June 1, 2022
2022-2023 Profiles are under FINAL REVIEW

We anticipate that School Readiness Contracts will be released in the second week of June. There will be a tight turnaround.

If you are taking vacation during the month of June, please reach out to the Contract Specialist for your program.

Contracts not complete prior to June 22, 2022 could be in jeopardy of having a gap in services and parents being notified that the program is not ready for the next contract year.

If you have any documents that are expiring in June, please be sure that you upload your renewals in a timely manner. It is imperative that you have your renewal documentation uploaded per the contract. If you do not, it could delay your contract renewal. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Contract Specialist. 
Upcoming VPK Program Year

If you want to participate in the 2022-2023 VPK Program Year, please note the submission deadlines below:
 
VPK Applications will be issued NO LATER THAN Friday, June 3, 2022

  • If you would like Advance Payment, please submit the VPK Application NO LATER THAN Tuesday, June 15, 2022. VPK Applications will need to be finalized by June 25, 2022 so that you can enter the COE’s prior to July 1,2022.

  • If you are not participating in Advance Payment, the VPK Application is due NO LATER THAN Friday, July 1, 2022. 

ALL VPK Applications will need to be completed NO LATER THAN Friday, July 29, 2022 so that the COE’s can be entered prior to the first day of school.
VPK Verification

The coalition may not pay the VPK provider the final payment for the program year until the provider submits a final verification of the annual cumulative attendance of each child enrolled in the provider's VPK program, which certifies the paid hours of attendance of each child enrolled for the program year, in a manner prescribed by the Deputy Director for Early Learning.
Fla. Admin. Code R. 6M-8.305

The Readiness Rate Child Detail report will be uploaded to the Coalition Document​ Exchange 2021-2022 VPK Contract Folder and placed in the VPK Verification Folder.​
​
You will need to verify the information on that report.  In accordance with the rules of the Agency, the Coalition will not issue a final payment to the Provider for the VPK Program year until the Provider certifies the annual cumulative attendance of each child enrolled in the VPK Program. ​

Dear Providers,
 
As most of you know, the opportunity to receive stabilization funds deadline is quickly approaching. The deadline is June 30, 2022. It is imperative that you submit the application as soon as you can so you don’t miss the deadline. Below you will find some tips and tricks to assist you. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Jenna Drew or Michelle Shadoan.
 
 
  1. To apply, you must have a 2022-2023 ACTIVE Provider Profile in EFS Mod.
  2. Before you start filling out the application, review the “How to Guide”. This will assist you with determining the information to gather before you attempt to complete the application.
  3. We know how busy things can get. If you start the application and need to save it but not submit, click “Save for Later”.
  4. Clicking “Cancel” will ERASE all of the information that has NOT been previously saved. See tip 3 to save your work.
  5. If the authorized Electronic Signature and Submit button is MISSING, then the application is not complete. Please review to determine what fields have been left blank or boxes unchecked.
  6. Counties in the 32456 and 32465 area codes do qualify for the Infrastructure Deficit portion of the stabilization grant.
  7. We are not able to edit the application for you. If the application is incorrect, we will have to reject it so that you can correct the application and resubmit.
  8. Once the total for the grant award has been determined, the total will be paid in three (3) installments. The first installment will be made within 30 days of the approved application. The next two installments will be made at 90- and 180-day intervals after the first installment is paid, once you have submitted the required certification.
  9. Keeping track of expenses is very important. If selected for monitoring, copies of all receipts and documentation on how subgrant funds were spent will be required. Failure to submit receipts and documentation showing the subgrant was used on allowable expenses may trigger a repayment of all or part of the subgrant award to the Division of Early Learning or its designee. Expenses reimbursed by other funding sources, such as PPP or Small Business Association (SBA) loans may not be claimed for stabilization subgrants.
  10. If you need assistance please contact Jenna Drew (jenna.drew@elcnwf.org) or Michelle Shadoan (michelle.shadoan@elcnwf.org).
Rule 6M-4.500 Information Update

On May 11 the State Board of Education approved changes to Rule 6M-4.500, Child Attendance and Provider Reimbursement which will go into effect on July 1, 2022.

Among the changes in the approved rule, is an adjustment to Quality Performance Incentive differentials which will eliminate the differential payment for those programs whose CLASS scores range from 4.0 to 4.49. As it has been the case, these Quality Performance Incentive differentials will be based on the most recent program assessment composite scores but they will immediately be adjusted (if necessary) and be applied to the next monthly provider reimbursement payment rather than being applied to the next fiscal year.

