Please report any closures or program changes due to COVID-19 to the Redline .

COVID-19 Mitigation Micro-Grant

The Coalition is reimbursing up to $500.00 for contracted School Readiness providers for their COVID-19 mitigation expenditures. Providers must complete the COVID-19 Mitigation Micro-Grant Application and upload receipts showing materials, supplies, or services purchased between March 1, 2020- April 10, 2020. To qualify for the micro-grant, your program must have already been a School Readiness provider as of 3/1/2020. School Readiness providers can receive only one micro-grant per contracted location. Grant applications will be accepted through 4/10/2020. If you have any questions regarding the COVID-19 Mitigation Micro-Grant please send them through the Redline. To access the application click on the Micro-Grant button or scan the QR code.

Updated Banking Information

It has been brought to the attention of the Coalition's Fiscal team that provider payments are being rejected by various banking institutions due to inaccurate account and/or routing numbers. If your banking institution notifies you of any updates or changes to your account or routing number, please notify the Coalition as soon as possible so we can update your account information and ensure you are paid in a timely manner.

Please submit any questions and/or concerns to the Redline .

Paid Leave & Tax Credits

The Internal Revenue Service is highly aware of COVID-19 and the impact it is having on small businesses. Please review the NEW paid leave tax credits listed below.

To take immediate advantage of new paid leave credits, businesses can retain and access funds that they would otherwise pay to the IRS in payroll taxes. Learn more about this tax opportunity and other IRS information related to COVID-19 outbreak by clicking the blue button below and consult your tax professional.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

COVID-19 Reemployment Assistance

If your employment has been negatively impacted as a result of the mitigation efforts in Florida to stop the spread of COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive Reemployment Assistance. Please review the list below for eligibility requirements.

To apply for assistance and review the list of required documentation please click the blue button below!

ASQ Screenings

The Coalition will continue to send emails to Providers with the updates of children needing ASQs due to new enrollments or annual birthdays.  If a SR Provider is unable to complete the ASQ due to circumstances related to COVID-19 (child absences, teachers absences, program closed) please reply to the email indicating the reason the provider is unable to complete the ASQ . Please send questions to the Redline .

Rule Update on Rules 6M-4.740 and 6M-4.741

Rules 6M-4.740 Program Assessment Requirements for School Readiness Programs and 6M-4.741 Program Assessment Threshold Requirements for the School Readiness Program are tentatively scheduled to go before the State Board of Education (SBOE) on April 1, 2020 . To see a copy of the proposed rules, the Program Assessment Handbook, and all other submitted materials, please click on the blue button below.

Available Rule Workshops

Don't let COVID-19 stop you from becoming the best version of yourself. Take this time to stay up to date on the latest OEL rule workshops below. Please click the workshop date and time link below to register for any specific workshop.

Rule 6M-4.630 Statewide Provider Contract Monitoring Tool for the SR Program

Tuesday, March 31, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. EDT or until business is concluded, whichever is earlier.

Tuesday, March 31, 2020, from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. EDT or until business is concluded, whichever is earlier.

Rule 6M-4.200 SR Eligibility Provisions/.208 Documenting Eligibility for the SR Program

Tuesday, April 7, 2020, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m . EDT or until business is concluded, whichever is earlier.

Rule 6M-4.735 Professional Development Standards and Career Pathways

Tuesday, March 31, 2020, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or until business is concluded, whichever is earlier.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. or until business is concluded, whichever is earlier.

Thursday, April 2, 2020, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or until business is concluded, whichever is earlier.

Thursday, April 2, 2020, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. or until business is concluded, whichever is earlier.

Early Attendance Submissions

Providers,

Please DO NOT submit attendance early if your program decides to close due to the COVID-19 virus. We, at the Coalition, are currently awaiting Guidance from OEL to clarify whether or not anything will need to be coded in the EFS Mod system related to the closure days.

We will continue to update you as we learn more.  For the moment, please do not plan to submit Attendance prior to April 1, 2020.

School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten

Provider Contract Monitoring

As a precautionary measure, to prevent the possibility of exposure to and/or spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Coalition will be suspending SR and VPK provider contract onsite monitoring until further notice.

Manage Your Respiratory Symptoms at Home

As COVID-19 migrates across the panhandle, we urge our providers to prepare for all possible outcomes. In the unfortunate case you are infected and your healthcare provider instructs you to manage your respiratory symptoms from home please click the blue button below and review the CDC's 10 ways to manage respiratory symptoms at home.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

In times, such as these, when life seems uncertain, it is crucial that you continue to care for your own mental health and wellbeing. Please click the blue button below for tips on how to spend your time staying home or indoors.

No Kid Hungry: Emergency Relief Grants

The Florida Afterschool Network is partnering with No Kid Hungry Florida to get this emergency grant resource into the hands of afterschool providers across the state. These funds will provide meals to families during these uncertain times and we applaud No Kid Hungry for making their resources available.

Areas of funding support include: non-congregate and home delivered meals, emergency meals programs and extended meals service, school and community pantries, backpack programs, and other identified opportunities to address the growing number of children and families who may lose access to meals. Please submit your details by clicking the blue button below to determine if your organization is eligible for funding.

Bubbles and Toddlers 

Everyone knows blowing and watching bubbles are great fun, but you may not know they provide more than just entertainment. Bubble blowing plays important roles in cognitive, language, and physical development for toddlers.

Review the list below for fun activities to do inside, outside, at school or home.

For more bubble blowing fun and extension activities for parents, click the blue button below.

Mud, Marvelous Mud!

Mud may seem dirty and you're right - but scientists have confirmed that playing in mud is not only a joyful experience, but also the dirt contains microscopic bacteria called Mycobacterium Vaccae which stimulates the immune system and increases the levels of serotonin in our brains, an endorphin that soothes, calms, and helps us to relax. Scientists say regular exposure to the bacteria may help reduce a child’s vulnerability to depression. In short, playing in mud makes you happier!

To review the various other benefits of playing in marvelous mud, please click the blue button below!

We know that this year has been hard, and when you find the teacher that is the right fit for your center you want to try to recognize them as much as you can. While we are all still picking up the pieces from last hurricane season, we know that you and your teachers still have a job to do.

This year, the Coalition would like to help you recognize teachers in your centers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. During the last week of every month, one teacher will be chosen for a prize in recognition of their hard work and dedication to the children they teach every day. You can nominate teachers from your centers by the 30th of every month by sending the following information through the  Redline:  

If your nominee wins, he or she must like the Coalition Facebook page and/or Twitter to be able to claim their prize. They can find us by searching @ELCNWF on both social media platforms.

This is your last chance to recognize one of your spectacular teachers! All nominations must be submitted by Tuesday, March 31!

Census 2020

The Census Bureau has acknowledged their long-term misrepresentation of young children in decennial censuses and in Census Bureau surveys. Evaluations show that Census Bureau surveys like the American Community Survey, the Current Population Survey, and the Survey of Income and Program Participation also miss young children while counting, which can result in biased survey estimates.

To combat the misrepresentation of children ages birth to four, we ask that all parents be made aware of the benefits of counting their children.

Representation and funding make a difference where it matters, and it matters here.

Click the blue button below for a list of common family situations and Census approved answers to help the families you serve complete the Census.

Don't miss out on the year-round open enrollment with Florida KidCare!

With the help of Florida KidCare, staying healthy doesn't have to be difficult.

Florida KidCare provides the families of Northwest Florida with low-cost options for health and dental insurance for children birth to 18!

For eligibility information and applications click the blue button below.

Sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida and the State of Florida, Office of Early Learning