June 24, 2020
Please report any closures, reopenings, or program changes due to COVID-19 to the Redline .
For information to keep you safe and up-to-date with COVID-19 Updates !
Northwest Florida Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program
The Northwest Florida Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program is still accepting applications from eligible businesses to be recipients of the $5,000 grant awards until such time that the grant funding is depleted. This grant was made possible through a $300,000 contribution from Gulf Power, and it is the second round of funding for the grant program. Please read the requirements to ensure eligibility, and be sure to submit a complete application with proper supporting documentation.
 
IN ORDER TO QUALIFY YOUR BUSINESS MUST BE:
 
  • A for-profit, privately-held small business that maintains a place of business including physical location (commercial building) in select Northwest Florida Counties and was established on, or before January 1, 2019. Eligible Northwest Florida Counties include Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Jackson, Washington, Calhoun, and Bay. Establishment is determined by registration with the Florida Department of State (“SunBiz”), either as an entity or registered fictitious name. For sole proprietorships which do not require a fictitious name, other sources such as county/city business tax receipts and/or federal tax returns can be used as a substitute.

  • Your business must have been profitable in 2019 as indicated in tax returns or financial document.

  • The business must have a demonstrated reduction in sales revenues of 25% or more due to the loss of business income related to COVID-19. Applicant must provide written justification and documented evidence of economic loss or injury caused by the declared disaster, e.g. sales reports or income statements from a previous year compared to the current period.

  • The business must be a small business with 11 to 29 employees. The number of employees will be verified using employer documentation (Form W-3, Form 941 or 1099s). Please note, if submitting Form 1099, we will only accept 1099s written out to individual employees, not other businesses.
 
Please click the button below  for the full details on how to apply. Any reference on the grant application or elsewhere to the original June 12th deadline is no longer applicable.
Quality Performance System Updates
The Quality Performance system (QPS) requires updating to determine which classrooms need to be observed for the 2020-2021 contract year. To update your required information please log into the QPS, by clicking the blue button below, and update your information.

If a green "Needs Registration" button does NOT appear after you have logged in successfully please review the following information:
  • Your program is a biennial program and you do not need a program assessment at this time.
  • Your program assessment has already been completed.

If a green "Needs Registration" button appears after you have logged in successfully please complete the following step(s):
  • Complete the registration process by updating your staff/classroom rosters.
  • Once registration is complete, click submit.
  • Registration must be completed by close of business Monday, June 29, 2020.

Please reach out to the Redline if you have any questions or concerns.
VPK 2020-21
If you want to participate in the 2020-2021 VPK Program Year, please note the submission deadlines below:

  • If you submitted your VPK application for Advance Payment, on or before Friday, June 19, 2020, your VPK Applications will be finalized by June 26th, 2020 so that you can enter the COE’s prior to July 1,2020.

  • If you are not participating in Advance Payment, the VPK Application is due NO LATER THAN Friday, July 3, 2020. ALL VPK Applications will need to be completed by July 31, 2020 so that the COE’s can be entered prior to the first day of school.
Have Your Voice Heard
Your thoughts matter. Your experience is impactful. Your story needs to be heard.

We, at the Coalition, want to hear about the unique challenges you, your staff, and the families you serve have faced in the wake of this pandemic; it is time for us all to be heard!

Please, take a moment to print and publish the flier linked below with information on how families can complete the survey via their phone. To share your personal story, please click and complete the survey linked below. To discuss your thoughts and challenges further please register the June 25, 2020 Town Hall Meeting at 6:00PM !
Coalition Mental Health Program
Offered to ELC Children, Families and Child Care Staff
In light of recent events, the Coalition will be offering support services including the opportunity to talk with  mental health specialists  who can help provide information, support, and even counseling.

These services are  free  to the children and families in your care as well as child care center staff. Sessions can be conducted via phone or video until it is safe to meet in person.  These services are confidential and are designed to help in this time of increased stress and uncertainty.

There are many ways that we can help. We can explain the current health crisis to young children, develop plans to deal with the isolation associated with social distancing, provide advice on handling increased fears/anxieties, or address other needs in the family.  Sessions typically meet once a week for 50 minutes at a time that is convenient for all.

If you are interested, please submit a request to the   Learning Line !

When submitting requests please include the following:
  • Your name
  • The name of the person/child you are requesting theses service for
  • Place of employment
  • Email address
  • Phone number
Florida KidCare
In a time when the health and safety of our community are most important, help keep the children in you 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!
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