Past News and Updates

May 2010

May 26, 2010: Success South Florida Magazine Honors 40 Under 40 Leaders of Today and Tomorrow, among them ELC's Blythe Keeler Robinson, read more.
May 25, 2010: We are currently recruiting for the 2010-2011 Curriculum Learning Communities, click here for more information on the program and the pre-application form.
May 25, 2010: The cuts to subsidized child care challenge the central tenet of the welfare overhaul adopted in 1996, which imposed a five-year lifetime limit on cash assistance, read more.
May 20, 2010: Give Your Kids A Head Start With State's Free VPK, read more.
May 19, 2010: South Florida Workforce is Recruiting to Fill Jobs through the Florida Back to Work Program, read more.
May 18, 2010: Read the latest Deepwater Horizon Response situation report.
May 18, 2010: For information on the ongoing efforts to clean up the Gulf Oil Spill please click here.
May 17, 2010: Issue #5 of the ELC News Alert has been released, read more.
May 14, 2010: Low-quality child care can have lasting impact, watch the video and read more!
May 12, 2010: Our Quality Counts is included in this new and extensive study of QRS initiatives around the nation, read more.
May 7, 2010: Proposed VPK Provider Payment Rates by county for VPK for fiscal year 2010-11, read more.

April 2010

April 30, 2010: Senate Bill 2014 by Senator Wise has passed and is on the Governor's desk, read the bill.
April 21, 2010: VPK Funding preserved! Your phone calls, emails, and trips to Tallahassee have paid off. The House and the Senate agreed on a $404.8M appropriation for VPK, read more.
April 21, 2010: Want to be a part of Child Care Executive Partnership? To participate for the 2010-2011 school year, please visit our CCEP webpage to download the necessary forms and fax them back no later than Monday, May 10, 2010.
April 16, 2010: Issue #4 of the ELC News Alert has been Released, read more.
April 14, 2010: VPK funding is still in jeopardy! See how YOU can help, read more.
April 14, 2010: Florida Family Child Care Home Association will have their 18th Annual Conference June 22-27, 2010, read more.
April 14, 2010: Florida Family Child Care Home Association is looking for presenters for their upcoming conference, read more.
April 6, 2010: Florida Cabinet for Children and Youth Report releases their report on kindergarten readiness, Kindergarten Readiness Turn the Curve Exercise Summary
FLKRS Results for Florida

March 2010

March 26, 2010: AWI releases Employment figures for February 2010, read more.
March 25, 2010: FLORIDA’S VPK STUDENTS ARE BETTER PREPARED FOR SUCCESS IN KINDERGARTEN~ Latest results indicate VPK students score higher than their non-VPK peers in key learning areas, read more.
March 22, 2010: New dates added tot he VPK Standards Trainings, read more.
March 22, 2010: 4th Annual: All Kids Included Family Arts Festival “A Quilting Safari” April 17th At Miami Children’s Museum, read more. For more information read the press release from Miami-Dade County, in English or en español
March 18, 2010: VPK funding is in jeopardy! We need to engage all early learning partners and stakeholders to educate legislative members on the implications of reductions. Click here to see how you can help!
March 17, 2010: Reading is essential to a child's learning process. That's why Target awards grants to schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations to support programs such as after-school reading events and weekend book clubs, read more.
March 17, 2010: Is Your Pre-K Teacher Giving What They Get? Read the article from education.com
March 17, 2010: There will be legislative training session on March 26 in English and Spanish, read more.
March 15, 2010: Another Tight Budget Year, More Tough Cuts, read more from the Capital Connection Newsletter.
March 15, 2010: Read the latest issue of the VPK News Flash.
March 12, 2010: Issue #3 of the ELC News Alert has been Released, read more.
March 12, 2010: Legislative Update! Over the last week, the House and Senate have released their proposed budgets for both the School Readiness and VPK programs, read more.
March 11, 2010: Florida Department of Education has released the VPK Readiness Rates for 08-09. Click here to search the Readiness Rates.
March 10, 2010: BLOCK Fest - Coming to the United Way Center for Excellence - March 18th - Don't miss the fun, read more.
March 10, 2010: Miami-Dade County Community Action Agency presents the 8th Annual Pregnant Women, Infant and Toddlers Conference: Cherish the Moments, Treasure the Gems, read more.
March 10, 2010: AWI releases the unemployment figures for January 2010, read more.
March 9, 2010: Become a certified Parent Peer Group™ (PPG) MASTER Trainer for Informed Families - spaces still available for the training on March 26, 2010, read more.
March 8, 2010: Now is the perfect time to become more informed and actively involved on behalf of children and early care and education! read more
March 4, 2010: Governor Crist Promotes Florida’s Talent Supply Chain, From Pre-Kindergarten Through Higher Education, read more.
March 4, 2010: ELC celebrates Read Across America by reading Dr. Suess books to young children, read more.

