ELCHC Newsletter: Q2 October – December 2023
A Message from the CEO
Hello, and Happy 2024!
I hope your year has already proven to be full of joy and learning! At the ELCHC, the year is off to a tremendous start.
Our team launched several quality initiatives fueled by $33 million from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) – yes, you read that right! These initiatives include four Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) receiving a mini-makeover, reimbursement for high-quality curriculum purchases, and cranking up support for our families and children with unique abilities. Check out the array of opportunities waiting for early education rockstars like you on our website: Apply for Special Funding and Resources | ARPA Discretionary – The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (elchc.org
And if you think that’s all, think again! Our mission to connect Hillsborough families with top-notch, wallet-friendly child care remains paramount. With housing costs soaring and daily goods playing hard to get, our School Readiness program is the superhero we all need. Guess what? We’re clearing waitlists like it’s nobody’s business, and our team is on a mission to assist as many families as humanly possible.
But wait, there’s more! As Florida’s Legislative Session kicks off, we’re diving deep into discussions about eligibility reform to ensure more families can access the School Readiness program.
As a reminder, I continue to promote early literacy efforts. How? Read daily to your child, volunteer at a literacy fair, or even donate to the ELCHC for the purchase of high-quality age-appropriate books for children in our community.
So buckle up, 2024 – ELCHC is off to a fast start and committed to continued positive change!
Have You Seen Violet and Theo?
Meet the Team
Learn More About Our Core Programs
Voluntary Prekindergarten Program
Children who participate in early learning programs demonstrate greater readiness for kindergarten compared to those who do not. At the ELCHC, we are committed to making preschool accessible for every family, irrespective of their location or income level. We offer free VPK to every eligible 4-year-old in the county. This program has been proven to equip children with the skills needed for a successful transition into kindergarten and elementary school.
The impact of early education provided by the ELCHC is evident in the lives of our families and their children. The King Family’s experience is just one of many testimonies highlighting the positive effects of our school readiness and VPK programs.
School Readiness Program
The ELCHC works to ensure that all of our community’s youngest children grow up to achieve anything they can imagine by providing the best possible early learning experiences and supporting the families and teachers who care for them.
If you or someone you know is struggling to afford childcare and meet specific income criteria, they may be eligible to receive financial assistance through our School Readiness program. Financial assistance is based on the family’s income, Individual Education Plans (applicable to children aged 3-5 only), risk factors, and whether the parent is furthering their education.
First, I would like to say thank you for all the help you give families. For our family it helped me being able to get a job, make appointments the boys can't go with me to, and run errands without worrying about how to find a way to get the kids after VPK on time. With being in then VPK and School Readiness program I know that my boys are safe with the people I trust. With VPK they can go to a safe place to learn, specifically my kids are doing so much better with their speech and social skills. They are learning their letters and numbers and so much more quickly than I though they were going to be able to because of their speech delay. Knowing that I can have the VPK and School Readiness program and be in the daycare with people I know and trust is amazing and gives me peace of mind knowing that they are safe while they are there. Thank you!
Investing in Your Workforce:
Supporting Employees with Childcare Costs
Unlock a brighter future for Hillsborough County by becoming a catalyst for change in early learning through the School Readiness (SR) program. Your company can play a pivotal role in supporting its employees who are struggling to afford childcare by offering financial assistance for early child education and care.
This isn’t just about contributing—it’s about supporting family-friendly policies for employees with children and ensuring employees are financially self-sufficient and their little ones are set up for success in school.
Dive into the impact of the School Readiness match program, where your participation expands services to employees who might not typically qualify. Your dollars can even be matched, opening doors for your employees’ children to experience a safe, high-quality early learning program. The benefits for your company are profound:
- strengthening your workforce and internal culture,
- boosting employees’ earning potential,
- reducing missed workdays,
- and ramping up productivity.
Ready to be a driving force for positive change? Click here to explore how your company can participate in the SR Match program or reach out to Community Relations at communityrelations@elchc.org. Let’s build a future where every child and family thrives!
