An overall goal for the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC) is to strengthen Hillsborough's child care system to more effectively support the needs of children with disabilities and their families.

ELCHC strives to help expand child care options for children with disabilities and their families by providing funding to the Care Options Program to support the inclusion of children with special needs in early childhood settings. Services are available to providers to enhance staff's knowledge and competence in serving children with disabilities or behavioral challenges. Care Options provides the following services:

• Training and Technical Assistance
• Information regarding community resources
• Environmental Adaptations

For more information call the WARM LINE at 813-837-7909. The toll-free local Warm Line is available to any early care and education providers requesting information relating to the disability and special health care needs issues of children.

There is also a statewide information and referral service for families, service coordinators and other professionals who work with children and youth, birth to age 21 years who are at risk for developmental delays, or have disabilities and/or special health care needs. It is called The Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services (Central Directory). To find additional resources for children/youth with disabilites and/or special health care needs please visit the Florida Central Directory or call 1-800-654-4440 toll free or by email to Lou Ann Long at lalong@centraldirectory.org