Additionally, a child care provider that is currently on a Quality Improvement Plan will not be eligible for the Quality Performance Incentive. The new differential thresholds are listed below:
To read more about the changes click the button below.
A Message from

Dear 2021-22 and 2022-23 Contracted VPK Programs,

We are pleased to share with you some important information related to Florida’s Assessment in Student Thinking (FAST) using Star Early Literacy. Here is the memo on FAST using Star Early Literacy which includes a link to the new VPK FAST resource website.

Training sessions have been tailored to meet the individual needs of each participant based on their specific role as either a VPK director or VPK instructor. Individuals who serve as both the VPK director and instructor should attend the VPK director training.
VPK directors or individuals that serve as an on-site administrators role may register to attend the webinar training session for VPK Program Directors. Participants should only register and attend one webinar training session.
VPK instructors may register to attend the webinar training session for VPK Instructors. Participants should only register and attend one webinar training session.
If you or your staff have training questions related to FAST using Star Early Literacy, please direct them to contact the Division of Early Learning here. 
Updated Child Screening Process for SR Providers
To better align with the Legislation and Rule for child screenings, the Coalition has changed annual child screening dates from birthdays to redetermination dates. 

By using the Redetermination date, this will allow the Child Screening portion of the Provider Portal to be updated in a timely manner. Please begin using your Developmental Screening Portal in your EFS Mod Provider Services Portal to access the screenings that are due.

Below are a few helpful tips and an excerpt from the child screening rule for reference.
  • EFS/Mod will automatically schedule a screening and it will populate in your Developmental Screening Portal if needed.

  • If there is a request for an ASQ-3 or ASQ-SE in your Provider Portal, then a parent has not opted out of the ASQ-SE screening, and you are required to complete the ASQ-SE screening.

  • Occasionally if a parent or provider is concerned about a screening, the system will prompt another screening at the next screening interval to see if the child is progressing.

  • Until ALL birthday screenings are filtered out, there may be duplicate screenings. For example, you may have completed a birthday screening on 2/14/22, but your Development Screening Portal is prompting you to complete a screening with a Due Date by 3/31/22. You will need to complete all requested screenings by the indicated due date. This will begin the alignment with the Development Screening Portal. 
 
 
6M-4.720 Screening of Children in the School Readiness Program.

(a) Initial screening. Each early learning coalition shall coordinate with parents and providers to complete an initial screening for each child, aged six (6) weeks to age of 60 months.

(b) Subsequent screenings. Each early learning coalition shall coordinate with parents and providers for subsequent screenings to be completed annually at redetermination.
How To Help Children
Cope With Stressors
Parents and caregivers may be concerned about how ongoing or acute stressors can affect the
emotional well-being of their children. Save the Children has prepared the following 10 tips to
support children.
Hometown Heroes Housing Program for Childcare Teachers

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Launch of Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program.

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the June 1 launch of the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program to help Floridians in over 50 critical professions purchase their first home. The Hometown Heroes Housing Program will be available to Floridians including law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active military or veterans. Including this $100 million program, the Governor also announced his intent to support the total of nearly $363 million appropriated for affordable and workforce housing in the 2022-2023 budget, the highest total in 15 years. Read More...
NWI Teacher Packet

Please see the below documents for the NWI Teacher Packet. This packet includes a Teacher Registration Form and a blank W9 form.
  1. Please make sure EACH Teacher in your program completes the packet and includes a voided check or bank form.
  2. The completed packet will then need to be uploaded by the program director/owner on the teacher’s behalf into the shared coalition document exchange. There have been folders already created for you labeled "NWI". Please place all documents inside there.
NWI Program Timeline
You can download a copy of the NWI informational webinar HERE
New VPK Director Credential Requirements for Private Providers.

All private VPK Providers must have a director with a current VPK Director Credential to be eligible for contracting in the 2022-2023 program year. The attached memo and flyer provide information regarding this requirement and identifies the five training courses that a director must have completed in order to obtain or maintain a VPK Director Credential.

If you have any additional questions regarding the VPK Director Credential requirements for private providers please email VPKQuestions@oel.myflorida.com.
IMPORTANT: Increased Emergent Literacy Training Requirements for VPK Instructors

Florida law now requires every prekindergarten classroom to have at least one prekindergarten instructor who has completed three five-hour emergent literacy training courses. Prior to the passage of House Bill (HB) 419 and HB 7011 in 2021, only one emergent literacy training course was required. Thus, continuing prekindergarten instructors, who have already completed one five-hour emergent literacy training course, must complete two additional courses. Any new prekindergarten instructors must take all three classes.

