Legislative Updates

Massive budget cuts affected the 2008 Florida legislative session, in what numerous lawmakers called the worst crisis our state has seen in decades. Programs that assist vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly population, were severely impacted by these cuts.

Although the 2008 session is one that many would rather forget, the funding for the T.E.A.C.H. early childhood scholarship program that reduces turnover in early care and education programs, increases education and compensation was maintained at the prior year's funding level of $3 million.

View Full Story

"This is significant and so critically important for teachers working in a typically low-paying field to increase their knowledge and skills to improve outcomes for young children" commented Ann Levy, Ph.D., retired educator and former legislative staffer. The Agency for Workforce Innovation-Office of Early Learning contracts with the Forum to administer the 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. "Many scholarship recipients would never be able to increase their education and earn credentials without the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship," commented Lori Stegmeyer, Director of Workforce Initiatives at the Children's Forum. "The average rate of compensation for teachers in early care and education programs is around $9.00 per hour. They simply could not afford to consider college as an option." Teachers and their employers must also assume a portion of the costs which represents a three-way commitment. "We have a history of success with the program," commented Phyllis Kalifeh. "The data are strong that the program works and achieves the goals that are intended."

Below is a summary of other legislation passed this session relating to Early Learning (House Bill 879):

Allows the Agency for Workforce Innovation to adopt rules that would permit VPK providers to utilize substitute instructors who are not credentialed VPK instructors in limited circumstances
Provides that accrediting associations have written standards that meet the state's licensing requirements and document at least one on-site visit of the provider or school before accreditation can be granted for the VPK program
Improves quality by ensuring that child care centers that are license exempt are accredited by an association that at a minimum conducts one on-site visit and has health and safety standards that meet the state's requirements
Authorizes the 31 early learning coalitions to utilize telecommunications and/or videoconferencing to conduct meetings in a more efficient manner
Clarifies early learning laws by renumbering the Child Care Resource and Referral requirements and the Child Care Executive Partnership program to chapter 411, Florida Statutes.

Hide Story

In this Issue

Legislative Updates