Early Learning Coalition Briefs

ELC of Florida's Gateway

Lake City Mayor Stephen Witt officially declares March 28 as Lake City's Children's Day. Children enjoy a ride on a Winnie the Pooh train at Lake City's Children's Day.

Nearly 1,000 children, parents and early learning providers attended the Early Learning Coalition of Florida's Gateway Children's Day March 28. Attendees enjoyed entertainment including pony rides, a petting zoo and a magic show, community resource booths and food all provided free by the Gateway Coalition and its community partners. Guests of distinction included Bill Gootee, Columbia County Sheriff Stephen Witt, Lake City Mayor Brittany Birken, Director, and Matt Guse, Assistant Director, of AWI's Office of Early Learning. Mayor Witt presented the Coalition with a proclamation naming March 28, 2008, as Lake City's official Children's Day.

Meri Asmar, Chair of the ELC Escambia Board of Directors, reads to children on Read Across America Day.

ELC of Escambia County

• The Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County would like to thank the 21 community leaders who participated in the recent Read Across America Day. Hundreds of children in early learning programs across the county were excited when the reading volunteers appeared in their red-and-white "Dr. Seuss" hats, books in hand, to share the gift of reading aloud with young children. Studies of early childhood development support the importance of reading aloud to children as a foundation for language growth, phonemic awareness, print awareness and emotional development.

• Vicki Pugh, Professional Development Coordinator for the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County, was selected as a member of the NACCRRA Leadership Institute Class of 2010. She was one of three people selected nationwide. Her selection was announced at the NACCRRA conference in Washington, DC in early April.

ELC of Polk County

The Early Learning Coalition of Polk County generously provided nearly $85,000 in T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® scholarships in January of this year for Polk County early learning providers. Over 50 providers were given scholarships towards BS and AS degrees in early childhood education as well as CDA and Director Credentials. T.E.A.C.H. is a core scholarship program of the Children's Forum to help teachers further their education to enhance quality education in the classroom. Polk County has been a steady supporter of T.E.A.C.H. over the years, providing $72,000 in 2006, $30,000 in 2005 and $59,400 in 2004 and funding a total of 125 scholarships including 33 Bachelors degrees, 53 Associates degrees, 6 Director Credentials and 33 CDA Credentials. Read more about T.E.A.C.H.

ELC of Broward County

Broward County early care and education providers with Gold Seal designations received certificates of recognition as part of a new Provider Recognition Program through the ELC of Broward County and the Wachovia Foundation.

• Family health was celebrated at the Spring Into Health Fair 2008 in Davie on April 12. The Early Learning Coalition of Broward County, Inc. welcomed hundreds of families to its third annual event that offered free health screenings for all family members. The focus was on the health of the entire family, with services available for children and parents. Services provided included: immunizations, developmental screenings, scoliosis screenings, lead screenings, vision screenings, hearing screenings, glucose and blood pressure screenings and cholesterol screenings. Eligibility certificates for the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program for eligible 4-year-old children were also available.

• The importance of quality in early learning programs was acknowledged by the Early Learning Coalition of Broward County, Inc. and the Wachovia Foundation through a new Provider Recognition Program. On April 11, early care and education providers with Gold Seal designations were invited to participate in a kick-off ceremony at the Coalition Board meeting and were presented with Certificates of Recognition. Gold Seal designation demonstrates a commitment to quality, as those providers who have earned the designation are accredited by nationally recognized agencies and follow standards that reflect quality in areas such as level of care and supervision provided to children. The Coalition and the Wachovia Foundation are dedicated to continually celebrating and growing quality in Broward's early care and education system. About 22 percent of Broward's preschools have a Gold Seal designation.

ELC of the Nature Coast

• The Early Learning Coalition of the Nature Coast recently sponsored its 4th Annual Infant and Toddler Conference. The conference took place in Chiefland, FL and drew over 160 participants. Various topics were presented, including a 2-hour session on Beyond Cribs and Rattles by Dr. Pamela C. Phelps.

