DC LEAD
Degree Completion and Advancement for Early Childhood Educators
Supporting DC's early childhood educators in earning college degrees from associate to bachelor's,
so every child has a qualified, stable educator in their classroom.
Building a Highly Qualified Early Learning Workforce
DC LEAD — DC Leading Educators toward Advanced Degrees — is a citywide workforce initiative providing scholarships and incentives to eligible child care educators.
Administered by Southeast Children's Fund on behalf of OSSE, the program guides educators from eligibility through degree completion
across four interconnected components.
Tuition coverage, book reimbursement, bonuses, stipends, and financial incentives to keep educators enrolled and employed throughout the program.
Scholarships support associate and bachelor's degrees in Early Childhood Education, aligned with OSSE workforce standards and the District's education goals.
SCF partners with 9 colleges and universities across DC and the region to expand access to ECE degree pathways for educators at every stage.
A dedicated DC LEAD advisor, mentor, optional paid release time, and laptop access help scholars persist from enrollment through graduation.
Strengthening Educator Outcomes
& Early Learning Systems
DC LEAD is designed to address both educational attainment and workforce stability, contributing to stronger early learning environments citywide.
Supporting high-quality early care and education services for young children and families by strengthening the knowledge and instructional capacity of educators in the field.
Helping educators earn credentials aligned with OSSE's minimum education requirements, strengthening professional practice and instructional quality across programs.
Increasing stability and retention across child development programs by reducing financial and academic barriers that drive turnover in early learning settings.
Opening pathways to increased compensation opportunities and long-term career growth for early childhood educators committed to the profession.
Scholarships supporting coursework toward associate and bachelor's degrees in ECE that align with District workforce standards and early learning goals.
Addressing workforce instability across the birth–grade 3 continuum, contributing to coherent early learning environments citywide for children, families, and communities.
Supporting the Entire Early Learning Ecosystem
DC LEAD serves multiple stakeholders across Washington, DC's early childhood landscape, from individual educators to providers, funders, and policymakers.
Educators working in OSSE-licensed child development facilities across DC who are seeking to earn associate or bachelor's degrees in ECE and advance their careers in early learning.
Programs and centers looking to strengthen staff retention, improve instructional quality, and ensure their educators meet OSSE's minimum education requirements.
Those focused on workforce development, educational equity, and system-level impact. DC LEAD demonstrates what targeted investment in educator advancement can achieve at scale.
Removing Barriers to Degree Completion
Early childhood educators face persistent, real barriers to earning degrees — cost, time constraints, and balancing work with academic responsibilities — contributing to workforce turnover and uneven access to qualified educators across DC.
"Degree attainment supports instructional quality, professional growth, and long-term workforce sustainability, benefiting children, families, and the broader early education system."
Ready to Apply?
The DC LEAD scholarship and incentive program launched in June 2022 and is available to eligible child care educators working in OSSE-licensed child development facilities across Washington, DC.
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We're Here to Help
For questions related to DC LEAD or resources for child care educators, reach out to the DC LEAD team directly or contact the OSSE Early Childhood Education Help Desk.
As DC LEAD continues to evolve, SCF remains committed to strengthening degree pathways, deepening alignment with early learning employers, and ensuring that educational attainment translates into long-term workforce stability across the birth through grade 3 continuum.
DC LEAD Partner Institutions
DC LEAD partners with colleges and universities to provide diverse higher education pathways for scholarship recipients across Washington, DC.
University of the Potomac
Rasmussen University
Denmark Technical College
University of the District of Columbia
NOVA Northern Virginia Community College
Montgomery College
Prince George's Community College
Trinity Washington University
Program Resources
Reach the DC LEAD team for questions about the program, eligibility, or scholar support.