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ELCHC Newsletter: Q1 July – September 2024

A Message from the CEO

As we enter a new fiscal year, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the challenges our community has faced in recent months due to the devastating hurricanes. Our hearts go out to all the families, providers, and partners who have been impacted. In times like these, it’s inspiring to see how our community comes together to support one another. At the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC), we are committed to continuing this spirit of solidarity and working hand in hand to ensure the well-being of our children and families.

Despite the difficulties, we have much to celebrate. With the release of our 2023-2024 Annual report, we reflect on the past year’s achievements and look ahead with renewed purpose. We are focused on strengthening relationships with our providers, donors, and partners as we continue our mission to provide high-quality early learning opportunities for every child.

Dr. Fred L. Hicks

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment to early learning. As we embark on this new fiscal year, I look forward to all that we will accomplish together.

Learn About Our Impact

We are excited to share the release of our 2023-2024 Annual report!  It highlights the incredible achievements of our dedicated team, whose unwavering commitment has ensured that children and families in Hillsborough County receive high-quality education, care, and enriching early learning experiences. We also recognize that this work is a true collaboration, and we thank our childcare providers and partners for their invaluable support of our mission.

Have You Met Olivia?

Meet the Team

Paving The Way For Early Learning Success

Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation Be the Ball Event

We are deeply honored that the Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation selected the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County for a second year as their charity of choice for the 2024 Be the Ball event, held on August 25, 2024, at Topgolf in Tampa. Raising over $100,000 that will go to support the ELCHC’s programs and services! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Mayfields for their generous support and valued partnership. We are shaping brighter futures for our community’s youngest and most vulnerable children.

Education of Young Children Summit 2024

On September 12, 2024, the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County proudly presented the Education of Young Children Summit: Redefining Childcare – A Puzzle Approach at the Portico in Tampa. The event brought together over 100 attendees, including a distinguished panel of experts including Superintendent Van Ayers (Hillsborough County Public Schools), Bemetra Simmons (Tampa Bay Partnership), Dr. Bob Rohrlack (Tampa Chamber of Commerce), Chris Loar (PNC Bank), and Makayla Buchanan (Florida Chamber of Commerce) to emphasize the critical role each sector plays as a vital piece of the early learning puzzle. Additionally, DJ Pryor (Actor, Comedian, Early Learning Advocate) spoke passionately about the critical role parents play as their child’s first teacher.

The exchange of ideas and expertise during the table discussions strengthened partnerships and underscored the importance of early education in shaping a thriving future workforce and community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s Summit and look forward to continued collaboration as we work together to ensure every child has access to high-quality early learning opportunities and a bright future.

DJ Pryor (Actor, Comedian, Early Learning Advocate)
(Pictured from left to right Makayla Buchanan, Dr. Bob Rohrlack, Bemetra Simmons, Superintendent Van Ayers and Chris Loar)

Backpacks, Books, and Bright Futures

OMWTK Backpack Event

This past July, the On My Way to Kindergarten program hosted its annual Backpack Event, which is centered around supporting children and their families as they prepare for the school year. During this event the Early Learning Coalition provided over 125 children backpacks filled with books and school supplies. Families had access to local organizations offering information and services related to education, health, and family support. After connecting with local resources, families were encouraged to engage in fun, hands-on learning experiences promoting critical skills in early childhood development.  This event marked an important step toward supporting children’s success in elementary school by providing the resources they need to thrive.

The Power of Inclusion and Support

The Inclusion Program

REGISTRATION

All registrations for IECP learning events and workshops are completed online. Registrations are received on a first-come, first-served basis and seating is limited. An account to our online platform is required for all learning event registrations regardless of cost or type of payment used.

PAYMENT

Payment, if required, can be made online at the time of registration.

REGISTRATION CANCELLATION POLICY

Registrants have up to 48 hours before a scheduled learning event to cancel. A refund will be made to the online account on file.

LEARNING EVENT CANCELLATION POLICY

The event sponsor reserves the right to cancel a learning event due to low registration. If a session is cancelled, those registered will be contacted by email and notified of the cancellation. A credit will be applied to the online account on file.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

You are encouraged to log on virtually or arrive in person 5-10 minutes prior to the start time of your learning event. Participants arriving more than 15 minutes late WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO THE SESSION. Partial in-service credit may be offered, if applicable. Make-up sessions WILL NOT BE OFFERED for any learning event. 

ANTI – DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The IECP and ELCHC shall not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability/handicap, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or age in any aspect of a learning event, training workshop or professional development. The ELCHC also reasonably accommodates individuals with disabilities, handicaps and/or religious beliefs.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

Any person with a disability/handicap requiring reasonable accommodations should call 813.515.2340 no later than seven business days prior to the scheduled learning event.

LEARNER SECURITY POLICY

The ELCHC strives to protect the privacy of learners that attend our learning events. Because each learner must register through our online learning platform, each record is restricted from public access. Learners can obtain a copy of their certifications as well as their own demographic/contact information provided. For online support, learners may call 813.515.2340 for assistance accessing their records. Learners are required to verify their Identification at all learning events by showing a state or government issued ID with photograph.

PROPRIETARY INTEREST POLICY

Individuals who participate in ELCHC’s learning events have the right to know about the proprietary interest a trainer/ instructor may have in a product or service prior to attending. All trainers/instructors are required to disclose proprietary interest in any produce, instrument, device, service and/or materials discussed at an event training, program, or workshop, as well as the source of any compensation related to the presentation.

CEU AWARD POLICY

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) may be awarded for all learning events three hours or longer in duration. Learning events less than three hours will be awarded in-service hours upon completion. CEUs will be awarded upon successful completion of the learning event. To successfully complete the learning event, learners must arrive on time, attend all required sessions, be an active participant and complete all related assignments and/or surveys as defined by the trainer/instructor. Online training must have an engagement score of 75% or more. For all online training – CAMERAS MUST BE ON – NO EXCEPTIONS. Participant’s names for online training must match the name provided at registration.  Any required assignments or surveys will be outlined in the Training Description on our online platform. Learners are encouraged to contact trainers/ instructors with any questions and/or clarification needed regarding the successful completion of assignments or surveys. In-service hours will be awarded in place of CEUs if the learner does not meet the requirements of successful completion as defined by the instructor/trainer.
* Trainings may be recorded for educational purposes.

ACHIEVEMENT BONUS

To earn an achievement bonus, you must be teaching in Hillsborough County and meet all the requirements of the course, including pre/post assessments, homework assignments, reflection, and LMS instructor evaluation (if applicable). Each individual is limited to four training achievement bonuses per training cycle, and bonuses will not be given for previously completed coursework. Additionally, a W9 form must be submitted, and the address on the form must match the address on your LMS account. If you have any questions, please contact Abbey Landa at alanda@elchc.org.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

Upon the successful completion of a learning event/training participants will receive a Certificate of Completion that can be retrieved from their individual online LMS account.

CHILD CARE

All learning events/training sessions are designed for adult audiences. We ask that all registrants make the necessary childcare arrangements to meet the minimum requirements for participation in the learning event. Childcare is not available.