Supporting the
Success of Children!
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The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough
County (ELCHC) supports the
success of children from birth through 13
years of age by educating families about the
importance of early learning experiences —
both at home and in child care. Children
are more likely to do better in school—and
throughout life—when parents get involved
with their early education, regardless of
family income or background, so parent
involvement in those early learning years
is crucial to a child’s lifelong success. The
ELCHC’s Family Services team helps families
to identify quality child care and early
learning programs so that families can find
the best options to fit their needs. In addition,
the ELCHC provides referrals to other
community resources.
Preparing your child for success
The ELCHC offers two programs for
families to access early learning and child
care support services, School Readiness (SR)
and Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK).
Families can access these programs online
by using Florida Office of Early Learning
Family Portal. Families can check the status
of their application, submit documentation
and more. A parent only needs an email
address and access to a computer — or, they
can visit the ELCHC at one of its locations
in Hillsborough County. The Family Services
team can assist families in person, over
the phone or through the portal.
School Readiness Program (SR)
The School Readiness Program (SR) offers
financial assistance to families for early
education and care so their children can
be successful in school while they become
financially self-sufficient. The eligibility
requirements are based on a purpose for
care (working, attending school, etc.),
household income and number of people in
the household.
Voluntary Prekindergarten Program
(VPK) is designed to prepare Florida’s
children for kindergarten and develop the
skills they need to become good readers and
successful students. VPK includes quality
standards for literacy skills, strict accountability,
appropriate curricula, substantial
instruction periods, manageable class size
and qualified instructors. All 4-year-old
and pre-kindergarten 5-year-old children in
Florida are eligible for VPK with proof of
age and residency.
The Voluntary Prekindergarten Specialized
Instructional Services (VPK SIS)
program is an option for parents or guardians
of 4-year-old children with disabilities
that is available outside the traditional VPK
classroom setting. If a child has a current
Individual Educational Plan (IEP) from the
School District of Hillsborough County
that calls for specialized instructional services,
families can choose VPK SIS instead
of a traditional VPK school year or summer
programs.
How can the ELCHC help you?
The Family Services team at the ELCHC
is here to help Hillsborough County families
get the services they need. There are two
locations which offer access to computers
and Family Services Specialists who can
assist in applying for services. Once a family
enters their application for any of the
programs, the Family Services team will
review the application and communicate
with parents through the Florida Office of
Early Learning Family Portal. If you need
additional help in understanding School
Readiness, VPK or other topics related to
early childhood education and care, contact
our Family Services team at (813) 515-2340
or visit our website at www.elchc.org
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/www.elchc.org