In this Issue
- Forum Customer Service Survey
- Spotlight On: Quality Counts Career Center
- Forum Corner
- Early Learning Coalition Briefs
- Legislative Updates
- Calendar of Events
- State and National News
- Lights on Afterschool
- Now Available: New Opportunity for Program Directors
Early Learning Coalition Briefs
Early Learning Coalition of Florida's Gateway
The Early Learning Coalition of Florida's Gateway has relocated their offices in Lake City from 484 SW Commerce Drive to 1104 SW Main Boulevard which is next to the Lake City Social Security Office. The coalition's phone number (386-752-9770) and web site (www.elc-fg.org) remain the same.
Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County
The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County is now able to issue Continuing Education Units (CEU) as part of its initiative to enhance the professional development of early childhood educators. The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) awarded the coalition with certification as a CEU provider for early education and care trainings throughout the state of Florida. CEU's can be issued through the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County for training that meets certain criteria Contact Barbara Scarsbrook, Director of Professional Development, at 727-548-1439 extension 30 or visit www.elcpinellas.org for more information on trainings and CEU's.
Early Learning Coalition of Broward County
On August 2, the Early Learning Coalition of Broward County, along with its community partners, will recognize the hard work and dedication of VPK teachers and directors with a special conference and celebration. At the one-day conference and celebration, participants will partake in workshops offering enriching information on early literacy curricula, the role of assessment in the VPK classroom, VPK standards and environment, inclusion, conflict resolution with parents and children, as well as working with English language learners in the VPK program.
The event also includes a kick-off ceremony and keynote speech by Broward County Public Schools' Superintendent James F. Notter. For additional information, please call the Early Learning Coalition of Broward County at 954-377-2188 or visit www.elcbroward.org.
Early Learning Coalition of the Nature Coast
The Early Learning Coalition of the Nature Coast offers training to early learning providers in Citrus, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, and Sumter Counties. The 10 Components of Quality Child Care for Infants and Toddlers trainings are free. CEU's are provided for some of the trainings. Seating is limited. For more information, visit www.elc-naturecoast.org or call toll-free 1-877-336-KIDS. In Dixie, Gilchrist and Levy Counties, call 1-877-840-KIDS.
Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties (ELCFV)
Reading Makes Me Smile Success Continues
The Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties' Reading Makes Me Smile project has again proved to be a success with 120 children and families participating. Reading Makes Me Smile assists providers in encouraging, engaging and empowering families on the importance of promoting family literacy activities and materials in both home and school. Providers involved parents by doing such things as creating classroom and home use books, assisting and encouraging parents to obtain library cards for their children and having parents track the stories being read in the home. Parents and other guest readers were invited to share stories with the children to enhance the literacy activities already in place at the early childhood centers and homes. Ten providers completing the program were recognized with gift baskets and awards at the Provider Appreciation Dinner May 15.
On May 15, "Oscar" greeted everyone in his stunning golden glory as the
Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort was transformed into an exciting
"television set"
to recognize those who work in the field of early childhood at a Provider Appreciation
Dinner. Over 400 providers dressed in their finest to be thanked for the hard work and
dedication they put forth everyday caring for our community's children. A highlight of
the evening was the presentation of a video which showcased 17 providers who have
obtained and/or maintained Gold Seal Accreditation as well as those who participated in
the Reading Makes Me Smile program.Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELCSWFL)
The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELCSWFL) and their partners announce the fifth quarterly Challenging Behaviors Training Schedule. Early childhood providers and parents of young children are invited to attend these informative sessions to become knowledgeable about child growth and development. The trainings provide a range of learning opportunities in a variety of formats.
Enrollment for each of the sessions is limited and registration is required at the ELCSWFL website: www.elcofswfl.org. Call 239-267-4105 x0 for help with registration. There is no charge for any of these trainings, but CEU's are available at the trainings at a rate of $5 per contact hour (payment by check or credit/debit card only). A brief program description of each training is listed below. For training times and locations or for more information, visit the ELCSWFL website.
