Signal Centers Programs

Work Ready

A path to employment in child care for families in poverty

Start your career in the child care industry

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Stabilizing families in need


Work Ready provides individuals eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families a track towards permanent employment in the licensed child care industry. While enrolled in postsecondary coursework, participants in this Signal Centers program are lined up with a paid internship in an early childhood classroom. This addresses two issues: the labor shortage in child care and the employment rate among lower income citizens.

Program Snapshot

Results at a glance

Need

Remove barriers for individuals wanting to enter early childhood workforce

Response

$347,788

Worth of support services provided to interns

Need

Provide those on welfare a path to stable employment

Response

48

Individuals secured jobs in licensed child care facilities

Need

Increase the proficiency of those entering early childhood workforce

Response

63

Interns have completed at least one course of college coursework

Work Ready

Program Information

Benefits for Interns

When you become a Work Ready Intern, you have access to the following benefits:

  • Free college coursework classes in Early Childhood Education, provided by Chattanooga State Community College
  • $15 per hour paid internships in a licensed child care facility for up to 15 hours per week
  • $25 weekly travel stipends to commute to and from the Work Ready office or internship site
  • A pathway towards permanent employment in the child care field
  • One-on-one case management
  • Connection to community resources for rent assistance, credit repair, etc.
  • Retention bonuses after employment in a child care facility
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Benefits for Host Sites

If you are a Tennessee Department of Human Services licensed child care agency, apply to become a Work Ready host site and have access to the following benefits:

  • $1,500 incentive paid to your facility per intern
  • A pipeline of college educated talent with experience in the classroom
  • $75 per week bonus for lead teachers for mentoring and supporting the Work Ready Intern
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College Coursework

Work Ready partners with Chattanooga State Community College to offer satellite classes in Early Childhood at the Work Ready offices. Interns will complete the following courses, which take approximately seven weeks each to complete:

  • Intro into Early Childhood Education
  • Safe, Healthy Learning Environments
  • Family Dynamics
  • Curriculum

Prior to starting classes, our case managers will walk interns through the financial aid process at Chatt State, helping them to complete paperwork and file their applications. Those who are ineligible for financial aid will be directed to the Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA), a community partner who covers tuition costs for those interested in the early childhood field.

Interns who have child care placements and have completed at least two of the above classes will be eligible for additional financial incentives through Child Care WAGE$® Tennessee.

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Work Ready

Frequently asked questions

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Testimonials

Hear from our community

Work Ready helped me through a transition in my life. It helped me get back on the path to realizing what my initial goals were: working with children. I didn’t know about any of the college resources so without Work Ready, I wouldn’t be in college at all.
Danaye Rainey
Former Intern
I would’ve never thought about going to school because I was in so much debt. Work Ready told me, “We’ll help you through all of it!” Even when I wanted to give up they pushed me through. They gave me the best environment to learn about child care and to go to college and I can’t thank them enough.
Elizabeth Johnson
Former Intern
Work Ready helped me a lot with getting my transcripts, sorting my financial aid and tuition, and just gave me a lot of resources about getting into college. I am ready and excited to see where I can go from here.
Racquel Harrison
Former Intern

Work Ready

Meet our team

Work Ready is funded through a grant contract with:

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