Important Message from the
Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County
Dear School Readiness Providers,

We hope this message finds you well. We wanted to get this information to you as soon as we had it. 

It is our understanding from the Office of Early Learning that the School Readiness contract for 2020/21 will be an extension of this year’s (2019/2020) contract. The turnaround for completing contracts is rather fast with a deadline of June 30, 2020 to be signed and completed. 

Here’s how we will be helping you through the process:

  • We will be hosting a Contract Overview Webinar for all School Readiness providers on Monday, June 22 at 10:00 am. It will be recorded so you can go back and reference it. Please look for information on our website, social media and via email so you can register for this webinar.

  • We will have an expanded team to support you at this time. Rest assured; your Provider Services contract team is still here to support you.

We are here for you as always. Please call our Provider Services line at 561-214-8000 with any questions.

Sincerely,

Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County

REGISTER FOR MONDAY'S WEBINAR
Last Day to Apply for Mini Grant is Today

Two Opportunities for Mini Grants. Each grant is $1,000; Opportunity for $2,000.

  • Purchase of supplies for health and safety related to COVID-19 -- $1,000
  • Payment of infrastructure/operating costs -- $1,000


Basic criteria for eligibility include:

  • Have a current School Readiness or Voluntary Prekindergarten contract
  • Be open for business OR working to re-open no later than 10 calendar days after the date of application (does not apply to professional development stipends)
  • The provider does not have a pending/open contract-related corrective action plan/probation in effect (does not include VPK readiness rate improvement plans or Quality improvement plans).
--> Important Deadlines <--
Important Updates from OEL
 Dear SR and VPK Providers:
 
We wanted to clarify information on the reimbursements for the June service period for both SR and VPK providers.
 
SR and VPK Providers Open as of June 1 and July 1

1.        For June and July 2020 Service Periods , you will continue to be reimbursed based on enrollment rather than attendance and for the SR required parent co-payments. This is an effort to help financially support your day-to-day operations, including paying teachers’ wages or incentives to retain your work force. Based on your current School Readiness and VPK enrollments (through the end of the program year), we understand that these funds alone may not be sufficient to cover all of your payroll expenses, but are expecting that these funds, in part, be allocated to wages or bonuses to retain your staff.
 
2.        For June and July Service 2020 Periods , SR providers continue to be eligible for the bonus for serving first responders. More information about that program is here . (Note: The bonuses have been extended through July 31, 2020 but are still limited to a maximum of $12,000 per provider.)
 
SR Providers with Closures in May

1.        For payment of the June Service Period , you are required to complete an online questionnaire in the provider portal and provide information related your current enrollment, estimated financial losses, and conditions that must be present in order for you to reopen. The questionnaire link is located on the provider portal homepage in the Common Tasks panel. You will be prompted with a pop-up when you log on to the provider portal. The questionnaire is required to be completed by June 22 nd .
 
SR Providers that Remain Closed July 1

1.        Your responses to the June questionnaire about your plans to reopen your center/program will be reviewed. Your July service period reimbursement may be adjusted based on whether your center is opened or closed. 
 
As a reminder - NO parent co-payments should be collected from ANY school readiness family for the June and July Service Periods. Collection of the parent co-payments by providers will resume August 1, 2020.
 
The Department of Education and the Office of Early Learning remain committed to providing up-to-date information and guidance to our early learning community to help you stay open or reopen your programs safely. The health and safety of our children, families, and providers’ staff continues to be of utmost importance.
 
We appreciate your commitment to care for all of Florida’s children and are looking forward to “business as usual” in August.
 
If you have questions, you may contact you early learning coalition for more information. 
 
Shan Goff, Executive Director
Office of Early Learning