TAMPA, FL (Monday, October 31, 2022) – The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC) recently celebrated fourteen early learning programs for their success during the  2021-2022 school year. Each of the fourteen programs serves School Readiness (a federal child care supplement for low to moderate income families) and achieves high scores on assessments used to measure quality of program and instruction. Interim ELCHC CEO, Gary Meyer, said, “Our Celebrate You recognition events have been a great way to celebrate early childhood programs and teachers who achieve high quality scores. Improving quality requires hard work, and we don’t celebrate early childhood professionals enough when they make huge strides in quality. We partnered with the Division of Early Learning to identify the highest quality programs and provide financial stipends to recognize them and their teachers. It was a pleasure to see many happy faces of teachers, directors, and owners!”

During the week of October 24th, ELCHC staff and Board of Directors visited each program and surprised teachers with a stipend for $1,000. During the visit to Bible Truth Ministries, US Congresswoman, Kathy Castor, joined to thank teachers for their dedication to education on the heels of the pandemic. “We want to invest in teachers who are working to ensure that our children are ready for kindergarten. These financial incentives – made possible by federal funding – will benefit the early learning centers and educators who support Tampa students day in and day out” said Congresswoman Castor.

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Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC)

Established by the State Legislature, the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC) is a 501(c)(3) organization focused on promoting school and life success for young children and their families through quality school readiness services and supports. The ELCHC administers School Readiness and VPK (Voluntary Prekindergarten) programs in Hillsborough County, offers teacher trainings and coaching, and provides Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) along with other services that daily serve more than 22,000 children and their families.