• The 2nd Annual Framework for Understanding Poverty seminar will be hosted by the ELC of the Nature Coast on Saturday, May 17, at Chiefland Elementary School from 8:30 am - 3:30 p.m. This seminar is built around Dr. Ruby Payne's book that explains how individuals living in poverty think and act differently than those classified as having middle and upper economic status. For details, call: 877-840-KIDS.

ELC of Northwest Florida

The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida has entered into an exciting partnership with the Panama City Downtown Rotary Club, a local elementary school and four local child care programs to implement the pilot Rotary Read Aloud project. The Downtown Rotary Club committed $17,500 to implement the Rotary Read Aloud project, an intensive literacy intervention initiative that targets and measures the child and caregiver's language and literacy skill levels. The project focuses on one elementary school that has a high percentage of children determined to be at a high or moderate risk of school failure, based on Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screenings (FLKRS) results.

Lee Sullivan reads to children as part of the ELC of Northwest Florida's Rotary Read Aloud project.

With measurable goals that include increasing child literacy outcomes, parents' opportunity to read with their children, caregiver reading and vocabulary levels and classroom appropriateness for literacy, the project provides reading backpacks that go home on Fridays with each child. The parent sends the reading backpack to the center on Monday with a survey card documenting how much time they spent with their child reading or talking about the backpack information. Once a month, the Coalition sponsors a Rotary Read Aloud where local authors read a book they have written, followed by giving autographed copies to every parent who attends the event.

Understanding that it really does take a whole village to raise a child, Rotary Read Aloud connects private child care, community business leaders, public schools, and the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida to promote positive outcomes for children and families so that all children experience a love for reading and learning that lasts a lifetime.

ELC of Orange County

• The Early Learning Coalition of Orange County hosted a Family Fun Day as a kick-off to Florida Children's Week on Saturday, March 29, in Orlando. Highlights of the event included a reading corner, arts & craft projects, face painting, education and safety resources, and a bounce house. The event attracted the attention of City of Orlando Commissioner Daisy Lynum and Sen. Gary Siplin as well as nearly 250 children and their families.

• Hurricane season is approaching and to help prepare its provider community, the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County is hosting its 3rd Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference. The conference, scheduled for Saturday, June 7, will provide important information on how to prepare for weather emergencies, fire safety and first aid, and will even address Florida's increasing snake population. Representatives from the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the Orange County Health Department, News Channel 2, and many more organizations will be on-site providing valuable information and resources. Conference registration is $10 and includes lunch. Participants who attend all day will receive a certificate for five in-service hours.

ELC of St. Lucie County

• Approximately 300 children enjoyed a free Family Fun Fair on Sunday, April 6, in Ft. Pierce. Hosted by the Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County, activities included petting a live baby alligator and other animals, a Learning Station concert, a K-9 dog show, clown routines, face painting, fire trucks, bubble making, an appearance by Phibi the Fitness Frog, a circuit walk, a karate activity, a bounce house, a bean bag game, exhibitor booths, hands-on science activities, reading with the dogs from Waggin' Tales, a handprint tree mural, coloring activities, and much more. Each child received a goody bag containing a book, a pedometer and a small live tree to take home and plant. A good time was had by all.

• On Tuesday, April 15, fathers who successfully completed the Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County's Father & Child Program's first Nurturing Fathers Sessions were honored at a graduation ceremony. The graduates, family and friends enjoyed a celebration dinner hosted by the Early Learning Coalition. The men wrote commitment letters to their families titled "The Father I Choose To Be." This free 13-week volunteer program is designed to help fathers and male role models build closer relationships with their families, communicate positively, balance work and family better, manage stress and discipline with love. Fathers and other male role models interested in attending or obtaining more information should contact Kathy Bauer at 772-595-6424 x 123 or bauerk01@elcslc.org.

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