Privacy Statement - the following download discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices for the website located at the URL www.childrensfuturehillsborough.org
The Early Learning Coalition, a 501 (c)(3) not for profit, was incorporated in 2000, following the enactment of Florida’s School Readiness Act ( Florida Statute 411.01). The Florida Legislature recognized that ‘school readiness’ programs increase children’s chances of achieving future educational success and becoming productive members of society.
In January 2005, the Coalition’s role was expanded by the Legislature to include local oversight of the State’s Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program schedule for implementation in the fall of 2005. The Coalition’s legislatively mandated membership includes representatives from the school district, child care licensing, Head Start, the Children’s Board, the Health Department, the Department of Children and Families, child care providers and the business community.
The Coalition envisions a community in which all children will grow up in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where their physical, social emotional and cognitive development is a primary focus of attention at home and in the community. The Coalition also supports good, supportive parenting in which the individual child’s well being and readiness to succeed in school and life are a priority.
The Coalition’s role is to develop and administer a comprehensive school readiness program delivery system that prepares children to succeed in school. This is an ongoing process that involves building on existing services, working in cooperation with other programs for young children and coordinating and integrating program funding to achieve efficiency and effectiveness.
Services include: The Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (VPK), School Readiness Programs and Services for eligible children ages birth through ten, intake and eligibility, provider training and technical assistance, the Quality Counts for Kids Quality Improvement Program, Child Care Resource and Referral, and Inclusion Services. The Coalition serves over 20, 000 children annually in Hillsborough County.
