It's a wrap on another successful Children's Week!

We hope you were able to join us March 26-31 for the 28th annual Children’s Week Florida^TMevent! The Children's Forum is proud to be the Organizing Partner for Children's Week Florida^TM, which is held each year during Florida's legislative session. As the largest event held in the state that celebrates and honors a commitment to children, youth, and advocates, Children's Week Florida^TM brings partners, advocates, teachers, and families together to speak as One Voice to our state legislators that every child should be healthy, ready to learn, and able to achieve their full potential.

More than 11,000 pieces of children's hand artwork from all across the state were displayed in the Capitol Rotunda during Children's Week.

Congratulations to Dr. Mimi Graham and Sruthi Sentil who were our 2023 Chiles Advocacy and Youth Advocate Award recipients.

For the 1,700 Children's Day attendees, there were plenty of interactive activities, fun exhibits, and mascots at the Capitol, including Ted. E. Bear, M.D., from Aetna Better Health^® of Florida.

Workshop Wednesday featured virtual sessions on the importance of early childhood advocacy and children's advocacy centers.

Our Teen Thursday event allowed students, youth, and teens from across the state to see the legislative process in action.

View a photo gallery from this year's Children's Week events

Check out our videos from Children's Week 2023

Children's Week would not be possible without the generous support of our Partners. We appreciate their contributions, time and advocacy efforts towards Florida's children and families.

Planning efforts for Children's Week Florida^TM 2024 are currently underway. More details will be coming soon.

Forum graduates first class of Advocacy Fellows

The inaugural class of the Early Childhood Policy WORKS Advocacy Fellowship (ECPWAF) have graduated as advocacy experts after a year-long series of in-person and virtual workshops! The graduates enjoyed a ceremony during Children's Week in March of 2023.

As an initiative of the Children's Forum, ECPWAF, which has been renamed to the Florida Early Childhood Advocacy Fellowship (FECAF), aims to overcome the challenges and barriers facing advocacy and engagement. FECAF guides early learning advocates through the legislative system and best pratices for getting involved in the process.

The 19 Advocacy Fellows included a diverse cadre of teachers, parents, directors, and early childhood stakeholders. They became equipped and empowered to serve as change agents in local, state, and national conversations around issues of early childhood and the early learning workforce.

Congratulations, graduates! We are so proud of you and can't wait to see you in action.

FECAF has started another cohort of Advocacy Fellows through the Association of Early Learning Coalitions. Stay tuned for more information.

It’s all about the Gold

The Florida Legislature established the Gold Seal Quality Care Program in 1996 to recognize child care providers that have gone above the minimum licensing standards to become accredited. So, what exactly is the Gold Seal Quality Program all about? Most people think it’s an accreditation, but it’s a designation issued to child care providers who exceed licensing requirements and provide high-quality care.

The designation is voluntary and it’s free with wonderful benefits such as:

Marketing opportunities to increase your business.
A higher reimbursement rate for School Readiness providers.
Tax exemptions, including educational materials and property.
Meets program eligibility requirements for VPK participation.

It’s easy to apply for the Gold Seal Quality Care Program! Applications are accepted throughout the year.

For additional information about this designation, please call the Gold Seal Unit at 850-487-6300 or send an email to goldsealproviderapps@thechildrensforum.com.

INCENTIVE$ now available in Orange County

Have you heard the great news? The Early Childhood Educator INCENTIVE$ Florida program that provides financial incentives (annual stipends) between $450 and $5,000 based on your education level and sustained employment is now available in Orange County!

In partnership with Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, INCENTIVE$ rewards YOU for doing what you love – nurturing young minds in your early learning centers and homes! INCENTIVE$ is also available in Broward, Hillsborough, and Osceola counties.

With INCENTIVE$, the greater your education level, the higher your annual stipend. Click here to view the INCENTIVE$ award scale with qualifying education.

INCENTIVE$ is here to help you succeed, encourage your professional growth, and support educators like you to remain in the early childhood workforce.

What are you waiting for? Click on the button below to apply for INCENTIIVE$ today or call 850-487-6300 for details.

Apply for INCENTIVE$

Help Me Grow® Florida

launches new website!

We hope you enjoy exploring the latest and greatest Help Me Grow® Florida (HMGF) website! Check it out at https://helpmegrowfl.org/.

Some of our new features include:

A green Get Connected button which allows caregivers to connect directly with HMGF. Each of the four options gives you direct access to reach services that aim to create a brighter future for children.

The Pediatric Symptom Checklist is now available electronically. You can access this through the orange Complete a Screening button. This screening is for families with children ages 6-8. Upon completion, the results are emailed to your local Help Me Grow affiliate.

Partners Merge to become Florida After School, Inc.

We are happy to announce the official merger between the Florida Afterschool Alliance and the Florida Afterschool Network. Together, we are now known as Florida After School, Inc . We will continue to advocate for and equip out-of-school time stakeholders with resources to build the profession and support high-quality programs for all children and youth. We cannot wait to get to know our members better. #FLafterschool

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