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Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida launches community survey
The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida (ELCNWF) announced the launch of its Community Survey, aimed at gathering insights into the prevalent and critical issues faced by residents, service providers, businesses, and families in the region.
In a news release, ELCNWF said they “recognize the importance of understanding the diverse needs and concerns of the community it serves.” The survey has been commissioned to gain a comprehensive view of the challenges and priorities of Northwest Florida’s families, with the ultimate goal of better serving the region’s youngest learners.
“We want to hear from everyone who represents the broad interests of our region,” said Suzan Gage, executive director of the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida. “This includes businesses, individuals serving those in need, government representatives, families, and educators. By sharing their perspectives, participants will help shape the future of early childhood education and development in Northwest Florida.”
The survey covers topics ranging from participants’ vision for the community to their current needs and top priorities for the region. By gathering this data, ELCNWF aims to make informed decisions that will effectively and efficiently meet the needs of Northwest Florida’s youngest learners in the years to come.
“We encourage everyone to take part in this survey and to share it with their friends, family, and colleagues,” said Gage. “The more voices we hear, the better equipped we will be to address the challenges and opportunities facing Northwest Florida.”
The survey, accessible at https://www.research.net/r/NV9VC6F, will remain open until May 12.
Local veterans raise money for kids with crawfish boil
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — Some local veterans are doing their part to make life better for area children.
The American Legion Post 393 partnered with The Crawfish Kings Friday evening for their first-ever crawfish boil and bike ride.
They hoped to raise around $2,000 for the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida.
The money will go to fund reading, mental health, and inclusion programs for children up to the age of 5.
Early Learning Coalition Communications and Development Director Tami Valdez says this event will really help the kids.
“This is new for us, but we’re happy to get any support that we can get and the recognition for early learning,” Valdez said. “It’s such an important thing to make sure our children are ready to learn when they hit kindergarten and any community support we can get is wonderful.”
The groups are already planning for the second annual crawfish boil next April.
St. Joe donates to early learning coalition
Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida receives generous donation
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida received a big donation that will help young kids in the area with their education.
The St. Joe Community Foundation donated $96,000 to the coalition to help prepare kids for kindergarten.
They’ve been partners with the coalition for several years, and St. Joe’s donations help them improve and provide services such as School Readiness, Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten, and literacy coaching. Early Learning Coalition officials say these services make a big difference in children’s academic growth.
“Donations and partnerships like this really set our youngest learners up for success later on in life. Studies show that they’re more likely to graduate, they’re less likely to have negative behaviors, and they’re socially ready to tackle a lifelong journey of learning,” Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida Communications Specialist Brooke Powell said.
For more information on the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida, click here.
Lynn Haven preschoolers put their hands to work
LYNN HAVEN, Fla. (WMBB) – On Friday, preschoolers at the Hawks Nest Learning Tree in Lynn Haven put their hands to work, making their hands. Each child created a work of art, depicting their own hand.
The initiative is called “Painting of the Hands” organized by the early learning coalition of Northwest Florida.
All of the kid’s work is heading to Tallahassee where they will hang in the Capitol Rotunda, reminding legislators to remember Florida’s littlest citizens.
“The number one thing is making sure that we’re getting the support that the children need and the child care centers need. Whether it be for mental health or anything along the lines of any kind of support the children need, it all kind of goes back to the centers. So and ELC and making sure the coalitions being able to provide that support for us,” Bay County director and owner Jaimie Young said.
More than 25 kids participated in the project on Friday.
Learn more about the initiative here.
ArtKidDoo Art Festival returns this weekend
CHIPLEY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida is bringing back its ArtKidDoo children’s art festival.
The festival will be held on Saturday, February 17, at Chipley’s Shivers Park from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The event is free and will be offering hands-on arts and crafts as well as snacks, refreshments, games, and entertainment provided by local vendors.
For more information about the event watch the interview from NewsChannel 7 at 4.
Kids can get creative at Saturday art fest
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – ArtKidDoo is coming back bigger and better than ever!
The popular children’s event returns to the area after a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
ArtKidDoo is an event collaborating with the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida, childcare providers, local businesses, non-profit as well as civic organizations to help encourage awareness of the arts for young children.
The children’s art festival will be held on Saturday, February 17 at Shivers Park in Chipley from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
“We absolutely believe that it’s important for children to have access to that kind of messy play and creative learning time,” said Lindsay Holmes, the Education Services Director with the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florid
The one day is completely free to the public and will offer hands-on arts and crafts as well as snacks, games, and entertainment that is provided by local vendors.