This legislative change became effective on July 1, 2021. Through this memorandum, the Department of Education, Division of Early Learning (DEL), is giving notice of this new requirement, and is identifying ten emergent literacy training courses that meet this requirement. Given the importance of this training, DEL is setting a deadline of July 1, 2022, for all prekindergarten providers to meet this requirement.
After completing the first three emergent literacy courses, Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) instructors must complete one emergent literacy course every five years.

Instructors will receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) upon completion of each course, and the completed courses will be added on the instructor’s training transcript.

VPK instructors are encouraged to begin taking the emergent literacy courses in order to complete the three five-hour emergent literacy course requirement by July 1, 2022.  
Activity Plans based on the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards 4-Years-Old to Kindergarten

The Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards 4-Years-Old to Kindergarten is a comprehensive document containing age-appropriate information and reflections about how young children explore, create and think. Lesson plans are available to help develop the skills that 4-year-old children should know and be able to do by the end of their prekindergarten year. There are targeted standards for 4-year-old children included in each lesson plan.
 
To find these lesson plans, click the button below: 
PBS KIDS offers this FREE special collection of flexible self-paced learning to help inspire PreK-2 teachers and provide support for the classroom. Choose from several learning experiences designed to spark new ideas and expand your skill set—you may also be able to earn between one to three credit hours.
There are two different self-paced learning opportunities:
  • Self-Paced Courses: Our traditional 1-4 hour online course option with lessons taken in order to earn a certificate
  • Learning Paths: A series of short micro learnings (15-30 minutes, skill-based experiences in a range of interactive formats) that can lead to a certificate
HiMama Helps – Childcare Webinar Series

Now, more than ever, the early childhood community has to come together to figure out life during a global pandemic. The HiMama Helps Webinar series was created as a platform for ECEs and child care experts to share stories and practical tips with each other.
Join your hosts, Ria Simon and Kiah Price every Thursday at 2 PM, to explore different topics, offer practical strategies, and have your questions answered. Click below for the library of past webinar recordings.
Conference-Quality Professional Development by Early Childhood Experts

Early Childhood Investigations offers free webinars to early childhood educators. The series is produced by Engagement Strategies, LLC., and presented by leading authors, experts, and leaders. Now, you can participate in conference-quality training without leaving your home, classroom, or office.
Florida KidCare

In a time when the health and safety of our community are most important, help keep the children in your center insured.
Encourage families in your centers to contact ELCNWF for information and assistance applying for Florida KidCare. Call 850-747-5400 X 108 or request CCR&R via the link below!
Teach your way during the 2021-22 school year with this timely new collection from PBS Kids, of flexible resources aligned to monthly themes and skills for PreK-2 students. Use the monthly Teach Your Way calendar and teacher planner to integrate media in creative and developmentally appropriate ways, all year long!
Big Heart World is an initiative produced by Sparkler in collaboration with Noggin that enables parents and educators to help children explore what it means to have a “big heart” and how to grow one. This means:

  • Learning About Me — Awareness of self: identity & belonging, feelings and self-regulation
  • Learning About You — Awareness of others: empathy, appreciation of diversity
  • Learning About Us — Relationships with others: interpersonal strategies

Have your kids listen, sing, and dance along to "Help Work It Out", from Noggin’s Big Heart Beats album. And be sure to follow their site as they will release a new video every month.
June Special Dates
 
African-American Music Appreciation Month
National Zoo and Aquarium Month
LGBTQIA Pride Month
National Camping Month
National Gardening Week
National Fishing and Boating Week – Begins First Full Weekend
Community Health Improvement Week – First Full Week in June
National Boys & Girls Club Week
‌
June 1
National Pen Pal Day
National Say Something Nice Day
 
June 3
National Doughnut Day
 
June 5
National Cancer Survivor's Day
 
June 6
D-Day
National Higher Education Day
 
June 8
National Best Friends Day

June 10
National Movie Night

June 14
National Flag Day
June 15
National Smile Power Day
Nature Photography Day
 
June 17
National Mascot Day
 
June 18
National Go Fishing Day

June 19
Father's Day
Juneteenth
 
June 21
Summer Begins — Longest Day of the Year
 
June 24
Take Your Dog to Work Day
 
June 30
National Handshake Day
We exist to help grow healthy children, parents,
and the relationship between them.
Sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida and the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning