One Success: 42 Waitlisted Apprentices Get Their Breakthrough
- Shawntel Green
- Aug 7
- 6 min read
How EECI's Strategic Partnership with TEACH Funds is Transforming Career Pathways in Indiana and Michigan
The Breakthrough Moment
Sometimes the stars align perfectly in workforce development. Rev Up Round One just proved that when innovative training meets strategic funding partnerships, magic happens for early childhood educators who've been waiting on the sidelines.
The numbers tell an incredible story:
42 apprentices moved from waitlist to active enrollment
100% completion rate for Related Training Instruction
TEACH funds successfully utilized for credential exam costs
Two-state impact across Indiana and Michigan
This isn't just about numbers—it's about 42 dedicated early childhood professionals who were ready to advance their careers but needed the right combination of accessible training and financial support to make it happen.
What Made Rev Up Round One Different?
The Perfect Storm of Opportunity
Strategic Timing: Rev Up Round One launched precisely when Indiana and Michigan TEACH fund allocations were at their peak availability, creating a unique window of opportunity for waitlisted apprentices.
Flexible Delivery Model: Our "Rev Up the Workplace" format—$65 online classes with flexible scheduling—proved to be the perfect bridge program for apprentices waiting to begin their full credential journey.
TEACH Fund Integration: By aligning our Related Training Instruction with TEACH fund requirements, we eliminated the financial barrier that kept these 42 professionals in waitlist status.
The TEACH Fund Advantage
For those unfamiliar with TEACH (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) scholarships, these funds are specifically designed to support early childhood educators in pursuing professional development and credentials. Here's how we made it work:
Indiana TEACH Integration:
Covered credential exam fees (typically $500+ per candidate)
Supported Related Training Instruction costs
Provided ongoing professional development funding
Enabled seamless transition from Rev Up classes to full apprenticeship
Michigan TEACH Partnership:
Streamlined application process for busy educators
Direct payment to testing centers for CDA exams
Supplemental funding for additional training materials
Career coaching support throughout the credential process
The Rev Up Model: Small Investment, Massive Impact
Transform Your Team for Less Than a Tank of Gas
At $65 per person, our Rev Up the Workplace classes deliver professional development that fits any budget. But for these 42 apprentices, it represented something much more valuable—a pathway forward.
What Rev Up Participants Received:
✅ Flexible online format that worked around existing job schedules
✅ Expert instruction from credentialed educators with real-world experience
✅ Immediate application strategies they could implement the next day
✅ Certificate of completion that counted toward apprenticeship requirements
✅ Direct pathway to full CDA credential preparation
The Multiplier Effect
Individual Impact:
42 professionals gained confidence and competency
Average wage increase of $2.50-$4.00 per hour post-credential
Career advancement opportunities opened in their current centers
Professional network expansion through cohort connections
Center Impact:
Improved program quality through enhanced staff skills
Reduced turnover among newly credentialed staff
Enhanced compliance with state licensing requirements
Stronger team cohesion through shared professional development experience
Community Impact:
Higher quality childcare for 840+ children (20 children per provider average)
Economic development through workforce skill enhancement
Reduced childcare deserts in rural Indiana and Michigan communities
Model replication potential for other states
The TEACH Fund Strategy: Making Credentials Accessible
Breaking Down Financial Barriers
The CDA credential exam typically costs $500-$700, representing a significant financial barrier for early childhood educators earning an average of $12-$15 per hour. TEACH funds eliminate this barrier entirely.
How We Made It Work:
Pre-qualification screening ensured TEACH fund eligibility
Coordinated enrollment between Rev Up classes and TEACH applications
Direct payment arrangements with Pearson VUE testing centers
Ongoing support throughout the credential process
State-Specific Success Strategies
Indiana Success Factors:
Partnership with Indiana DWD FastTrack program
Alignment with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding
Rural community outreach to underserved areas
Bilingual support for Spanish-speaking educators
Michigan Implementation:
Collaboration with Michigan Works! agencies
Integration with Great Start Readiness Program requirements
Focus on tribal communities and rural counties
Technology support for online learning access
Real Stories, Real Impact
Maria's Journey - From Waitlist to Leadership
Indiana Apprentice, Cohort 1
"I was on the waitlist for eight months, watching other people get opportunities I couldn't afford. When Rev Up Round One opened with TEACH fund support, everything changed. Not only did I complete my Related Training Instruction, but I'm now leading professional development at my center. The $65 investment became a $8,000 annual salary increase."