“Early learning is the first step to life, and that’s what our organization does,” said Tami Valdez, the Communications and Development Director for the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida.
Ensure your child is on track with free developmental screenings
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) — The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida wants to make sure parents know about their free Help Me Grow program.
Help Me Grow Northwest Florida is a free developmental screening service for children under 8 who live in Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties.
“Developmental screenings are very convenient, they’re easy; they shouldn’t take more than 25 minutes,” said Alyssa Gray, Special Programs Manager for the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida. “About once a year, a parent should check on their child’s development.”
Through a simple-to-use questionnaire, families can measure growth and take the necessary steps to ensure that their child’s developmental needs are being met.
“We work with the parent to empower them to continue to advocate for their children in the system, but we want to make sure the system is easier to access,” said Gray.
To access the development screening and learn more about the program, click here.
Guest column: The importance of early childhood education
Suzan Gage, Special to the News-Herald
The older children get, the more we can see how significant their younger years were in their development. Experiences occurring during this period provide the foundation for them as individuals when they grow older. With a strong foundation, they can grow into successful adults.
This is why the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida (ELCNWF) emphasizes the importance of early education and the effects it can have on your children beyond their youngest years.
There are many tools available that contribute to a child’s future success, but two big factors that help ensure your child is on track for a bright education: consistently doing checkups on how they’re developing and understanding the far-reaching impact childcare teachers have on a child’s life.
These go hand in hand as parents and guardians search for resources that will help them navigate the complexities of raising a child and setting them up for success.
It’s vitally important for parents to understand just how ready their children are for kindergarten, both physically and developmentally. ELCNWF is partnered with Help Me Grow Northwest Florida, which offers free developmental screenings to children younger than 9 who live in Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties.
The screening begins with a simple questionnaire that will help families better understand their child’s growth and ensure that they are on the developmental track to success. Help Me Grow Northwest Florida knows how crucial early intervention is and encourages parents to use the screenings to celebrate their children’s milestones.
This service will also connect a family with a professional if early intervention is appropriate. The results of these screenings can also be shared with childcare teachers so they’re able to understand and accommodate each child’s unique needs.
Childcare teachers are the building blocks for a child’s educational success, and they set the foundation for our children’s lifelong learning experiences. Kickstart Success addresses the need for more childcare teachers in our local communities and early learning centers.
This is a tremendous opportunity for local residents to launch a career in early education, making a difference in the lives of the next generation. Becoming a childcare teacher at your own child’s learning center is a great way to make a meaningful impact in your community while spending precious quality time with your own child and being a mentor to their peers.
ELCNWF recognizes that it takes more than just one thing to ensure every child has a bright future. Developmental screenings and childcare teachers work to enhance local childcare centers and support improved early education. The result is nothing short of better outcomes for all our area’s children.
Suzan Gage is the executive director of the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida. For more information on Help Me Grow Screenings and Kickstart Success, visit elcnwf.org.
ELCNWF ANNOUNCES GRANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS
$10K GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND MATERIALS
Marianna, FL – Childcare centers across the country are no longer receiving direct government aid from the American Rescue Plan Act; however, some of that funding is still accessible following decisions from state lawmakers to set aside $315 million to continue helping childcare providers through June 30, 2024.
ELCNWF, which services Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington Counties is expected to receive $4.9 million dollars from the Early Learning Discretionary Grant Program.
The first round of funding of $1.2 million began October 27. Childcare providers in ELCNWF’s service area can apply for $10,000 grants to offset operational costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be open until December 1 or until funds are expended. So far, 53 childcare providers have received grants totaling $530K.
Allowable expenditures include items such as indoor and outdoor equipment, classroom materials, payroll or bookkeeping software and licensing fees.
“We are so grateful to be able to provide these grants to support childcare providers,” said ELCNWF Executive Director Suzan Gage. “Childcare providers are dealing with changing demands and increasing costs. These grants will help bring providers relief so that they can continue serving families in Northwest Florida.”
The next round of funding for childcare centers will be announced in early 2024. Providers who contract with ELCNWF will receive email notifications and the application will be posted on our website.
Providers can apply for the first round of funding using the link below:
For more information on grant funding, contact Lindsay Holmes at [email protected]. For media availability, contact Tami Valdez, at [email protected].