ECHO Fund Grants
The Early Childhood Opportunity (ECHO) Fund is an innovative grant program that seeks to increase access to high-quality early care and education for Louisiana children, birth through age four, by directly funding child care programs and the nonprofits that serve them.
From NOLA to Nashville: Fall 2023 ECHO Fund City Seats NAEYC Scholarship
The Fall 2023 ECHO Fund City Seats NAEYC Scholarship will provide the opportunity for 2023-2024 City Seats Providers to select one teacher from their site to attend the Fall 2023 NAEYC Annual Conference.
NOTE: This application is now open to all Type IIIs in Orleans Parish. Applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
The NAEYC Annual Conference is a gathering of early childhood educators from around the globe to connect, collaborate and learn together. The 2023 NAEYC Annual Conference and Expo will take place November 15-18 in Nashville, TN at the Music City Center. The Annual Conference is one of the world’s largest early childhood conferences with over 275 exhibitors and four days of presentations, speakers, panels and keynotes. NAEYC’s Annual Conference is designed for all early childhood professionals, including classroom teachers, center directors, administrators, and leaders who prepare, mentor, and support early childhood professionals.
In addition to a pass to attend the conference, the following will also be provided for scholarship recipients:
- A $500 stipend
- Transportation to and from the conference from New Orleans to Nashville via charter bus
- A hotel room for the duration of the conference
- Some meals
- A t-shirt
- A per-diem
Please direct all questions regarding this opportunity to ECHOfund@agendaforchildren.org. Support is available during our regularly scheduled hours of operation (M-F, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM).
| Provider Eligibility: | Only 2023-2024 City Seats Providers are eligible for this opportunity. |
|---|---|
| Attendee Eligiblity: | The attendee chosen by the site must be employed as a teacher at the site. |
| Trip Dates: | November 14th - November 18th, 2023 |
| Application Launch Date: | Wednesday, September 20th, 2024 |
| Application Close Date: | The application portal will close at 12:00 AM, Saturday, September 30th. |
| Notification: | Sites can expect follow-up communication regarding their application the week of October 2nd, as well as periodic updates leading up to the trip. |
| Application Link: | Apply for a NAEYC scholarship here! |
Questions?
Contact the ECHO Team at echofund@agendaforchildren.org. Support is available during our regularly scheduled hours of operation (M-F, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM).
Grant FAQs
Grant FAQs
I am not a City Seats Provider. Can I apply for this opportunity?
No. Only 2023-2024 City Seats Providers are eligible for this opportunity.
NOTE: This opportunity is now open to Type IIIs in Orleans Parish. Applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
Who can I send from my site?
You may select one teacher of your choosing to attend on behalf of your site.
Can I send a Director from my site?
If the Director also serves as a lead teacher at the site, then yes. If the Director is not a lead teacher, they may not attend through this scholarship.
What information do I need for the application?
You will need the chosen attendee's name, contact information, t-shirt size, emergency contact information, and NAEYC membership ID (if applicable).
We submitted an application... what's next?
Sites can expect to hear from our team the week of October 2nd with more information, as well as incrementally leading up to the trip with additional information, such as an itinerary.
What is my selected attendee is not able to attend shortly before departure?
Providers are encouraged to identify a back-up attendee in the event that their selected attendee is not able to attend last-minute.
What should I do if I need to amend my application?
Please reach out to ECHOfund@agendaforchildren.org to submit application edits.