April 2020 Newsletter
  • What's Happening in April?
  • COVID-19 Resources for Parents and Providers
  • Online Learning Opportunity for VPK
  • Child Care Initiative for First Responders and Health Care Workers
  • Mental Health Webinar with Tykes and Teens
What's Happening in April?
What is Week of the Young Child 2020?
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) hosts the nationwide Week of the Young Child Celebration every year. This celebration focuses on the importance of the first 2,000 days of life. In addition, WOYC aims to lift up parents, teachers and communities that support our youngest children.

How will you celebrate? Share your stories using #WOYC20
Did you know… April is Child Abuse Prevention Month?! 

Kids and parents in your community need support—and you can help! Learn how you can make #GreatChildhoods happen at PreventChildAbuseFL.org .
April is Autism Awareness Month
Think you know about Autism? This site has a great, informative video that will help you learn more. Check out the video. It is a must watch!

PARENTS
Warm Line- Inclusion Services
Parents, during these uncertain times, you may start to have concerns about your child's social and emotion well-being. Good news! ELCIRMO is here to help. Please call our Warm Line with any concerns you may have regarding your child's develop.

For example, you may be noticing that your child is having difficulties with be environmental adaptions, managing behavior, or you may have general child development concerns. Reach out to our Inclusion Coordinator via the Warm Line, if you have questions about services for your children.
Warm Line

Martin County
772 223-3852

Indian River &Okeechobee
877 220-1223 ex: 252
Introducing Literacy Corner Tidbits
Dear Families,

As you take on yet another very important responsibility in your child’s life, the daily role of being a lead teacher. The early childhood professionals at ELCIRMO are here for you!

As such, we have designed this literacy corner to provide you with a few instructional tidbits on how to continue to advance the developmentally appropriate learning of your child in the area of language development and other forms of print literacy while working from home.
FAU CARD Parent Resource
FAU CARD has developed a resource guide for parents working from home with children with autism.

What is inside: At Home Teaching Support for Pre-K through High school. County Specific Resources, Florida Department of Education Resources, General Autism Resources, General Covid-19 Resources, Mental Health, Social Stories, Secondary Resources
Early Learning Parents' Pages
April's issue of OEL's Parents' Pages is available. In this issue:
  • Autism Awareness
  • Earth Day 2020
  • Talking to Your Child about COVID
  • And much more...
PROVIDERS
CDC Guidance for Childcare Programs that Remain Open
These additional considerations are intended to provide guidance for a range of child care programs, including:

  • Family child care programs, also known as home-based child care
  • Pre-K (Pre-Kindergarten) programs at private and public schools
  • Head Start and Early Head Start programs
  • Private child care centers
  • Temporary child care centers operated by municipalities for the children of essential service providers, such as first responders, healthcare workers, transit workers, and/or other industries where a parent cannot stay home
  • Child care centers that partner with healthcare facilities to support healthcare workers who need child care

This information is intended for child care programs that remain open, and should be used in conjunction with CDC’s guidance for administrators of child care programs and K-12 schools. This guidance does not supersede state and local laws and policies for child care programs.
Childcare Initiative for
First Responders & Health Care Workers
In an effort to lessen the burden on essential healthcare workers and first responders, we are offering child care services through our approved School Readiness Providers.
Services will be available for up to 90 days. There are no applicant income eligibility restrictions to participate in
this program.
We are here to assist in navigating this process. Please encourage parents and caregivers to call our office at (772) 220-1220 and ask for Family Services.
T.E.A.C.H. is still here for you
Did you know that T.E.A.C.H. works with a number of colleges and training institutions throughout Florida that offer online classes?

You can earn a credential or take a college class or two from the comforts of your own home. Visit www.teach-fl.com to apply for a T.E.A.C.H. scholarship today. We are currently accepting applications for the summer and fall semesters.

We invite you to take advantage of a great opportunity to advance your professional development by taking college-credit classes and earning credentials in early childhood education.
COMMUNITY
MARTIN COUNTY TOUCH A TRUCK
RESCHEDULED

Due to COVID-19 our annual Touch A Truck event in Martin County was canceled. At this time, we would like to announce a tentative date for this event to take place on December 5 th . We hope that you all will be able to participate on this new date. We look forward to being together for such a great community event. Please mark your calendars. See you in December!
New Program for Martin County Residents
Are you know seeking employment but having trouble scheduling interviews due to childcare restrictions? Are you a Martin County Resident with children under the age of 5? We can help!
Through funding from the Children’s Services Council of Martin County we will be able to accept clients into our program.
You will need:
  • Birth Certificate 
  • Proof of Residency in Martin County 
  • Prepared for a phone interview with one of our Family Services Specialist to see if you are a match for the program 
For more information on the Pre-Bridge Program thought ELCIRMO, please call 772-220-1220.
COVID-19 Resources & Information
Please visit our website and Facebook for updates regrading COVID-19 and ELCIRMO programs. You will find the most recent communications and resources under the COVID-19 tab on out home page.
Upcoming Board Meetings
All meetings are open to the public. Providers are welcome to attend.

Please check the website calendar for any changes/cancellations to the above dates, times and location.
Board Meetings
7:45AM

04/23/2020
05/28/2020
06/25/2020
Bylaws & Personnel Committee
8:00AM

04/29/2020
05/27/2020
06/24/2020
Program Committee
1:30PM

04/13/2020
05/11/2020
06/08/2020
Executive Committee
8:30AM

04/07/2020
05/05/2020
06/02/2020
Finance Committee
8:30AM

04/29/2020
05/27/2020
06/24/2020
Are you interested in serving on the Board?
Florida Statute requires that the membership of the Early Learning Coalition’s Board of Directors include three Governor Appointees. We currently have an opening on the Board of Directors for a Governor Appointee. Applications are to be submitted     directly to the Office of the Governor through an online application process which can be found at:
Additional information about the ELC of IRMO can be found at www.elcirmo.org .
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