Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (TEACH)

The Florida Department of Education, Division of Early Learning, is posting notice of an intended single-source purchase for continued administration of the Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (TEACH) scholarship program, with responses due October 12, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. The intended single-source vendor is Children's Forum, Inc.; interested parties may submit information describing their capability to provide the described services, but the agency reserves the right to proceed with the single-source contract if no qualifying alternatives emerge.

The scope is administration of a five-year scholarship program (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031) serving caregivers, administrators, and staff of early childhood programs, family day care homes, large family child care homes, and Early Learning Coalition staff. The program provides scholarships enabling participants to earn the Child Development Associate credential, Florida Staff Credential, Associate or Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, Master's degree in early childhood educational leadership, and the Florida Director Credential.

The estimated total contract value is $60 million over five fiscal years: $50 million for the base five-year period ($10 million per fiscal year) plus a $10 million amendment for fiscal year 2026–2027. The single-source justification rests on Children's Forum's existing program administration and the specialized, ongoing nature of scholarship administration for early childhood workforce development. Place of performance is Leon County, Florida (administrative oversight by the Florida Department of Education, Division of Early Learning). Prospective vendors should send responses to the contract person listed in the posting by the October 12 deadline.