September 27, 2019
Save the Date: Broward Early Childhood Education Conference
We're pleased to announce the annual Broward Early Childhood Education Conference will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Broward College North Campus (1000 Coconut Creek Blvd. Coconut Creek, FL 33066). This year's conference theme is 'Stand Up and Be Counted!' 
 
Stay tuned for conference details and information on registration!
Call for Workshop Presenter Proposals & Conference Exhibitors
We're currently seeking workshop presenters for the annual Broward Early Childhood Education Conference (BECEC). We invite all interested individuals to share your expertise by submitting a proposal to be a conference presenter. Presentations should be designed for audiences that may include early childhood educators, directors, family child care home providers, and community partners in a related field.

The conference is also pleased to welcome exhibitors to participate in the conference. Potential exhibitors will need to fill out the  Exhibitor Request Form  and return it to  Nemmanuel@elcbroward.org . If you are interested in tabling for the conference, please reserve a space before they run out. The BECEC will provide a venue for businesses and non-profit organizations to make contact with the early learning community (more than 800 participants).
Broward: Read for the Record on November 7th
It's that time of year again! Read for the Record will take place on November 7! More information will be posted on reader sign-ups, book pick-ups and deliveries.
ELC Welcomes New Board Members
The ELC Board welcomes Beverley Batson (left) and Dr. Amoy Reid (right) to the board of directors.  Dr. Reid is the Interim Associate Dean, Academic Affairs for Broward College. She has a Ph.D. in Education, Child and Youth Studies from Nova Southeastern University. Ms. Beverley Batson, the Director of Ark Christian Preschool in Oakland Park, is the new faith-based provider representative on the board. She has an MBA and a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. ELC welcomes both Dr. Reid and Beverley.
Your Reimbursement Specialist is Here to Help
The Provider Reimbursement Specialist team is here to assist you with your SR and VPK attendance processing and answer any questions regarding your monthly payment.
 
Not sure who your assigned Provider Reimbursement Specialist is? Click the button below for a print out to keep for your reference.
School Readiness and VPK Services Available at Our Outposted Locations
We proudly serve families at our outposted locations throughout Broward County. Families in need of School Readiness and VPK services are welcome to visit the locations by appointment.

For a listing of our outposted locations, please visit our website.
Unplug Your Devices For National Unplugged Play Day:
Sept. 28
Did you know? September 28 is National Uplugged Play Day! Encourage all families to take part by having a #DeviceFreeDinner. This sends a simple but powerful message home to students and families: Part of being a good digital citizen is knowing when to take a break from media and technology to spend time with the people we love.

This collection of tools and activities gives teachers everything they need to get started with #DeviceFreeDinner and drive home digital citizenship in their school communities. 

This toolkit includes our latest teacher-tested resources all in one place:
  • “Device-Free Dinner Day” school poster
  • Classroom activities for students
  • Take-home activities for families
  • Social media resources
ELC Launches New Initiative "Yes You Can!"
We're accepting applications for child care partners to join in the “Yes, You Can!” initiative.

This initiative is focused on helping child care providers improve their overall levels of impactful instruction, management, and achievement. We're especially interested in partnering with child care providers that scored below a 4 on their CLASS Observations or below a 60 on the VPK Readiness Rate. 

Interested? Curious? Great! To find out more, please call 954- 377-2188 ext. 2360 or email Allison Metsch at ametsch@elcbroward.org .
Call the ELC Warm Line for Support!
The Inclusion Department provides Warm Line services to all Child Care Providers in Broward County. The Warm Line is a service providing assistance and consultation to early care and education providers regarding health, development, disability, and special needs issues of the children they are serving. 

For providers needing support with challenging behavior and skill development for any child, please call the Warm Line at (954) 295-0672.
Important ELC Contact Information
Provider Relations:
Provider Relations ensures all contractual requirements are met and oversees the
implementation of compliance standards required by the Florida Office of Early Learning. Your designated provider relations staff member can be found on the ELC website or by downloading the link below. 


Education & Quality Services:
The Education and Quality Team is available to assist you with trainings, professional development and additional services related to the overall quality of your center.

For any questions or concerns, please contact the Director of Education and Quality Initiatives, Allison Metsch at ametsch@elcbroward.org or call (954) 789-4146.

