the early learning field, learn more about the legislative process, and connect with decision-makers and thought leaders.
Early Learning Career Center (ELCC)
The Early Learning Career Center (ELCC) offers professional development services to all early learning programs and educators in Miami-Dade County. The ELCC, which is part of the Miami-Dade Early Learning Quality Improvement System (QIS), provides career advising and TCT Educator Scholarships in support of a diverse workforce.
Professional Development Registry Services
The Children’s Forum maintains two professional development registries: the Miami-Dade Professional Development Registry and the Palm Beach County Training Registry. These registries provide a central database to record the workforce qualifications of early learning educators, such as employment history, compensation, benefits, credentials earned, and college courses/training activities completed.
Assessment and Coaching Services Unit
The Children’s Forum holds a contract with the Florida Division of Early Learning for providing Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) observation and coaching services within each county in Florida. The Forum offers CLASS® services to early learning coalitions, Head Start agencies, and other entities to help them meet state and federal program assessment requirements and improve early childhood classroom practices.
For additional information, please call 850-487-6300 and ask to speak with the Assessment and Coaching Services Unit.
À la carte Services
Consultation Services: Do you have some creative ideas you would like to turn into proposals or projects? We can assist in the development process by consulting with you on potential challenges, resources, and opportunities. We know early care and education in Florida and can help you navigate the system.
Develop and Refine Grant Proposals: We can support your team in developing professional and comprehensive proposals (e.g., responding to RFPs, RFAs, and ITNs). Services may include helping to prepare an outline for the response, editing and reviewing a draft written product, and providing feedback on potential gaps and omissions.
Research and Program Evaluation: If you are interested in conducting research or program evaluation efforts, we have the experience, knowledge, and expertise to do the work for you. We can ensure that key stakeholders are included, data are valid and reliable, and the final report is aligned to the audiences who will consume the information. We are also available to draft policy briefs and to conduct comprehensive formative and summative program evaluations.
Virtual Training: We know that planning webinars and conferences is time-consuming. Let our team of experts plan your next online event. From breakout rooms during conference sessions to providing a stage for you to deliver your message, we can help make your virtual event unforgettable.
In-Person Training: Do you need a keynote speaker for your next event? Are you looking for qualified and reliable training opportunities for your employees or conference attendees? We have you covered! From effective leadership and advocacy in early care and education to fostering secure attachment with infants and toddlers and biting prevention, we have the skills and expertise to make your next training interactive, informative, and engaging.
Coaching: We offer coaching to enhance the quality of early learning teacher’s interactions with young children in their classrooms. Our team of certified coaches are ready to provide bilingual, in-person, and virtual services throughout Florida.
Assessments: With over 70 certified CLASS® assessors, we stand ready to conduct child care program assessments throughout Florida. We are one of only two Florida Division of Early Learning approved vendors for providing SR and VPK program assessments.
For additional information on our programs and services, please call our office at 850-487-6300.