GET READY TO LEARN!
WORDS: Jessica Schubick
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC)
School Readiness child care funding is available to eligible
families to assist them in obtaining affordable, high quality
child care. The ELC has been actively enrolling children from
the program’s wait list since July of last year and since that time
has invited more than 500 children from hundreds of families to
complete their funding opportunities.
Even before children attend prekindergarten, they gain from
experiences that help them be ready for school. That’s why
school readiness is such an important part of early learning.
The Florida Legislature recognized that when they passed the
School Readiness Act to help children from low-income families
get the support they need. While helping children prepare for
school, the program also provides child care so a parent can
work or attend a training or education program, ensuring stability
and the opportunity for success for all members of the family.
Choosing the right early learning program is one of the most
important decisions parents will make. The Florida Office of Early
Learning (OEL) has created materials including a selection guide
and quality checklist to aid families in choosing and evaluating
early learning programs. (These materials can be found on the
OEL’s website at www.floridaearlylearning.com/.)
Additionally, the ELC of Manatee can provide guidance for local
child care options fitting a family’s needs through the Child Care
Resource and Referral (CCR&R) program. (The ELC’s CCR&R
information can be found at www.elc-manatee.org/Child-Care-
Resource-and-Referral/.) The family guide, quality checklist,
and CCR&R program will help parents make informed decisions
about which program is the right fit for their family.
The School Readiness wait list currently consists of about 200
families, with an anticipated wait time of approximately 6 months.
Families who were added to the wait list in February and March
were invited to complete their funding requests in June 2019.
The ELC expects to continue open enrollment through the end
of 2019. Interested families should visit the Florida Office of
Early Learning’s Family Portal online at www.familyservices.
floridaearlylearning.com/.
Children are eligible for child care funding assistance from birth
through 12 years of age. If families meet the below eligibility
criteria, they may qualify for child care funding either through a
referring agency or by applying to our wait list:
• Parents or guardians that receive cash assistance for the
family or for the relative children;
• Children under Protective Services or in foster care –
regardless of income;
• Families receiving assistance through Salvation Army,
HOPE, Community Haven, Easter Seals, or Manatee
Children’s Services Kinship Program;
• Children living in a low-income family where parent/guardian
work or attend school at least 20 hours per week. (Income
eligibility requirements apply.)
Paul Sharff, ELC Chief Executive Officer said: “The ELC of
Manatee County is pleased to be able to offer financial assistance
to so many low-income families in Manatee County for early
education and care. We encourage eligible families to apply for
School Readiness assistance so they can become financially
self-sufficient and to help their children develop the skills needed
to achieve future educational success."
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