Three Decades of Real Impact
Since 1994, SCF has invested in the educators who shape the first and most formative years of a child's life
building a stronger, more equitable early childhood workforce across Washington, DC.
Educators at the heart of every community
SCF primarily serves nontraditional early childhood educators adult learners balancing work, family, and education who are deeply rooted in the communities they serve.
Women & Caregivers
The vast majority of DC's early childhood workforce are women many of them caregivers themselves. SCF removes barriers so they can advance without stepping away from their families or classrooms.
First-Generation Students
Many SCF scholars are the first in their families to pursue higher education. We provide the financial support, mentorship, and pathways to make degree completion a reality.
Multilingual Learners
DC's neighborhoods are rich with cultural and linguistic diversity. SCF supports educators who reflect that richness ensuring children see themselves in the adults who care for them.
Long-Time Community Members
The educators we serve are often deeply embedded in their neighborhoods trusted by the families they work with. SCF strengthens their capacity to serve the next generation.
Impact that sticks
SCF measures impact not just by participation, but by outcomes that matter to educators, providers, and the families they serve.
Educator Preparation & Advancement
- Increased access to nationally recognized credentials & postsecondary degrees
- Stronger alignment with workforce standards
- Clearer career pathways from entry-level to advanced degrees
Workforce Retention & Stability
- Reduced barriers to degree completion while employed
- Increased persistence among adult learners
- Improved staff stability within early learning programs
Instructional Quality & Practice
- Practice-based training that strengthens classroom instruction
- Scenario-based learning for real-world environments
- Better equipped to support children's development
The story so far
A community responds
Southeast Children's Fund is established in Washington, DC, born from a recognition that early educators in under-resourced communities needed dedicated, sustained support.
Credentialing at scale
SCF launches structured CDA support, removing the financial and logistical barriers that kept talented educators from earning the nationally recognized Child Development Associate credential.
From credential to degree
SCF expands to support associate and bachelor's degrees in Early Childhood Education, partnering with higher education institutions to create accessible, flexible pathways for working educators.
A workforce intermediary
SCF deepens its systems-level role, connecting educators, providers, public agencies, and philanthropic partners to translate public investment into implementable workforce strategies across all 8 Wards.
Building toward the future
With 4,000+ educators supported, $10M+ invested, and 250+ provider partners engaged, SCF continues to grow, expanding degree attainment, strengthening retention, and deepening alignment between early learning and early elementary systems.
Investing where it matters most
SCF's work centers educators and families from communities that have historically faced barriers to educational and economic opportunity, because workforce investment should reach those who need it most.
A connected ecosystem
SCF sits at the center of a citywide network — connecting every layer of DC's early childhood infrastructure and translating public investment into real outcomes.
The next chapter of growth
Each phase of SCF's evolution builds on a single core mission: strengthen the early educator workforce to support long-term success for children, families, and communities across DC.
Be part of the work.
Whether you're an educator ready to take the next step, a provider looking for workforce support, or a partner ready to invest in DC's future, we want to hear from you.
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