Early Learning Coalition of Manatee
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee would like to announce its new office location at 3526 9th Street West in Bradenton, Florida. During the last week of June the coalition packed its office and moved to a new facility less then two miles from its previous location. The move allows parents and providers better access to the coalition's staff and the new or existing services they provide. The coalition introduced local business and community leaders to its new offices with a red ribbon cutting ceremony. Please make note of the coalition's new office phone number: 941- 757-2900.
In addition to moving its operations, the ELC of Manatee transitioned the Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) services for Manatee County to an internal operation. The new CCR&R staff members of the ELC Manatee have already served 104 families from the community in the first 10 days of service. The coalition wishes to thank its neighboring coalition in Sarasota County for their training assistance as well as Gerie Nasche and Susan Schumacher of the Office of Early Learning in the Agency for Workforce Innovation for sharing their valuable experience while preparing us for the transition of services.
Early Learning Coalition of Marion County
Since 2003, the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County has utilized the Early Literacy & Learning Model (ELLM) curriculum in VPK classrooms in Marion County. ELLM, now known as ELLM/Plus, is a research-based, comprehensive curriculum for 3, 4 and 5-year-old preschool children that has been proven to be effective in improving children's early reading achievement in an experimental study. The literacy-focused curriculum builds children's cognitive development through literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, motor experiences, and physical health. Although the funding for an ELLM Coach is no longer available, the ELC of Marion continues to offer the curriculum to providers who have received appropriate training and previously participated in the program.
As the ELLM curriculum remains in demand with providers, the coalition has purchased 15 sets of the ELLM/Plus curriculum to begin utilizing in 2008-2009. These sets include extra copies of related children's books which will allow providers to set up their own lending library as a part of the curriculum. For more information, contact Elizabeth Moore at emoore@elc-marion.org or visit www.unf.edu/dept/fie/ellm-plus-home.html.
Early Learning Coalition of Seminole County
The Early Learning Coalition of Seminole County has recently hired Jennifer Grant as its new Executive Director.
"We are excited to have Jennifer Grant as our new Executive Director," stated Bob O'Malley, Chairman of the Seminole Early Learning Coalition. "Her professional experience working on behalf of children, combined with her business expertise, will be a valuable asset to the children and families of Seminole County."
For more information about the Early Learning Coalition of Seminole County, please visit www.seminoleearlylearning.org
Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe
The Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroehas partnered with Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), the nation's largest and oldest children and families' literacy organization, to improve the quality of literacy services provided to some 20,000 children in school readiness programs throughout South Florida. As part of the new agreement, RIF will conduct its Care to Read training sessions for about 100 coalition childcare professionals working with preschoolers. The two-day sessions help train child care staff to better support children's emergent literacy. The coalition also will launch and fund a new RIF book distribution and reading motivational program for thousands of children in its pre-kindergarten and early learning programs. Future collaborations include plans for RIF to support parent and family literacy trainings for parents of young children in coalition programs.
As of July 13, 2008, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, with the help of Miami-Dade County Department of Human Services, has over 15,000 children registered for the 2008-2009 school-year VPK program! Compared to a year ago, there has been a 17 percent increase in registrations for the program. The coalition has been working to develop strong relationships with other non-profits, such as Switchboard of Miami, and local media outlets to continue generating awareness for the program and its availability to all children of the community.
Early Learning Coalition of Orange County
The Early Learning Coalition of Orange County hosted its 3rd Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference June 7. The Conference helped prepare the Orange County provider community for disasters as well as providing general safety information. Information on CPR, fire safety, first aid, contagious diseases, and snake bites was available to providers. Representatives from the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the Orange County Health Department, local media and many other agencies were on-site providing valuable information and resources.
The Early Learning Coalition of Orange County is hosting a VPK Curriculum Fair for area providers. The Curriculum Fair is scheduled for July 26 at Disney's Yacht Club Convention Center. Vendors will be on-site to present information on Department of Education-approved curricula.