Run ELC Track to the Future Rescheduled |
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Run ELC is back on!
Run ELC Track to the Future on May 1st was delayed due to weather and will now be held on Friday, June 10th, 2022 at 6:30PM EST in Cascades Park.
If you previously registered for the May 1st race your registration will be honored for our new date. New participants can register now until June 8th.
Track to the Future will be fun for the whole family! Keep your kids on the right track by participating in our 1 Mile Fun Run or 5K Race.
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Update Your Provider Profile! |
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Have you updated your Provider Profile yet?
Now is the time to update your Provider Profile for the 2022-23 year!
Only 5 days left to update your provider profile, don't wait, get it done today! Click HERE to update and submit your provider profile by May 31st, 2022.
If you have any questions please contact providerservices@elcbigbend.org or (850) 552-7312
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Kidpreneur Summer 2022!
We are now accepting applications for our FREE summer Kidpreneur program!
This business learning program runs from June 22nd to August 6th and will teach your child how to run a business from start to finish. Business options include jewelry making, home gardener, mixed medium artist, and wood maker.
These businesses can teach your child gross and fine motor skills, research based learning, customer service, public speaking, and collaboration. To register for this program click HERE.
To learn more about the Kidpreneur program, attend the information session on Zoom June 7th at 6:00PM EST. If you have any questions reach out to us by email at outreach@elcbigbend.org or by phone at (850) 552-7302. Click HERE for the Zoom meeting invitation. |
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VPK Application Information |
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Applications for the 2022-2023 school year are open! Please remember that the eligibility requirements for this program is as follows:
- The child must be four years old on or before September 1, 2022
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The child must be a Florida resident
To enroll in this free program, please visit our website HERE.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in Summer VPK please consider these current ELC Approved Summer VPK programs: Anchor School Inc, Betton Hills Prep, Gallop's Family Center INC, Kingdom Life Prep, LCS Wesson, Leon County School - ECPDC, North Florida Education Services, Taylor County Primary School, Wakulla County Pre-K.
Providers, if you are interested in becoming a Summer VPK Program contact providerrelations@elcbigbend.org.
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Phase VI Grant Applications |
Final call for Providers to apply for Phase VI grant dollars. If you were open on September 1, 2021 and are currently serving children, this is a grant opportunity you do not want to miss!
Funding is available to private early learning/child care providers and contracted school district providers that were classified as operational/open on September 1, 2021 and are providing on-site early learning/child care services on the date of application.
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There are several steps to becoming a contracted ELC provider.
Step 1: Obtain your DCF license.
Step 2: Contact ELC's Provider Relations at providerrelations@elcbigbend.org.
Step 3: Complete your Provider Profile.
Step 4: Attend ELC's New Provider Orientation.
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Child Care Assistance Funds Available
The Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region, Inc. (ELC) is currently enrolling families into the School Readiness program. We are excited to announce that we have reached out to every family on our wait list before May 17th, 2022.
Additionally, if you know a family that could benefit from our services, please forward them this newsletter and visit our website for more information!
School Readiness (SR) is a state and federally funded child care tuition assistance program which includes before care, after school care, and summer programs.
Each year, over 250 child care programs take part in the SR program throughout the Big Bend Region. Providers include: Family Child Care Homes, Private Child Care Centers, Faith Based Programs, and Public School Programs.
Families interested in receiving child care tuition assistance through this program must complete an application in Florida’s Early Learning Family Portal HERE.
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ELC 2022 Early Education Conference Recap |
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Pictured above are Chief Program Officer, Arnold McKay, Early Care and Education Manager, Melanie Worley Sanders, and Keynote Speaker Curtis Zimmerman! |
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On Saturday, May 21st, we held our ELC Early Education Conference with the theme "A Whole New World"! Our participants got to start out fresh in A Whole New World while listening to our exciting speakers including Chancellor of Early Learning, Matt Mears, speakers Ryan Woods, Rachel Giannini, and Erin Ramsey, and Keynote Speaker Curtis Zimmerman.
