The Children’s Trust Keeps Focus on Supporting Vulnerable Early Learning
Teachers with Salary Supplement Program
The Children’s Trust is doing its part to make sure that the
early learning educators whose job it is to care for the chil-
dren of first-responders and essential workers continue to
receive the salary supplements they depend on despite the
current coronavirus pandemic. Trust CEO and President
James R. Haj and Associate Director of Programs Rachel
Spector made a special trip to The Children’s Trust head-
quarters on Friday, March 27, specifically to sign checks as
part of an incentive program for the early learning educa-
tors that rewards quality instruction and stability in the criti-
cal education sector. They even made a special delivery for
one lucky such teacher.
Elisa Rosales, an early learning educator at Lincoln-Marti
Child Care Center 9th Street location, is part of the work-
force considered essential in today’s limited-access world.
When she showed up to work today she got a welcomed
surprise – a hand-delivered check from The Trust’s top ex-
ecutive. “Early learning educators are essential workers that
take care of our children during their most critical phase of
learning,” said Haj. “And yet, they make an average of $10
an hour, with no benefits or unions to fall back on. That’s
why we are committed to continuing to support these teach-
ers with salary supplements that they earn through quality
teaching and commitment.”
The salary supplements are part of the Child Care INCEN-
TIVE$ Florida (formerly known as WAGE$ Florida) program
that rewards retention and quality teaching for early learn-
ing teachers. The program provides biannual checks to
teachers like Rosales and hundreds of others with positive
results – turnover rates for early learning teachers partici-
pating in the Thrive by 5 INCENTIVE$ program is about 7
percent, compared to a national average of approximately
30 percent.
Because early learning teachers make less than public
school teachers and do not have regular access to benefits
or unions to fight on their behalf they have been left par-
ticularly vulnerable during the Coronavirus pandemic, mak-
ing the salary supplement program even more crucial. The
Trust remains committed to the program and delivering the
much-needed checks throughout the current situation.
The Children’s Trust will maintain continuity of operation
during this time, while allowing its staff to work remotely. The
Trust will continue to monitor this quickly evolving situation
and will announce additional measures as needs evolve.
For more information visit www.TheChildrensTrust.org
MIAMI SMOOTH JAZZ MUSIC FESTIVAL 2020
The Miami Smooth Jazz Festival’s Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic
As organizers of the Miami Smooth Jazz Festival, we
understand that these are uncertain times for all of
us throughout the world. In our planning for year two
of what is already South Florida’s premiere smooth
jazz festival, you should know that your health and
well-being are an integral part of any decision that we
make about the second annual Miami Smooth Jazz
Festival.
Ultimately, our nation’s top health experts, along with
state and local officials will establish if there is a risk to
any events planned for the future, that will determine
any postponements or cancellations. We are commit-
ted to keeping you updated, as we are informed about
the status of our venue.
In the meantime, you can expect year two of the Miami
Smooth Jazz Festival to be bigger and better than our
inaugural event that brought thousands to Zoo Miami
to enjoy the phenomenal line-up that included Smooth
Jazz favorites Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Nor-
man Brown, Lindsey Webster, Jeff Lorber and more.
Our 2019 line-up also showcased R & B headliner
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, smooth vocalist Eric
Benet, the amazing Vincent Ingala, the multi-talented
Ben Tankard and many others, totaling 17 incredible
artists.
Register now to be in included on our contact list, by
sending your name and mobile number to info@Mi-
amiSmoothJazzFestival.com. You’ll be the first to re-
ceive the line-up for the Miami Smooth Jazz Festival
2020, early bird specials, exclusive discounts, newly
released video and music clips, behind the scenes
footage and other incredible Goodies.
We value your support and look forward to you mak-
ing the Miami Smooth Jazz Festival your destination
event of the fall. Save the Dates, November 13-15, for
the Miami Smooth Jazz Festival 2020.
Media Inquiries:
Interactive Professional Media Group
Pat Johnson
Phone: 404-565-4764
Email: [email protected]
About the Miami Smooth Jazz Festival
The Miami Smooth Jazz launched its inaugural year
in 2019 and is poised to bring about top caliber talent
that will provide the best musical performers in Jazz,
Rhythm and Blues and Latin Jazz. The setting for our
festival is on the grounds of Zoo Miami. For more in-
formation visit www.MiamiSmoothJazzFest.org