PRESS RELEASE: HELPING YOUNG LEARNERS THRIVE: SUMMER BOOST RECEIVES MAJOR SUPPORT FROM CHILDREN’S BOARD OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
TAMPA, FL (Thursday May 29, 2025) -In Hillsborough County, nearly half of all children entering kindergarten are not ready for school, a staggering reality with long-term implications. According to the Florida Department of Early Learning, kindergarten readiness in the county stands at just 52%, meaning many children lack essential early literacy and numeracy skills such as recognizing letters, understanding sounds, and identifying number patterns.
Children from low-income families are disproportionately affected, facing greater barriers to educational success and increased risk of losing critical knowledge over the summer. For these rising kindergartners, the gap can quickly become a gulf—without intervention.
To address this urgent need, the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC) developed Summer Boost, a six-week, research-based educational program that delivers proven gains in early literacy and math. Designed specifically to prevent summer learning loss, Summer Boost combines a high-quality classroom curriculum with hands-on tools like a robust learning app and enrichment resources which includes a family membership to ZooTampa at Lowry Park to extend learning beyond the classroom.
Now, thanks to a generous $800,000 investment from the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, more than 400 vulnerable children will benefit from Summer Boost during the summer of 2025.
“This funding represents more than just a financial commitment—it’s a powerful affirmation of our shared belief in every child’s potential,” said Aakash Patel, Chair of the ELCHC Board of Directors. “We are deeply grateful to the Children’s Board for their continued partnership and vision. At ELCHC, we are committed to expanding access to high-quality early learning, especially for families working hard to give their children the best possible start. This investment strengthens our collective mission to ensure all Hillsborough children enter kindergarten ready to learn and thrive.”
The Children’s Board has a longstanding focus on early childhood development and family support, aligning closely with ELCHC’s mission to prepare children for lifelong learning.
With this collaboration, Summer Boost is poised to transform summer for hundreds of children, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and curiosity to begin their educational journeys strong.
For more information about the Early Learning Coalition, including the Summer Boost program, visit www.elchc.org.
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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.
