Child care directors learn about T.E.A.C.H. and Health Check/NC Health Choice

(10/03) -- Thanks to the work of a Covering Kids & Families Child Care Interest Group, Child Care Directors who attend one of 6 regional meetings during late October/early November will receive a folder of Health Check/Health Choice information.

And the best part is that this is directly related to another benefit of their job - the T.E.A.C.H. Project.

The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Project is an initiative that provides scholarships for teachers, directors and family child care providers to return to school and further their education.

Recipients receive bonus pay upon successful completion of each level of education. In return, they must commit to a year of continued child care service following their training. In addition, the T.E.A.C.H. Project will cover 1/3rd of the cost of the employee's health insurance if the center pays at least 1/3rd and the individual covers the difference.

The center must verify that each staff member with dependent children has those children covered by health insurance or that staff members with uninsured children have applied for coverage through Health Check/Health Choice. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Project benefits child care staff and the children they serve.

It's also a wonderful opportunity to do outreach for Health Check/Health Choice. Once a child care provider personally benefits from children's health insurance programs, then they are more likely to encourage the families they serve to apply.

If you wish to learn more about T.E.A.C.H., visit www.childcareservices.org.