February 2010

February 25, 2010: In the Wake of Recent State Budget Cuts, Coalition Reports Unprecedented Numbers of Children Benefiting from School Readiness Programs, Yet Thousands More Still In Need, read more.
February 24, 2010: Administration Increases Funds for Child Care in Federal Budget Proposal read more from the Early Care and Education Consortium.
February 24, 2010: Final 08-09 VPK Readiness Rates will be published and available for the general public on Friday, February 26, 2010, read more.
February 24, 2010: In a Salute to Dr. Seuss, Students at Shores School Center in Miami, Which Serves an 85% Haitian Population and Whose Families Have Been Impacted by Haiti’s Earthquake, to Participate in a Special Breakfast of “Green Eggs & Ham”, read more.
February 23, 2010: Help us celebrate Children's Week by creating hand artwork with your children! read more.
February 22, 2010: Technology companies, health professionals, and federal, state, and local agencies combine forces to provide free health information via text messages, read more.
February 22, 2010: US Census 2010 – Why every person counts!
Participating is easy, important and safe! Ten minutes to answer 10 questions can directly impact your quality of life, read more.
February 18, 2010: Do you want a bigger voice in Congress? Do you want more money for schools & hospitals?
-Participate in the 2010 Census
-Sea parte del Censo 2010
-Patisipe nan Census 2010
February 11, 2010: ELC News Alert Issue 2 has been released, read more.
February 10, 2010: In the Wake of Recent State Budget Cuts, Coalition Reports Unprecedented Numbers of Children Benefiting from School Readiness Programs, Yet Thousands More Still In Need, read more.
February 8, 2010:Help for 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 2010

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.

December 2009

December 24, 2009: Issue 15 of the News Alert has been released, read more.
December 22, 2009: Day-care center to lose state pre-K program. Early Learning Coalition of Marion County cites possible fraudulent procedures at Ocala's Kids Zone USA, read more.
December 22, 2009: FCSC releases their summary FY 2010-11 Budget Shortfall and its impact on Early Learning, read more.
December 21, 2009: DCF has released a draft of the 2009 Rule Changes as well as an Enforcement Fact Sheet.
December 15, 2009: The ECE has posted some of the 2010 conferences being organized by members of the World Forum Alliance and the Exchange Strategic Partners, read more.
December 15, 2009: FACCM 2010 Annual Conference will be held in Orlando, FL January 15-16, 2010, read more.
December 9, 2009: We are still collecting supplies to benefit a local children's home, read more.
December 8, 2009: Healthcare reform fact sheet and its impact, read more.
December 2, 2009: VPK providers can come to our office, 2555 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Coral Gables, to pick up VPK banners. Limit one banner per certified VPK Provider.
December 1, 2009: DCF The Child Care Licensing Department have training on the new Child Care Licensing requirements as well as immunization for the H1N1 Flu Virus, read more.

November 2009

November 24, 2009: Elizabeth Bellon of the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/
Monroe reads in English and Spanish to children at The Learning Center as part of a Reading is Fundamental (RIF) book distribution event. The coalition received a $125,000 grant from RIF, the nation’s largest literacy organization, to give books to a total of 28,000 children in both counties, read more on page 3A
November 24, 2009: City of Miami Fire Rescue will performing free car seat inspections at Station #10, 4101 NW 7th Street on Dec. 5, 2009
November 23, 2009: Issue 14 of the ELC News Alert has been released, read more
November 20, 2009: Tickets FORE Charity and the ELC have teamed up bring you a special $40 Any-Day ground pass to 2010 World Golf Championships-CA Championship to be held in the Doral Golf Resort & Spa and 75% of the net proceeds will directly benefit the Early Learning Coalition! read more
November 19, 2009: Miami-Dade Early Learning Centers Receive Grants Totaling $174,000 from IBM, read more
November 18, 2009: Miami-Dade County Health Department announces Special H1N1 Flu Vaccination Day, November 21, 2009 read more,
Día especial de vacunación contra la gripe H1N1 lea mas,
Jou Espesiyal ou Ka Pran Vaksen Kont Grip H1N1plis enfòrmasyon
November 17, 2009: ELC will host a book distribution with guest reader "Story Lady" Danielle Bascomb read more.
November 10, 2009: Download the activities flyer for the third RIF-ELC Book Distribution.
November 10, 2009: Miami-Dade County Health Department announces Special H1N1 Flu Vaccination Day, November 11, 2009 read more,
Día especial de vacunación contra la gripe H1N1 lea mas,
Jou Espesiyal ou Ka Pran Vaksen Kont Grip H1N1plis enfòrmasyon
November 5, 2009: Rep. Ari Porth Convenes State’s First-Ever Early Childhood Caucus ~ Bipartisan group to examine best practice ways to prepare Florida’s children for the future, read more
November 5, 2009: Bipartisan group to focus on children's issues, including VPK Six Tampa Bay area lawmakers -- three Republicans and three Democrats -- are among 20 members of a new bipartisan group focusing on early childhood issues, including Florida's voluntary prekindergarten program, read more
November 5, 2009: Terri Lynne Lokoff/Children’s TYLENOL® National Child Care Teacher Awards™ award acknowledges the critical role of child care teachers in providing quality early care and education. The ELC encourages Miami-Dade and Monroe county child care teachers to apply , read more.
November 3, 2009: ELC releases three RFPs: Data Management, Child Assessment and Screenings, Inclusion Services.