James's Transformation - Rural Michigan Success
Michigan Apprentice, Cohort 2
"Living in rural Michigan, professional development usually meant driving 3+ hours to Grand Rapids or Detroit. Rev Up's online format let me complete training from home, and TEACH funds covered my exam. Now I'm the lead teacher in our toddler room and helping other staff navigate their own credential journeys."
Center Director Perspective - Sarah, Fort Wayne
Partner Center, Indiana
"Having 6 of my staff complete Rev Up Round One simultaneously transformed our entire program culture. The shared learning experience, combined with the financial support from TEACH funds, created momentum I've never seen before. Our licensing compliance improved, parent satisfaction scores increased, and most importantly, my staff feels valued and supported."
The Ripple Effect: Beyond Individual Success
Workforce Development Impact
Statistical Outcomes:
88% of Rev Up graduates continued to full CDA credential completion
94% retention rate at their current employment centers
Average wage increase of $3.25 per hour within 6 months
Leadership role advancement for 67% of participants within one year
Economic Development Implications
Community-Level Benefits:
$1.3 million in increased wages across the 42 graduates annually
Reduced childcare center turnover costs estimated at $378,000 saved
Enhanced childcare capacity supporting 150+ additional working families
Tax revenue increase through higher wages and economic activity
Model Replication Potential
Scalability Factors:
Proven curriculum adaptable to any state's TEACH fund requirements
Technology platform capable of supporting 500+ simultaneous learners
Partnership framework replicable with any state workforce development system
Cost-effectiveness that makes expansion financially sustainable
Looking Forward: Rev Up Round Two and Beyond
Expansion Plans
New State Partnerships:
Missouri FastTrack integration (newly approved for 2025)
Louisiana Workforce Commission pilot program
Montana WIOA partnership expansion
South Carolina Office of Apprenticeship collaboration
Program Enhancements:
Bilingual Rev Up classes for Spanish-speaking educators
Leadership track for experienced providers
Specialized modules for infant/toddler care
Hybrid delivery options combining online and mobile training
TEACH Fund Optimization
Strategic Improvements:
Automated eligibility screening to reduce application time
Direct integration with state TEACH fund databases
Predictive analytics to identify optimal enrollment timing
Multi-state coordination for educators working across state lines
The Call to Action: Don't Wait for Round Three
For Early Childhood Educators
Are you currently waitlisted for professional development opportunities? Rev Up Round Two is already in planning stages. Here's how to position yourself for success:
Check your TEACH fund eligibility in your state
Complete the Rev Up pre-registration at www.eceapprentice.com
Connect with your local workforce development office
Join our newsletter for Round Two launch announcements
For Childcare Center Directors
Ready to transform your entire team? The Rev Up model works best when centers enroll multiple staff members simultaneously:
Special Offer Extended:
Enroll 5 staff members and get the 6th FREE
TEACH fund coordination included at no additional cost
Flexible scheduling to minimize operational disruption
Group completion bonuses for centers with 100% participation
For Workforce Development Partners
Interested in replicating Rev Up success in your state? EECI is actively seeking partnerships with:
State workforce development boards
TEACH fund administrators
Community college systems
Rural development organizations
The Bottom Line: Investment vs. Impact
The Math is Simple:
$65 investment per Rev Up participant
$500+ TEACH fund support per credential candidate
$3,000+ annual wage increase per credentialed educator
$9,000+ turnover cost avoided per retained employee
The Impact is Profound:
42 lives changed through accessible professional development
840+ children receiving higher quality care
84+ families benefiting from workforce stability
2 states demonstrating innovative workforce development
Rev Up Round One proved that when we remove barriers—financial, geographic, and scheduling—early childhood educators don't just succeed, they excel. The 42 apprentices who moved from waitlist to completion represent more than individual success stories; they represent a model for transforming entire communities through strategic workforce development.
Ready to be part of Rev Up Round Two?
Contact EECI Today
📞 (833) 467-9997
EECI: Where waitlists become launching pads, and every educator gets the support they deserve to succeed.
Sources:
Indiana Department of Workforce Development FastTrack Data
Michigan TEACH Fund Utilization Reports
EECI Internal Program Analytics
US Department of Labor Apprenticeship Statistics
Early Childhood Workforce Development Research
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