March 5, 2020 Provider netWORK Webinar

You are invited to a  Zoom webinar!

When: March 5, 2020 at 9:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Topic: March Provider netWORK Meeting

Register in advance for this webinar using the blue button below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

If you have any questions, please submit them through the  Redline. We look forward to speaking with you on Thursday, March 5, 2020!

Upcoming Board Meeting

Don't miss the upcoming Board Meeting next Wednesday,  03/11/2020 ,  at  11:00 am in our Panama City Office, located at 703 W 15th St Panama City, FL 32401.

If you would like to attend but cannot do so in person, please call in at: (646) 558-8656 using meeting ID number  365 921 3194

Coronavirus: Guidance for Child Care Programs

This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the transmission and severity of coronavirus (COVID-19). The CDC will update this guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available. Please check the following CDC website periodically for updated interim guidance.

Health officials are taking steps to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19. Schools and child care programs can play an important role in this effort. Through collaboration and coordination with local health departments, schools and child care programs can take steps to disseminate information about the disease and its potential transmission within their community. School and child care plans should be designed to minimize disruption to teaching and learning and protect students and staff. Plans can build on everyday practices (e.g., encouraging hand hygiene, monitoring absenteeism, communicating routinely) that include strategies for before, during, and after a possible outbreak.

For guidance on reducing the spread of illness in child care programs and/or how to plan and prepare for a possible community outbreak, please click HERE.

To download CDC fliers to post in your classroom and review Florida Department of Health information click the blue buttons below!

Provider Profile Update Assistance

Attention Providers,

On March 9, 2020, the Coalition will officially launch the process to renew both SR and VPK Contracts for the FY 2020-2021 utilizing the 2020-2021 PROFILE update. This year we are offering Technical Assistance/Contract support via virtual ZOOM meetings . Time slots are available in 15 or 30 minute increments for Providers to talk with Coalition Staff and receive assistance with the PROFILE questions and requirements.

After signing up for the ZOOM slot, parties are sent an invitation and link to meet in the ZOOM environment and can share their screen for instruction/walk through of the contract process.  Parties can ask questions and receive one on one technical assistance with the contracting process on the NEW OEL Provider Portal.

You should have the following information with you at the ZOOM Meeting:

SR Providers ONLY:

Please click the blue button below to reserve your time slot NOW! ZOOM Meetings are not compatible with mobile devices, so we recommend using your computer. If you have questions about ZOOM or how these meetings will work, please email the Redline with “ZOOM” in the subject line.

Integrating the Standards: Phonological Awareness (2019)

This free instructor-led training is designed for all preschool educators! Broaden your knowledge on Florida Early Learning Developmental Standards and focus on the phonological awareness standards and benchmarks while obtaining .2 CEUs. Both training sessions will be held between 5:30pm-7:30pm. Advanced registration is required and available by clicking on either training date below.

Request for Special Needs Rate

At the February Provider netWORK meeting it was brought to the Coalition's attention that providers needed information on how to receive a special needs rate for a child. We value your input as providers and have attached the instructions on how to request a special needs rate and the necessary form to complete the request. Also featured below is a link to BPIECE to ensure inclusion in the classroom.

Wait List Placement Update

The Coalition is working to continue placing birth to five-year-old children from the wait list. Between the January and February funding notifications, 514 new children have been offered School Readiness funding in our seven counties. ​

As of February 21st, 99 children have been placed, 71 are in process of review or waiting on additional information from the parent, 22 are waiting provider approval, 13 are looking for a provider (3 toddlers, 1 2yr, 2 4yr, 1 5yr, and 6 Sch), 11 stated they no longer needed care, and 13 were not eligible. The Coalition is making multiple follow up contacts with parents to ensure they are aware of the funding notifications and submit their required documents.

 

Please look for more updates in the upcoming editions of the weekly Blasts!

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.

ArtKidDoo is alling for YOU!

This family friendly event is a collaborative effort from the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida, the Washington County Arts Council, local businesses, civic organizations, and child care providers, such as yourself, to encourage awareness for the arts in young children. Washington County and surrounding communities will come together for this free one-day event to offer hands on arts and crafts, as well as performance art by local artists, musicians, and vocalists. There will be ample opportunity for children to paint, color, dance, mold clay, as well as create jewelry and musical instruments at this year's event.

If your center is interested in contributing to the 6th Annual ArtKidDoo , you are in luck! Your center may participate as a vendor, which authorizes your members to manage a booth with a child friendly activity, you may create an activity, or we can assign one to you. Members of your program may volunteer, individually or as a group, as a volunteer you’ll be assisting with set-up, break down, event maintenance, and other duties as assigned, and if you are unable to actively participate, you may graciously donate on your centers behalf as a sponsor. For more information about the event, or to become a vendor, sponsor, or volunteer, click the blue button below.

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