The Early Learning Coalition of Orange County (ELCOC) is making a significant effort to spread the word about the benefits of early childhood education and the resources available to families in the area.
Karen Duque, the Shared Service Catalyst at ELCOC, has been reaching out to organizations throughout Orange County to coordinate presentations for the organization's new CEO, Dr. Scott Fritz. Dr. Fritz has already presented to multiple Rotary Clubs and Chambers in the area with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of early childhood education and the resources available to families in the area.
As the Early Learning Coalition notes, many families are unaware that Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten is free, and the organization hopes to change that by getting the word out to as many families as possible. The Early Learning Coalition of Orange County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing leadership, guidance, and support for School Readiness and Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) programs for children in Orange County.
ELCOC serves over 31,000 children between the ages of birth and four years old, as well as offering a variety of programs for parents and guardians of all ages. The organization is funded primarily by State and Federal sources, with the majority used to offer subsidies to Orange County families who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford childcare, preschool, VPK, or other programs. ELCOC has a number of programs available to families, including the School Readiness program, which offers financial assistance to low-income families, and the Childcare Resource and Referral Network, which helps families locate quality childcare and early education programs.
The organization also offers the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program, which is a free educational program that prepares 4-year-olds for kindergarten and beyond. If you're interested in learning more about the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County and the resources available to families in the area, you can visit their website at elcoforangecounty.org.
Here is an overview of some of the programs that would be helpful to share with the families, parents, and guardians of children in Orange County:
School Readiness – Offering financial assistance to low-income families:
Florida’s School Readiness Program or SR offers financial assistance to eligible low-income families for early education and care so they can become financially self-sufficient and their young children can be successful in school in the future. Services vary based on individual needs and range from extended day care to after-school and school-age care in some instances.
Childcare Resource and Referral Network:
Florida’s Child Care Resource and Referral Network, or CCR&R, helps families locate quality childcare and early education programs. Trained specialists offer information about local childcare options and develop customized lists of childcare providers based on each family’s specific childcare needs. Financial assistance strategies and referrals to other community resources and programs are also available.
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten
Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program or VPK, is a free educational program that prepares 4-year-olds for kindergarten and beyond. Children must live in Florida and be 4 on or before September 1 of the school year they enroll. Parents can choose from private childcare centers or public schools and schoolyear or summer programs. Parents of 4-year-olds with special needs have an option outside the classroom setting ‒ VPK Specialized Instructional Services (VPK-SIS).
About the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County (ELCOC):
