SCDSS Celebrates 25 Years of the TEACH Early Childhood® Scholarship Program

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SCDSS Celebrates 25 Years of the TEACH Early Childhood^® Scholarship Program

March 9, 2026 - The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) is excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the TEACH Early Childhood^® Scholarship program (TEACH). This initiative has supported thousands of early education professionals in advancing their careers and improving the quality of care for young children across the state since 2001.

“For 25 years, TEACH has been a cornerstone of our commitment to children and families in South Carolina,” said Tony Catone, SCDSS state director. “By investing in the education and professional growth of early childhood teachers, we are directly investing in the future success of our state’s children. This milestone reflects the dedication of our educators and the lasting impact of this program on communities statewide.”

Administered by SC Endeavors, TEACH provides scholarships for child care professionals to earn their credentials, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at participating colleges and universities. By assisting with tuition, books, and other educational expenses, TEACH makes higher education more accessible and affordable, while promoting workforce stability and quality improvement in early care programs.

“TEACH provides many benefits for the early childhood field, including increasing workforce skills, compensation, and program quality,” said Melissa Starker, SC Endeavors director. “For 25 years, TEACH has been instrumental in helping create educational pathways for the early care and education workforce.”

Throughout the year, SCDSS will celebrate the 25th anniversary by sharing a series of videos including testimonies from scholarship recipients and early leadership who helped bring the program to South Carolina. These stories will showcase how the TEACH scholarship has opened doors, strengthened classrooms, and empowered educators to lead with excellence.

For more information about the TEACH Early Childhood^® Scholarship program, visit scendeavors.org.

About SC Endeavors
SC Endeavors is the professional development system designed for South Carolina’s early childhood workforce. It supports pathways for advancing professional knowledge and skills. As a key component of the South Carolina Department of Social Services Division of Early Care and Education, SC Endeavors enhances opportunities, resources, and tools for early education professionals.

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