Early Learning Coalition Briefs

Early Learning Coalition of Putnam and St. Johns Counties

The Early Learning Coalition of Putnam and St. Johns Counties is a proud partner and task force member of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a free program that puts literacy directly in the hands of young children! The Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides families an opportunity to enjoy books with their young children. Each month, a new, age-appropriate book is sent to the child-60 books total. All children in Putnam and St. Johns Counties who were born after May 1, 2008 are eligible for the program. To date more than 1,400 books have been distributed to children. For more information about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, visit www.dollypartonsimaginationlibrary.com.

Early Learning Coalition of Florida's Gateway

The Early Learning Coalition of Florida's Gateway recently received from a visit from the Agency For Workforce Innovation-Office of Early Learning (AWI-OEL) as part of its tri-annual plan review. Staff members of AWI-OEL seemed very impressed with the Coalition's waiting area/lobby and have communicated that they will share it with other coalitions as an example of an exemplary practice.

Early Learning Coalition of Marion County

On August 1, 40 Marion County providers attended the The Early Learning Coalition of Marion County's 5th annual VPK "Kick Off" meeting. Putting an emphasis on "going green," Coalition staff provided attendees a handbook with all the documentation and paperwork they needed on a CD. The handbook included policies and procedures, marketing tools, parent handbook, teacher tools and child portfolios, inclusion information, blank copies of forms and VPK pilot project materials. Roseann Fricks, Executive Director of the Coalition, reviewed the contract for 2009-2010 before each certified provider signed for the new year. The last hour of the meeting was a training specifically for pilot project providers. Over the last three years, Marion County's pilot project providers have grown from 13 to 37.

Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties

After months of planning, the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties completed a successful transition to directly provide all services in-house for School Readiness and Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) programs. This change in service will save the Coalition an estimated $500,000 a year, all of which will go directly towards children and their families.

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The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties offered young children a jump start to the new school year at its 2nd Annual Jump Start to Early Learning that provided school supply giveaways for the community's youngest students ages birth to 5 years old. Local families spent part of the day participating in activities such as: games, arts and crafts make and takes, and face painting. The event was made possible through the generous support from community partners including Target and Kohls. Coalition staff also distributed nearly 500 brightly colored backpacks displaying the Coalition logo at three events throughout Pasco and Hernando Counties. Backpacks were filled with essential school supplies for preschool students such as crayons, markers, books, baby blankets, and baby wipes.

Early Learning Coalition of Duval

The Early Learning Coalition of Duval's Success by 6 program is helping Jacksonville families send their children to quality child care centers. Success by 6 is operated by the Coalition in cooperation with the United Way of Northeast Florida. This program allows working families who earn 150-200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level to receive grants, which help place their 3-year-old children in quality early learning care until they enter kindergarten.

As part of this initiative, the Coalition has helped many families on the First Coast receive financial assistance with child care for their 3-year-olds. These children, who would otherwise be considered part of the at-risk population for entering kindergarten at a lower educational level, now have the opportunity to enter school ready to learn and prepared to succeed.

Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend

The Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend is hosting a 1st annual Ready for School Sock Hop fundraiser on the evening of August 29. A local museum will be transformed back in time into a classic 1950's sock hop. There will be dance contests, a costume contest, a classic car display, soda jerk bars and a disc jockey to play old time rock and roll favorites. All proceeds benefit child care scholarships in the Big Bend region. To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit www.elcbigbend.org.

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Early Learning Coalition Briefs