From lavender farms to magic tricks, this was an educational day learning about mental health, making every moment count, and living inspired. Are you living the dream?
Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and worked at this conference, we hope you had a great time and join us again in 2023!
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Monticello Watermelon Festival
The Monticello-Jefferson Chamber of Commerce is excited to host their 71st annual Watermelon Festival with the theme "Sweetest Smiles of Summer"
Join us on Saturday, June 18th from 9:00am - 4:00pm EST in downtown Monticello for a day of fun! ELC will be hosting a craft booth and giving away free books to children.
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Free Nutrition Education Classes in Taylor County
"Researchers from the University of Florida and the UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program (FNP) invite you to a live online program. Learn tips and strategies for creating a happier, healthier home and lifestyle."
Take advantage of this free 6-week class taught on Zoom by Family Nutrition Educators. Participants will receive up to $110 in electronic gift cards and colorful guides.
This opportunity is open for parents and caregivers of children ages 6-11 years old.
For more information contact Corrie Willis at cwillis@ufl.edu or (850) 838-3508.
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Enjoy the Great Outdoors this Summer |
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Get Ready for Great Outdoors Month June 2022
Great outdoors month is June, 2022 and we encourage everyone to explore all that nature has to offer! Spend time outdoors as a family and get inspired by these activities:
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Sidewalk Chalk- Families can play fun games like Tic Tac Toe, hopscotch, or compete in different art contest.
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Camping- A great nighttime activity is to build a campfire and huddle around as a family. You could do this in your backyard or at a nearby campground. Have some fun stories (or songs) ready to go and prep plenty of fixings for hotdogs and s’mores. If your family is extra outdoorsy, go for the full shebang and camp overnight.
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Swimming/water activities- Who doesn’t love water day? During these hot summer days, take some time to enjoy your local splash pad or aquatic center.
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Family picnic in the park- Shop together as a family beforehand to select delicious foods that all will enjoy. Go to your kids’ favorite park and enjoy the day. Don’t forget your kites!
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Go for a hike- Depending on your kids’ hiking abilities, select a local trail and go for a nice stroll. If you want to keep it easy, choose a flat terrain and short distance.
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Go on a scavenger hunt- Have a caretaker, or an older sibling, come up with a list of natural objects you’re bound to find in your local habitat. For example: acorns, a worm, different types of leaves, a bunny rabbit, a spiderweb, a pinecone... the possibilities are endless! Aim for about 15 to 25 depending on how ambitious you're feeling, then hit the outdoors together and see what you can find.
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ECE Practitioner Day
"Get set for a full day geared toward the support and well-being of CDA® professionals and practitioners in the ECE field. Register to attend professional development, health and self-care sessions, along with the chance to network with your peers. Registration is only $100.
Come early or extend your stay over the holiday weekend! Although hotel accommodations are not included with registration, the Council Alumni Network has negotiated an excellent rate of $159 per night plus tax and a reduced resort fee rate at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld®."
When: October 8, 2022
Where: Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
Orlando, Florida
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Tax Relief Holiday Schedule
This summer, take advantage of the many tax relief holidays.
Find savings from May to October on children's books, disaster preparedness, event tickets, diapers, baby clothes, school supplies, and home improvement items.
Be a part of the $1.4 billion saved in tax relief.
For the full schedule of each savings, view the calendar linked below.
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Florida Hometown Housing Program |
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The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program makes homeownership affordable for eligible frontline community workers such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, child care employees, and active military or veterans.
This program provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time, income-qualified homebuyers so they can purchase a primary residence in the community in which they work and serve. The Florida Hometown Heroes Loan Program also offers a lower first mortgage rate and additional special benefits to those who have served and continue to serve their country.
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The success of our work here at the ELC is dependent on the feedback we receive from our parents, families, and providers.
We invite you to take our quick, 3-question survey to improve our customer service, optimize user experience, and deliver exactly what our community needs.
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Sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region, Inc. (ELC) and the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning
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