March 30, 2022
Dear Providers,

As most of you know, the opportunity to receive stabilization funds has arrived. The Coalition held Zoom meetings with providers to give vital information about the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization Grant and we will continue to hold meetings to assist you with the application process. Below we have provided a list of tips and tools for your utilization.


  1. To apply, you must have a 2021-2022 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 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 prior to the first Q&A session, please contact Jenna Drew (jenna.drew@elcnwf.org) or Michelle Shadoan (michelle.shadoan@elcnwf.org).
Phonological Awareness Development for Preschoolers Training
Monday, April 11, 2022 | 2:00 - 5:00 PM (CST)

Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida will be offering an in-person Phonological Awareness Development for Preschoolers training. The training will take place at 910 Harrison Ave., Panama City FL 32401. This training will help VPK teachers and directors meet the required emergent literacy training hours.

To register for the training you will need to go to the DCF training website and enter this course number #9866. As a reminder, all of the trainings listed on the DCF training website are listed in eastern time.
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: 
Spring 2022 Registration Flamingo Early Learning Courses 
Flamingo Early Learning VPK Emergent Literacy Training Courses.
When parents are actively involved in promoting early development and learning, the results are better child outcomes, and stronger parent–child bonds.
 
Adapted from the trusted Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®) family of products, this free toolkit will help you engage families in supporting their child’s developmental and social-emotional skills.
 
You’ll get
  • tip sheets on supporting development
  • fun and easy learning activities
  • a quick-guide to ASQ screening

Act now to get this brand-new toolkit—perfect for sharing with parents!
Shared Resources Florida

In case you missed this exciting information in the Director’s World Tour Packet, Shared Resources Florida is a service provided to ELCNWF’s providers by the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County. This is a FREE and easy-to-use web platform full of practical tools and resources for early care programs. It contains all the tools your child care business needs to be MORE efficient, MORE effective, and MORE successful. Think of it as a one-stop-shop to save time and MONEY! Click below for more information and instructions on how to request your login. Please note that ELCOC has requested that if you have more than one center that you request only one login.

Be sure to check back in the weekly Provider Newsletters for tips on how to get the most out of Shared Resources Florida!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Tami Valdez, your Provider Development Specialist, at 850.704.0703 or tami.valdez@elcnwf.org.
4 Tips for Using Positive Descriptive Feedback with Young Learners
Positive descriptive feedback is one of the most effective ways to reinforce desired behavior in young children and address behavior challenges in a gentle, nonpunitive way. Equally useful for both teachers and caregivers, positive descriptive feedback tells children exactly what they’ve done, gives them direct reinforcement for acting appropriately, and encourages them to use that behavior in the future. (A good example: saying to a student during morning meeting, “I can tell you’re ready. You have your hands in your lap and your eyes on me!”) Using this kind of feedback daily can be a highly effective way to Read More...
Florida Prepaid Information for Families
Florida Prepaid is encouraging families to start saving for college by joining them in the journey. When parents enroll in a Florida 529 Prepaid Plan now through April 30, 2022, they'll earn $125 for each year of college or university purchased - up to $500 total.
 
Prepaid Plans are the risk-free, stress-free way to save for college – allowing them to lock in future tuition costs for less.
 
  • Covers tuition and most fees; optional dormitory plan available
  • Choose the plan to fit your budget; Florida Prepaid manages the rest
  • Risk-free plans are guaranteed by the State of Florida
  • Set payment schedule (monthly, 5-year, lump sum)
Please print and distribute to your families
Quarterly Frog Street Training is available now
 
These recurring trainings will be for new staff coming on board or current staff needing a refresher.

  • Frog Street roll-out training is available for providers needing beginners training for their current staff.  
  • This can be completed virtually or on-site at your center.  
  • 80% of providers, currently using Frog Street Curriculum, has received this roll-out training for staff, but if you feel you need additional training, please email the redline.
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.
We are looking for parents to join the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

Download a copy of the flyer by clicking the button below. Please make sure all parents in your center receive a copy of this flyer. You can print to send home with each of your children, or you can simply post the flyer on your social media page.
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 "Celebrate Our Differences", from Noggin’s Big Heart Beats album. And be sure to follow their site as they will release a new video every month.
April Special Dates
 
Alcohol Awareness Month
Financial Literacy Month
National Child Abuse Awareness Month
Month of the Military Child
Keep America Beautiful Month
Autism Awareness Month
National Volunteer Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month
National Library Week (April 3-9)
National Wildlife Week (April 4-8)
National Volunteer Week (April 17-23)
Administrative Professionals Week (April 25-29)
Every Kid Healthy Week (April 24-30)
March 30
National Doctors Day
National Pencil Day
 
March 31
National Crayon Day 

April 1
April Fool’s Day

April 2
Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
World Autism Awareness Day 
National Love Our Children Day

April 3
Find a Rainbow Day

April 4
School Librarian Day

April 5
Library Workers Day

April 6
Childhelp National Day of Hope

April 8
Zoo Lovers Day

April 9
National Unicorn Day

April 10
Encourage a Young Writer Day
National Siblings Day

April 11
National Pet Day
April 12
National Only Child Day

April 15
Good Friday

April 17
Easter

April 18
Animal Crackers Day

April 21
National Kindergarten Day

April 22
Earth Day

April 23
National Picnic Day

April 26
Kids and Pets Day

April 27
Tell a Story Day
Administrative Professionals’ Day

April 28
National Superhero Day
Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Teach Children to Save Day

April 30
National Adopt a Shelter Pet 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