Early Learning Coalition
of St. Lucie County
Your Champions of Early Education
May 2021 Provider News:
Resources for your Childcare Center!
Reminder: Weekly provider update calls
every Wednesday at 12:30 through Zoom
Don't forget our weekly provider call every Wednesday at 12:30. These calls are voluntary: just our way to stay connected, answer questions and give any updates. We hope you can join us; the instructions to join remotely is sent to you in a Zoom meeting invitation every week and you can participate on your phone or your computer. Our past provider meetings are listing in archive on our website, in the provider's section.

Remember, we will update you regularly on any information you need to know that is coming from OEL or the state DOE, so watch your emails for updates!
MAY IS PROVIDER APPRECIATION MONTH!
AND...MAY 7th IS PROVIDER APPRECIATION DAY!
“Child care providers were ‘essential’ long before the pandemic, and the past year has highlighted the lengths to which they are willing to go to keep their doors open, keep children safe and nurtured, support and engage families, and play a critical role in communities,” said Lynette M. Fraga, Ph.D., CEO of Child Care Aware® of America. “Provider Appreciation Day® is a great opportunity to recognize the heroic efforts of providers and to say ‘thank you.’”
 
Child care providers offered resources and supports to families during an often traumatic time -- a global pandemic and an economic crisis in addition to a national reckoning on race. They provided families with safe, healthy, nurturing spaces where children can feel safe, eat healthy meals, grow and learn. Additionally, providers often stepped in to support children in remote learning situations, doing all they could to provide space and supports for school-aged children.

The Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County would like to thank all of our wonderful providers on May 7, which is National Provider Day and also proclaimed Florida Provider Day. Thanks for all you do for our children always, every day!
Virtual Kindergarten Summit Sign Up Now
The 2021 Transition to Kindergarten Regional Summits are set to kick off in April. Each two-day summit (8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. each day) will inspire preschool and public school educators as they plan ways to support the transitional changes children and families face when moving from preschool to kindergarten with a literacy focus. April 20-21 (North Region) April 27-28 (Central Region) May 4-5 (South Region) Please share these dates with your teachers, providers and other interested stakeholders Be sure to sign up today to reserve your spot. Please select only ONE summit or date.
Healthy U...A Series of Conversations
Times have changed and bullying behaviors have changed right along with them. What remains the same is the significant toll it takes on the victims. Learn how to identify bullying in its various forms and what you can do to stop it.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
May Mental Health Month
In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month, as celebrated by National Alliance on Mental Illness, the City of Port St. Lucie’s Parks & Recreation Department will host guided walks and yoga classes, which are offered free to the public in May.

Feel free to bring a canned food item, which will be donated to the Treasure Coast Food Bank. No water or yoga mats will be provided. Participants should bring their own yoga mat, blanket or beach towel to use during yoga class.
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Small Business Grants available through SLC
Recover St. Lucie website
Vaccine Update: Find info you need here!
Here's the update on vaccinations for COVID-19 and links to where you can get yours.

Also, use these resources, as well:
The COVID Call Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be reach at 1-866- 779-6121 or by emailing COVID-19@flhealth.gov. The vaccine page can be found below 
Important Information about Parent CoPayments!
 
For SR providers, from May 1, 2021 -- June 30, 2021, you will be reimbursed for the required parent copayments for all reimbursable days. Do not collect copayment from SR families for this time period.
 
For VPK School Year providers, from January 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021, you will be reimbursed for temporary closures due to COVID-19 that are more than the allowable 5-days per class. This payment will be processed after all closures for a quarter have been verified.   
 
For VPK Summer providers, from May 1, 2021– June 30, 2021, you will be reimbursed for temporary closures due to COVID-19 that are more than the allowable 5-days per class. This payment will be generated after your summer classes have ended and all closures for the summer classes have been verified.
 
On April 9, 2021, Commissioner Richard Corcoran signed Executive Order 2021-EO-02 which authorizes the 2021 Summer VPK programs to constitute a minimum of 200 hours. Reimbursement will be based per the 80/20 rule for student attendance and the total number of program hours offered (minimum of 200 up to 300 hours).
 
Thank you for your continued commitment to serve Florida’s children and their families.
COVID-19 Vaccines for Teachers, School Staff
& Childcare Workers
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On March 2, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a directive
that all states immediately make teachers, school staff, and childcare workers eligible for COVID-19 vaccination across all vaccination providers.
Additionally, pharmacy locations that are part of CDC’s Federal Retail Pharmacy Program are now giving priority to school staff and childcare workers for COVID-19 vaccination during the month of March. In addition to existing state and local COVID-19 vaccination sites, teachers and staff in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 (pre-K–12 schools) and childcare workers will be able to sign up for an appointment at more than 9,000 participating pharmacy locations nationwide.
Who can get vaccinated?
  • Teachers and staff in Pre-K–12 schools, Childcare centers, Head Start and Early Head Start programs
  • Part C Early Intervention
  • Licensed childcare providers, including center-based and family care providers and home visitors, Classroom aides, Bus drivers, Janitors, Counselors, Administration staff, Cafeteria workers, Substitute teachers
Now, Post a Teacher Ad with DCF!
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The Department of Children and Families’ Child Care Program Office now offers a tool for Child Care Facilities to advertise available positions. How To Post An Ad: Use the following steps to post your ad:
1. Enter your exact Child Care License Number
2. You are taken to the employment database
3. Choose “Make Director Ad” or “Make Staff Credential Ad”
4. Create the position summary
5. List position requirements
6. Specify dates to run
7. Input provider contact information
OEL Resources for Providers
The Director Toolkit
This resource was developed to assist early childhood program directors, mentors, coaches and instructors in planning professional development goals for continuous program and instructional improvement.
Learning Circles Social Studies Calendar for May 2021
May OEL Parent Pages to Share
Overwhelmed by Change? Turn to 3Ts
3Ts Development for Providers helps children succeed at early age
Remember: even when things are uncertain, YOU are helping to build the brains of the children you care for and are preparing them for success just by talking and interacting with them. Your class day is full of opportunities to use the 3Ts and help your children understand changes going on in the world. Learn more at the3Ts.org. Also available in Spanish at las3Cs.org.  AnyTimeIs3TsTime #3TsFlorida #PNCGrowUpGreat
Here is a free professional development series for you and your staff – which is a perfect in-service training opportunity! This resource shares easy-to-remember strategies and features videos of caregivers using the 3Ts in everyday situations.
Office of Early Learning Virtual Supports and Online Resources
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Parents with young children are facing an unprecedented demand to support their children’s learning at home—and technology can help, not only for families but also for preschool providers and teachers. In support of Florida’s families and preschool providers, the Office of Early Learning has created the guidance HERE to aide in the implementation of technology with our youngest learners, families and communities. 
Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County www.elcslc.org 772-595-6424