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Home > Good Beginnings' Work> HCYC> Professional Development> T.E.A.C.H.> PACE Model

T.E.A.C.H. - PACE Reimbursement Scholarship Model

PACE Brochure PACE Model

This year the Department of Human Services, a major funding source for T.E.A.C.H., decided not to issue a Request for Porposal (RFP) for scholarships to support Early Childhood Education Degrees. Therefore, no new T.E.A.C.H. scholarship contracts are being issued. The Hawaii Roundtable's support via the Hawaii Early Education Fund and a grant from theJeanette and Harry Weinberg Foundation will enable the fulfillment of all current contracts through the end of Spring 2006. Good Beginnings Alliance continues to work towards identifying dedicated resources to support degree foucsed scholarships for early childhood professionals.

In addition to having a Model that helps early childhood professionals earn an Associate Degree or take coursework in early childhood, T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) Early Childhood® HAWAII also offers a Reimbursement Scholarships for PACE coursework completed and converted into credits through Honolulu Community College and Hawaii Community College.

What is PACE?

The Honolulu and Hawaii Community Colleges offers our early care professionals with a unique program called Professional and Career Education for Early Childhood (PACE). PACE makes education and training more accessible to practitioners by bringing early childhood classes into the communities that they live and/or work in. PACE takes four early childhood courses and "breaks" them into 16 classes each. After the participant completes all 16 classes, the individual may convert them into 3 college credits.

Many professionals use the PACE program as their first step toward earning their Associate Degree because it is conveniently located and accommodates their work schedules. Other practitioners use PACE to meet their 120 clock hours for their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or the 3 credits needed to renew their CDA. Directors also support PACE because the program meets their in-service training needs.

Who can participate?

Any teacher, assistant and/or aide or family child care provider who is employed in a Department of Human Services (DHS)licensed child care center or a licensed family child care home is eligible to apply. Applicants must be working a minimum of 20 hours a week. Any center that is licensed through the DHS may sponsor an employee on the program.

What makes T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® HAWAII so unique?

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® HAWAII is different because it creates a partnership to share expenses and links professional development and training to quality care for young children, retention in the field, and compensation. This is done through four components: Scholarship, Education, Compensation, and Commitment.
Scholarship: Scholarships from T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® HAWAII are given for PACE classes completed after it is converted into college credits. The conversion must occur within 6 months of applying for the reimbursement scholarship. If the applicant is given a scholarship, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® HAWAII will reimburse the applicant or center for 85% of the cost, depending on which party paid for the coursework and books. If the center and the employee both paid for tuition and books, the reimbursement will be made out to the center and it is up to the center and recipient to determine each party's share.
Education: Since scholarships from T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® HAWAII are on a reimbursement basis, the applicant is required to provide the program with proof that he/she has converted the PACE coursework into 3 credits at either Honolulu or Hawaii Community College. Proof on conversion also acts as proof that the applicant has completed all coursework and passed all capstones.
Compensation: After the applicant is given a scholarship the center agrees to award the recipient with either a $100 bonus or a 1% raise. T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® HAWAII will award the recipient with a $100 bonus in 6 months if the recipient is still working at the center that sponsored him/her on the scholarship.
Commitment: To say "mahalo" to the employing center for the support of their education and professional development, the recipient agrees to stay with their center for an additional 6 months after the scholarship is awarded. This provides the recipient with time to practice the use the knowledge and skills gained through his/her education. Above all it provides them with an opportunity to provide consistent, quality care to the young children in their employing center.
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How much money does a center spend on their employee?

The average cost to earn 3 college credits through PACE is $276. The average cost of one text book is $57. Since T.E.A.C.H. reimburses for 85% of the cost of books and tuition, the center's investment is $46.95. Please keep in mind that this is an estimate and is subject to change. The amount of money the center pays for the compensation component would depend on the recipient's hourly wages and whether or not the center decides to offer a 1% raise or a $100 bonus.

How many scholarships may an individual apply for?

Applicants may apply for a maximum of three reimbursements.

Are centers obligated to support an employee through three PACE courses?

While a center may choose to support an employee until they complete three PACE courses, it is not a requirement. T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® HAWAII realizes that a center may not be able to financially support their employee on multiple contracts.

Who benefits from T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® HAWAII?

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® HAWAII benefits, not only the scholarship recipient, but the center and its other employees as well. Since the program is only responsible for paying a small share of the books and tuition (15%), the center is able to stretch its existing professional development funds to benefit more staff members.

By directly linking education, compensation and commitment to the early childhood field T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® HAWAII has helped reduce turnover and improve the quality care young children receive in over 20 centers since the program began in 2001. Center directors have found this to be the most rewarding part of T.E.A.C.H. because they have been able to provide consistent quality care to young children.

For more information about the PACE program at Honolulu Community College, please call 845-9496 or you may visit their website at honolulu.hawaii.edu/pace.

For more information about the PACE program at Hawaii Community College, please call 933-0571 or you may visit their website at hawcc.hawaii.edu/ece/PACE.

For more information on the PACE Reimbursement Scholarship Model, please contact T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® HAWAII at 531-5502 or toll free at 1-866-531-5502.

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