October 2009

October 29, 2009: Issue 13 of the ELC News Alert is out, read more.
October 29, 2009: Town Hall Meeting to discuss Degreed Teachers In Pre-K Classrooms will be held in N. Seminole on December 15, 2009, read more.
October 27, 2009: Congratulations to the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe - winner of the 2009 GMSHRM Diversity & Inclusion Award, read more
October 27, 2009: AWI has published VPK 80:20 attendance rule FAQs and examples, read more
October 27, 2009: HB 201 was filed in the Florida House of Representatives and its companion SB 248 was filed in the senate both concern background screenings for early care and education employees, read more
October 27, 2009: Congratulations to the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe - winner of the 2009 GMSHRM Diversity & Inclusion Award, read more
October 27, 2009: AWI has published VPK 80:20 attendance rule FAQs and examples, read more
October 27, 2009: HB 201 was filed in the Florida House of Representatives and its companion SB 248 was filed in the senate both concern background screenings for early care and education employees, read more
October 26, 2009: America After 3pm publishes report Top 10 States for Afterschool in 2009, read more
October 26, 2009: America After 3pm publishes report Florida After 3pm, read more
October 26, 2009: Florida Named a Top 10 State for Afterschool Programs
But Expert Says State Has “Long Way to Go”, read more
October 23, 2009: Chicago Tribune: Latino toddlers lag white peers, studies find, read more
October 23, 2009: Hosted by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, One Voice is an online forum dedicated to addressing the state's economic issues with a "one voice" approach. To learn more and become actively engaged in the discussion to better the future for all Floridians, read more
October 23, 2009: Give kids an early chance from the Orlando Sentinel
October 22, 2009: Bremerton Patriot Educators from several state school districts got an education in early learning from some leaders in the field this week read more
October 16, 2009: AWI releases Florida’s September Employment Figures
October 16, 2009: Chamber Firms Up Political, Business Goals for Florida
October 14, 2009: Providers if are interested in receiving a H1N1 vaccination, please download the appointment form and fax it back before Monday October 19, with the time of your appointment.
October 12, 2009: Become a certified Parent Peer Group™ (PPG) MASTER Trainer for Informed Families - spaces still available for the training on 10/14/09 and 11/18/09, read more.
October 9, 2009: Issue 12 of the ELC News Alert is out, read more.
October 7, 2009: National Women’s Law Center releases a study of child care policies in the US. More states made cuts than made improvements, read more.
October 6, 2009: The RAND Corporation releases policy brief Promoting Effective Preschool Programs.
October 2, 2009: Download the activities flyer for the Second RIF-ELC Book Distribution.

September 2009

September 30, 2009: The Guardian ad Litem Program is looking for volunteers, read more.
September 29, 2009: AWI Presentation on the Provider Market Rate Survey for the Program and Strategy Committee is available for download.
September 23, 2009: VPK News Flash includes information on the attendance policy, read more.
September 18, 2009: Draft Matrix of Services developed by the Inclusion Task Force for 18 -36 months and 3 to 5 years.
September 15, 2009: VPK Providers who took an instructor led course can now update their transcript by faxing, scanning and/or mailing certificates to the ELC, read more.
September 9, 2009: CDC releases guidance to help Child Care Programs respond to the 2009–2010 Influenza Season, read more.

August 2009

August 17, 2009: Download the RIF Book Distribution Activities Flyer.
August 14, 2009: ELC releases 2006-2008 Report, read more.