March 31, 2021
Reminder to register for the
Provider netWORK Webinar - April 6th

Please register for next week's webinar using the blue button below. You will receive a confirmation email after completing your registration.
March Virtual Board Meeting

April 14, 2021 11:00 AM CDT

Don't miss the April Board Meeting!
Please call: (646) 558-8656
using meeting ID number: 882 7908 0824
and passcode: 70332401
Technical Assistance for new OEL Provider Portal

The Coalition would like you to know that you now have the ability to renew both SR and VPK Contracts for the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 utilizing the 2021-2022 PROFILE update. This year we are offering Technical Assistance & Contract support via virtual ZOOM meetings. With these ZOOM meetings, Providers can receive one-on-one technical assistance with the contracting process on the NEW OEL Provider Portal and talk with Coalition Staff to receive assistance with the PROFILE questions and requirements.

Time slots are available in 20-minute increments and you will need to sign up for a designated time. Once you have signed up, an invitation and link to your designated ZOOM meeting will be emailed to you.

You should have the following information with you at the ZOOM Meeting:
  • W-9  Signed and dated for upload
  • Current screenshot of the SUNBIZ website showing ACTIVE and having borders showing the website and date information pulled down for upload
 
SR Providers ONLY:
  • Private Rate Statement as of July 1, 2021 for each age category served. You will need the information to enter in the PROFILE-Private Pay Rates and to upload it to the Document Tab. Providers are requested to list both Full-Time and Part-Time rates for each age category. If you do not typically do Part-Time, list the Full-Time rate in these spaces so there are compensation amounts in the system for each age category.
  • List of closure dates between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022.
Please follow the link below to reserve your time slot NOW! ZOOM Meetings where screens are shared are not compatible with mobile devices, so we recommend using your computer. If you have questions about ZOOM or how these meetings will work, please email the Redline with “ZOOM” in the subject line.
Wear Blue Day
April 1, 2021

Wear blue tomorrow and post a video or photo to social with the #WearBlueDay2021 hashtag to show support for children and families.
Help Me Grow Screening Event

HMG is available to offer free developmental screenings to the private-pay parents of your program.

Reserve a FREE Books, Balls, and Blocks Screening Event at your center today!
Know the New ZOOM Series: Pending Family Acceptance

If you missed the March Know the New Provider ZOOM presentation regarding the changes coming for enrollments in Pending Family Acceptance (PFA), please take a moment to review the PowerPoint to the right.
The upcoming changes due to start April 1, 2021, could impact the ability to be paid for children in the PFA enrollment status. If you have questions, please send to the redline at redline@elcnwf.org
Transition to Kindergarten Regional Summit - North Region

Tuesday April 20, 2021 to Wednesday April 21, 2021
8:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Registration for the Florida Office of Early Learning 2021 Transition to Kindergarten Regional Summit is now open! Be sure to sign up today to reserve your spot.

These virtual sessions span two half days and are intended to help preschool and public school educators as they plan ways to support the transitional changes children and families face when moving from Pre-K to kindergarten.
Be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page for the registration button.
VPK Open Enrollment Provider Tool Kit

VPK Registration for the 2021-22 school year is underway. We as a Coalition are promoting VPK and encouraging families to enroll their 4-year-olds for the Summer/Fall programs. Our new "Ready, Set, Enroll" campaign has hit the market and we have created additional marketing materials for our VPK Providers to leverage for their own open enrollment efforts. In this digital tool kit you will find:
 
  • All "Ready, Set, Enroll" logo files
  • Flyers/Posters (print to distribute or post)
  • Letter to Parent Templates (current or prospective enrollees)
  • Social Media Asset
  • Tip Sheet for Parents
  • My First Day of VPK sign
 
Additionally, we will be distributing Yard Signs to those Providers who are interested in receiving one.
If you are having trouble accessing the files via Dropbox, or have any questions about how to use the tools, please send all inquiries to redline@elcnwf.org.
ArtKidDoo On the Go!

Many of you are familiar with our annual community event that brings Arts and Education to our children and families. With many events being rescheduled or modified to address the necessary COVID-19 precautions, ArtKidDoo is no exception.

Last month we introduced a new and expanded mobile version of ArtKidDoo On the Go! With the intention to keep our community and volunteers safe, ArtKidDoo On the Go will offer contactless, fun take-home-friendly activities at no cost to families. ArtKidDoo activity kits will contain specially curated art activities complete with supplies and instructions. The activity kits will be handed out at various community distribution events, and we will post upcoming events in the newsletter for you to share with your families. You can also follow us on Facebook to get the latest updates.
Reimbursement for Background Screenings

The Coalition will assist School Readiness providers in obtaining and sustaining the early childhood education workforce by providing reimbursement for background screenings completed for employees hired on or after July 1, 2020.
The deadline for background screening reimbursement documentation submission will be June 1, 2021.

To process your request, please download and complete the reimbursement application form. Send your application and your proof of purchase to kimberly.sheff@elcnwf.org.

The documentation provided for reimbursement will need to include:
  1. The agency payment was made to
  2. The date the purchase was made

Please send questions to redline@elcnwf.org.
COVID-19 Vaccinations for
Child Care Workers

Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis announced new eligibility guidelines for COVID-19 vaccinations in Florida.
 
  • Beginning March 29, all individuals age 40 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Beginning April 5, all individuals age 18 and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
 
Pre-registration for the vaccine is recommended. Once pre-registered, you will be contacted when the vaccine is available in your area. You can also call the vaccine preregistration phone number for your county, listed here.

It has been a while since we have recognized an amazing teacher in our area, and we know there are many of them out there! We want to help you recognize teachers in your centers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. During the last week of this month, one teacher will be chosen for a prize in recognition of their hard work and dedication to the children they teach every day. You can nominate teachers from your centers by the 30th of every month by sending the following information through the Redline :

  • Photograph of the teacher (can be a head-shot or photo of them in action) 
  • Short paragraph about who they are
  • One thing (or more) this teacher has done to go above and beyond the call of duty 

Let's see those nominations flood the redline!
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.
As OEL is reviewing VPK success rates between VPK vs. Non-VPK programs across the state, the Coalition wanted to remind you about the OEL sponsored Virtual Study Buddies (VSB) opportunities, to assist VPK teachers as they review for the end of course assessments that are required for some of the VPK trainings. These sessions are FREE and provide an opportunity for participants to ask clarifying questions and get a better understanding of the course content that they will be testing on.  
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!
April Special Dates

National Child Abuse Awareness Month
Month of the Military Child
National Autism Awareness Month
Every Kid Healthy Week – Last Week in April

April 1st
April Fool’s Day

April 2nd
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
World Autism Awareness Day 
Good Friday

April 3rd
National Find a Rainbow Day
National Love Our Children Day

April 4th
Easter Sunday

April 10th
National Siblings Day
April 11th
National Pet Day

April 18th
National Animal Crackers Day

April 21st
National Kindergarten Day
National Administrative Professionals’ Day

April 22nd
Earth Day
Teach Children To Save Day

April 23rd
National Picnic Day

April 27th
National Tell a Story Day

April 28th
National Superhero Day

April 30th
Arbor Day
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