ARPA Discretionary

We are pleased to share information about the remaining grants/initiatives available under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Quality Initiatives. These opportunities are designed to support early childhood education programs, aiming to enhance the quality of services provided. We encourage you to explore these initiatives and take advantage of the funding available.

*Grants are subject to closure at any time based on the remaining funding availability and may close before the deadline.

Closed Opportunities

• Playground Equipment Initiative

• Self-Care

• Sunshine Scholars

• Outdoor Gardens

• Outdoor Safety

Due to the remarkable funding opportunities developed by the Coalition team, there has been an overwhelming response to these initiatives, resulting in a high number of applications. While we have always aimed to respond to inquiries within 24 hours, we kindly ask for your patience and understanding as our team's response time now exceeds this timeframe.

2024 W-9: Important Update!

All contracted providers who have not yet completed their 2024-2025 Provider Profile, will be required to use the updated 2024 W-9 form. Please complete this document and upload it into your provider portal when applying for the 2024-2025 contract year. Providers will need to upload this into the document section of the profile under IRS Form W-9.  If you have already have an active provider profile for 2024-2025, it will need to be uploaded to the document tab 2024-2025 profile no later than July 31, 2024

If you have any questions , please email [email protected] 

Apply to be a Summer VPK Provider

NOW Available

You can now log into your provider portal and apply. Before applying, make sure to complete your 2024-2025 Provider Profile.

Summer VPK can start as early as May 1, and must end before Hillsborough County Schools begin on August 12th.

If you need help or have questions, contact your contract specialist or email [email protected].

Coalition Connection | March 26, 2024 CANCELED

Profile and Contract Assistance 

The ELCHC staff is offering assistance to providers who need help creating and completing their 2024-2025 Provider Profile/Contract. ELCHC staff will be offering in-person and virtual assistance. Please see the dates below to sign up. 

When emailing your contract specialist to register for the event, please include whether you are requesting in-person (at the ELCHC office located at 6302 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd. Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33619) or virtual.

If you attend one of our sessions, you will be entered into a raffle to win a PRIZE!!

VPK APPS and SR Contracts should be initiated within the next few weeks.

You must have an Active 2024-2025 Profile to have an app or contract initiated. 

Questions? Email [email protected]

Please register no later than two days before the event date.

Mark your calendars for Teacher's Night Out - An Out Of This World Experience!

Dress to impress in your best intergalactic attire and prepare for an evening of discovery. Tickets go on sale April 4, 2024. To access all the details about Teacher's Night Out, click the link below!

Provider closures / Site relocations 

The ELCHC requires a 30-day notification when there is an ownership change or there is a change to the location of a site. As a reminder SR and VPK contracts are non-transferable, and a new contract would be required for any new order or location. 

Questions: email 

[email protected]

School Readiness Attendance: Do's and Don'ts

If you are a provider offering School Readiness, you are required to ensure children are signed in and out of your childcare program by the authorized guardian or person picking up or dropping off the child each day the child attends. You are also responsible for verifying all attendance at the end of the month with your signature. (Submit attendance by the third business day of the month)

Questions: email 

[email protected] or contact your reimbursement specialist.

When to contact the CCR&R Coordinator

When families are searching for quality and affordable childcare options, this can also include:

• Help navigate childcare options and learn the difference between centers, FCCHs, and afterschool programs for school-age children.
• Have specific needs such as location, budget constraints, or special requirements for their child.
• Need guidance or support in making informed decisions about a child's early education and development.
• Need assistance accessing community resources such as financial assistance for child care, parenting classes, or healthcare services.

• Working closely with our Outreach Coordinator, can help provide information on community events related to early childhood, parenting, or family support resources.
• When an agency or community group is interested in learning about ELCHC programs and initiatives.

To reach the CCR&R coordinator, call 813-515-2340

Florida Training on ASQ-3 & ASQSE-2 in Spanish and English coming up.

Spanish Session: Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 9:00 am -12:00 pm at ELCHC

English Session: Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 pm at ELCHC

Training Topics:

•  Florida’s screening requirements for the School Readiness Program
•  Purpose of screening
•  Benefits of parent report
•  Features of the ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2
•  Recommended practices for how to work together with parents to screen
•  How to talk to parents about screening
•  Follow-up activities for home & school

To register, please email your full name, name of the site, and phone number to [email protected].

ESOL Cohorts are Open

Next ESOL cohorts are open beginning in April. Space is limited! Stipend available at the completion of the course! click the link below to register.

Upcoming ELCHC Board of Directors Meetings

All meetings of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County Board of Directors are held from 3:00 PM until the conclusion of business at 6302 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33619. For access to the meetings via telephone, please visit our website at www.elchc.org/about-us/board-of-directors/

Monday, June 24, 2024

Board of Directors Budget Workshop

Monday, June 3, 2024

Individuals wishing to address the ELCHC Board of Directors may fill out a Public Comment Request card. If you would like an opportunity to provide public comment, please click here to submit a public comment prior to the meeting you’d like to attend.

Said comments will be limited to three (3) minutes per individual on a first-come,

first-served basis, and only at such time as is identified on the official meeting agenda

for public comment.