Senior Leadership Team:
The ELC Senior Leadership Team contact information can be found on our website .
Upcoming ELC Education and Quality Training Sessions
Here's a listing of our upcoming Education and Quality Trainings for the month of September/October:
Overview of Trauma, Traumatic Stress and Its Impact on Learning & Development (Breakfast will be served)
Training will provide key concepts of trauma, toxic stress, brain development and the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on learning. Trauma strategies focusing on relationship building in the classroom to meet the needs of young children to build trauma sensitive classroom will be explored. In addition to building collaborative relationship with parents and/or caregivers in order to create a trauma sensitive preschool environment.

Facilitator: Dr. Harleen Hutchinson 
Date & Time: September 28, 2019 from 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Location: ELC Broward

VPK Einsteins: Learn About The Scientific Method- For VPK Teachers
(Breakfast will be served)
There are many reasons why learning about science in early childhood education is essential. Science provides the answers to many of the questions that young children ask, such as "Why is the sky blue?" and "What makes the colors in a rainbow?" It perfectly complements a child’s natural curiosity. This training will provide preschool teachers strategies to introduce the scientific method to preschoolers and increase scientific inquiry in the classroom environment.

Presenters: Grethel Arroyo and Ana Avalos-Atkinson, Q & E Coaching Specialists, Early Learning Coalition of Broward County
Date & Time: Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: ELC Broward

TSG Calibration- for School Readiness Providers Implementing TSG
(Breakfast will be served)
Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG) is an observation tool used to document and assess children’s progress. This TSG Calibration training will be a hands-on demonstration to assist providers with the following: adding children; setting up classrooms; taking documentation; setting preliminary levels; completing quarterly checkpoints; generating reports; using the TSG app, obtaining and/or renewing interrater reliability certification, and exploring online professional development courses that can be taken to extend learning.

Presenters: Jessica Mondragon and Tiffanie Bernard, Early Learning Coalition of Broward County
Date & Time: Saturday, October 12, 2019 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: ELC Broward
Upcoming Inclusion Trainings

When Preschoolers Act Out, Where Do We Begin?
Date & Time: Oct. 16, 2019 from 6:30-8:30 pm
Location: ELC Broward

Behavior Management Strategies for Preschool Children
Date & Time: Nov. 13, 2019 from 6:30-8:30 pm
Location: ELC Broward

Please note: Registration for both sessions are full. If you'd like to be added to the wait list, please email Debbie Kay at dkay@elcbroward.org.
Trainings are posted on our website!
Visit our calendar of events and meetings page for a listing of all of our training sessions throughout the year.
Hurricane Dorian Provider Questions
Have questions related to Hurricane Dorian? We've got answers. Please give your Provider Relations representative a call. They are happy to assist!
ELC Broward now offers Child Care Resource and Referral Services
We're pleased to announce we've expanded our services to offer Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) services to all families in Broward County. This free community service provides families with access and information about quality child care.  This information helps families make informed decisions when selecting early learning and school-age programs for their children.

CCR&R services include:
  • A customized search for child care based on criteria families select, such as location, schedule, curriculum, environment, and special needs;
  • Information on rates, fees, hours, and credentials of providers;
  • Information regarding financial assistance for child care programs;
  • Educational materials and support for parents with questions concerning early childhood development;
  • Tips on identifying quality child care facilities.

To request a customized list of local child care options, please contact the ELC Broward office at (954) 377-2188 and speak to one of our Customer Service Specialists. 
Introducing our New Family Newsletter: Family Connection
The ELC team has been hard at work, and we're pleased to introduce our new ELC family newsletter, Family Connection . This bi-monthly newsletter is filled with fun tips on how parents can engage with their children, help build their motor skills and healthy eating. Feel free to print copies for your families.
Resources
Free Subscription to myTeachstone©
The ELC, partnering with OEL, is working to bring resources on the CLASS® Assessment to our SR Providers through a myTeachstone subscription.

The myTeachstone subscription includes:
  • Overview of CLASS® Assessment tool in Infant, Toddler and Pre-K
  • Best Practices and Teacher Strategies via Video
  • Tips/Info for teachers to understand the assessment process

You must be a School Readiness Provider to receive the subscription.

Want to sign up?

Send your name, email and provider name to Allison Metsch at ametsch@elcbroward.org .
Provider Portal Training Videos
Need additional training on the provider portal? We've got you covered! Videos are available 24/7 on the ELC's Youtube Channel .
1475 W. Cypress Creek Rd. Suite 301 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(954) 377-2188