Network News
March 2022
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Welcome to Future Ready Collier's (FRC) Network News! FRC is a collective impact network mobilized around early development, school success, and college & career success. We meet regularly to maximize resources, share best practices, and collaborate to support all students in Collier County, Southwest Florida.
Across the Network...
Partner Spotlight...
Child's Path
CEO and FRC Contact: Heather Singleton

Mission: Strengthen and enrich the lives of underserved children and families in Collier County through high-quality early childhood education. 

Why is Child's Path involved in FRC?
Child’s Path aligns closely with FRC’s vision of creating life-changing learning experiences and engaging the community to support our students’ success. Our focus is on providing access to high-quality early education to children, birth to age five, which paves the way to future academic success.

What should we know about Child's Path?
Child’s Path has earned national accreditation for its high-quality early learning programs and for exemplifying excellence in the care of children, as awarded by the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs. Only 17% of local centers have this high-quality seal. As one of the largest providers of early childhood education in Collier County, 75% of children enrolled in Child’s Path programs receive tuition assistance from our Bright Paths Scholarship Program.

Also, Child’s Path is hosting its first Early Childhood Teacher Job Fair on March 19, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Child’s Path Santa Barbara location, and it will include raffle prizes, complimentary breakfast, and candidates are welcome to bring their families. Click the button below for more!
At the March Lunch & Learn we discussed the incredible importance and impact of Early Learning on economic development. Click here for more!
*FAFSA, *FTW...*IRL!
FAFSA completion is one of the many steps that high school seniors and their parents/guardians are asked to complete, no matter their plans beyond high school. However, to many it's a big hurdle, or a mythological "magic wand" that some say is not worth the effort.

We know that right now only 31% of high school seniors in Collier County have completed the FAFSA. Please spread the word and help our new adults prepare for their next step! The FAFSA is not a hurdle, nor is it a roadblock. *TBH, It just takes a plan and a little time, then it can open many doors.

Last year, seniors in Collier (class of 2021) left over $3 million dollars in Pell grants alone on the table. We know we can do better, and our young adults deserve better! FRC is working with several organizations to help families achieve this important step over the next few months. If you want to get involved, please email us.

If you need resources for completing the FAFSA, click the button below. Only a few months left. We can do this, *SWFL!
Translations for those who need it:
* FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid
* FTW = For The Win
* IRL= In Real Life
* TBH = To Be Honest
* SWFL = ...If you don't know this one already, send us a DM.
Training Opportunity
Future Ready Collier partners, we have an opportunity to participate in a free equity learning series hosted by TNTP (The New Teacher Project). The training will discuss "The Opportunity Myth" and how unconscious bias shows up in our daily lives. Follow this link for more information.

We are looking for individuals within FRC who are interested, open, and can commit to two sessions: Wednesday May 11th and May 18th, from 10am-12pm.

This is an important opportunity and we encourage anyone in Future Ready Collier to consider participation. However, spaces are limited! If interested, email Carla Solis, FRC Coordinator, today.
Upcoming Events!
Support our young entrepreneurs!

Greater Naples Chamber’s Youth Business Fair will be open to the public on March 26th at Gulf Coast High School.

Proceeds benefit the Leadership Collier Foundation in support of work-based learning programs for local students. Click the image above for more information.
RSVP today for the April Lunch & Learn. Dr. Colleen Fletcher of CCPS will present on the new literacy program for K-5 schools, and how children can be supported in their development throughout the community.
"Castles were built one stone at a time." - Irish Proverb
Champions For Learning is the backbone organization supporting the network.
Check it out, we're now on LinkedIn!
FUTURE READY COLLIER www.futurereadycollier.org