February 5, 2020
February Provider netWORK Meeting
We look forward to seeing everyone at this month's Provider netWORK meeting!

Here is what's coming up this month:

February 6, 2020 Provider netWORK Meeting (in-person)
9:00 am CT
Panama City office (703 W 15th Street Suite A)
Upcoming Board Meeting
Don't miss the upcoming Board Meeting next Wednesday,  02/12/2020, 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
Provider Portal Profile Update
Providers,

As some may have noticed, as you select the PROFILE feature in the OEL Provider Portal, the option to create the 2020-2021 PROFILE button is now available.

We are asking that ALL SR & VPK Contracted Provider refrain from “pushing the button” as we work to get the background information in the system.

To begin the contracting process, the Coalition needs to determine the Rates and Holidays in order to set up the 2020-2021 Contract Year in the system. These items will be determined in a future board meeting.

In addition, School Districts have not finalized the 2020-2021 School Calendars. The Calendars will need to be added into the system prior to contracting.

As a reminder, ALL PROVIDERS are required to update the PROFILE prior to May 30, 2020.   

We look forward to working with you as soon as possible to complete this task.
Summer VPK Program
Have you considered offering the VPK Summer 2020 Program?

The Coalition requires written confirmation of intent from all providers who plan to offer a Summer VPK program during the 2020 school year. The public-school districts are required to provide the VPK Summer 2020 Program. Please do not hesitate, submit your notice of intent response to Robin Schwab prior to February 15, 2020.

For more information on offering VPK this summer, click the blue button below. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Redline.
Upcoming Rule Workshop
Providers,

A Rule Workshop featuring Rule 6M-4.200 School Readiness Eligibility Provisions and Rule 6M-4.208 Documenting Eligibility for the School Readiness Program will be held via webinar. Register for the February 12, 2020 webinar at your preferred time by selecting one of the options below.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Rule workshop documents will be made available prior to the workshops.

Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted to OEL. Be sure to include “6M-4.200/.208 Comment” in the subject line to ensure a prompt response.
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. Advanced registration is required and available by clicking on either training date below. Please click on the blue button for more information.
5:30pm-7:30pm
ELCNWF Panama City Office
5:30pm-7:30pm
ELCNWF Marianna Office
2020 Winter Conference
There is still time to join our 2020 winter conference scheduled for  Saturday, February 22, 2020 . The conference will focus on behavior and feature some fan favorite presenters; Lynne Eldridge, Donna Whittaker, and our keynote speaker, Ron Shuali, M.Ed.

A one time fee of $10.00 will be collected at the time of registration. Click the blue button below to register today!

If you have any questions, please submit them through the  Redline .
Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment
February 1 - April 30
Open Enrollment for the Florida Prepaid Program is happening now through April 30, and we are working to share the news with as many parents and families throughout Northwest Florida as possible. Attached are informational fliers for parents about Florida Prepaid, and specifically, about open enrollment. Please share this information with your parents and families. You can help them get a head start on saving for their child(ren)’s future! Click the blue button below to download the Florida Prepaid flier and share it with your parents and families. Thank you for spreading the word about this incredible opportunity!
Scholarship Opportunities
Continuing your education is crucial to the success of all industries, the early childhood education industry included. In hopes of helping your become the best version of yourself, the Coalition has decided to offer scholarships to begin your  FCCPC Credential. Enroll today by clicking HERE and begin your classes as soon as  March 2, 2020! To learn more about what programs are being offered, please contact the Instructional Coordinator, Patricia Schenck , via email or phone, 850-873-3577.

For more information of available courses and requirements, click the blue button below.
New Neighbors
Community Resource Center
The Coalition is proud to announce the Panama City office has new neighbors. We are officially sharing the love we have for the communities we serve and the space we occupy with  three newly located community resources! By helping others we are helping our communities and ourselves.

Click the blue button below for more information on the various resources provided by your local Community Resource Center located at:  703 W 15th St Panama City, FL 32401
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.
Wait List Placement Update
The Coalition is pleased to announce, in addition to birth to five-year olds, we cleared the wait list for School-Agers as well!  

Funding notifications were sent to approximately 220 school-age children last week. This was a one-time offer for school-agers who are on the waitlist as of January 29th. We will review our budget and placement status over the next several weeks to determine if more funding notifications will be sent for school-age care. 

As of December 18, the Coalition sent funding notifications to the remaining 428 birth to five-year-olds. Of that number, 162 children have been placed, 53 are in process of review or waiting on additional information from the parent, 27 are waiting provider approval, 24 are looking for a provider (6 infants, 5 toddlers, 4 2YR, 3 3YR, 4 4YR, and 2 5YR), 13 stated they no longer needed care, 14 were not eligible, and 135 did not respond/were inactivated from the wait list. 
 
Look for more updates in upcoming issues of the weekly Blast!
ArtKidDoo is calling 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.
We exist to grow healthy children, parents, and the relationship between them.
Sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida and the State of Florida, Office of Early Learning