Dear Friends:
The board of directors and staff of the Early Learning Coalition wish to extend our thoughts and prayers to the people of Haiti as they work to rebuild their communities and ensure the safety of their residents in the aftermath of such a tragic earthquake. We are particularly concerned about the welfare of Haiti's children who are undoubtedly most vulnerable at this time. We are working closely with our state partners and will
keep you posted as to our role in assisting children brought over from Haiti.

Updates and News

Help children affected by the earthquake in Haiti: Click here to donate through UNICEF

February 8, 2010: Help with Haiti: Volunteer with the Red Cross! The Red Cross needs child care providers to assist with Haitian children as they arrive to the United States, read more.
February 8, 2010: Detroit Free Press reports state preschool programs over the past 25 years are saving the state $1 billion this year in crime and education costs, read more.
February 4, 2010: Read the latest H1N1 update for the Florida Department of Health.
February 2, 2010: Governor Crist announces 2010-2011 budget recommendations, read more.
February 1, 2010: VPK News Flash for February has ben released, read more.
February 1, 2010: There will be a Parent Peer Group Training on February 5, 2010, read more.
January 29, 2010: On February 5, 2010, preliminary 2008-09 VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate are scheduled to be posted on the readiness rate Web site, read more.
January 25, 2010: Governor Crist Unveils Record $22.7-Billion Proposed Budget
for Pre-K-12 Education, read more.
January 25, 2010: The City of Miami will be hosting a career fair, read more.
January 20, 2010: AWI Releases December Unemployment Figures, read more.
January 20, 2010: The Florida Council of 100 and the Florida Chamber of Commerce are championing a new approach for energizing what Workforce Florida aptly coined Florida’s “Talent Supply Chain read more.
January 15, 2010: AWI releases the Rules Timeline, read more.
January 13, 2010: Do you need to hire extra staff but are struggling to find the funds to do so? Your South Florida Workforce is offering a solution of government-funded assistance! Visit South Florida Workforce for more info.
January 13, 2010: If you know of any local businesses that would like to participate in reducing child care costs, addressing the needs of early care and education, and supporting a strong workforce in our community, we encourage you to refer them to the Child Care Executive Partnership (CCEP). This program is designed to ensure that children of employees through age 12 are provided affordable, high-quality, and developmentally appropriate child care. It's not too late! read more
January 07, 2010: Worried about H1N1? Join Child Care Aware Parent Network's webinar Keeping Your Child Healthy at Home and in Child Care, read more.
January 05, 2010: Join AWI Rule Workshop scheduled for this Friday, January 8th from 1-5 pm related to the VPK forms 10,11 and 20, read more.
January 04, 2010: Join Informed Families and Former FL Gov. Jeb Bush for a special Evening with Joseph A. Califano, Jr. on February 18, 2010, read more.

To read previous news and updates, click here.

The Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring early care and education for children in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Through a variety of affordable and innovative early education and voluntary pre-kindergarten programs, the Coalition serves more than 50,000 children ages birth to 12 years old and their families.

Founded in 2000, the Coalition is among 31 similar organizations in the State of Florida established following the enactment of the School Readiness Act, which consolidated Florida’s early learning services into one integrated program.