Early Learning Coalition
of St. Lucie County
Your Champions of Early Education
August 2021
Parent Newsletter:
Resources for Your Family!
Free Access to Parenting Courses!
Behavior Talk Newsletter
Check out this Children's Behavior Support and Help Me Behave Collaboration for the month of August!
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New Emergency Rental Assistance Resources Available for Renters and Landlords

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Treasury to promote emergency rental assistance available through the American Rescue Plan Act. Many families need housing assistance to maintain stability, especially during times of uncertainty. The rental assistance will help cover rent, utilities, and other housing costs to keep residents in their homes.
We are asking all ACF grantees to help spread the word: rental assistance is available. Encourage renters and landlords to take advantage of the relief available to them. Find information on rental assistance across states and counties through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) https://hendall.cmail19.com/t/j-l-fdkmtl-irlkhtldyh-t/ website. The CFPB website also offers resources in English and Spanish to help renters and landlords access additional financial assistance related to housing costs.
The American Rescue Act Plan Act also includes $4.5 billion in additional Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding. The funds will help families with low incomes afford home heating and cooling costs and meet unpaid electric and natural gas bills. ACF is also administering over $1 billion in funding to assist low-income households with drinking water and wastewater bills through the newly established Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).


Please share this information widely. Together, we can work to prevent evictions, which benefits both renters and landlords. Learn more and help spread the word with these flyers:
 
Disney on Ice is coming to Orlando, Sunrise & Miami, FL!
Get $5 Off Select Seats with Promo Code DOI5FQ

Join Mickey Mouse and his friends at Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party, an adventure filled with world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics and unexpected stunts! Look for clues in the search for Tinker Bell through immersive, fantastic worlds.

Explore the colorful spirit realm of Coco, sail away with Moana as she bravely saves her island, see Belle in the sky as the enchanted chandelier comes to life, and sing-along with Elsa in the icy world of Frozen.

Make memories during Aladdin, Toy Story and The Little Mermaid as the search party becomes an all-out celebration!

See Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and stars from Moana, Coco, Frozen, Toy Story, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid.
Performance Schedule:
  • Orlando, FL (Amway Center): Sept 3 - 5
  • Sunrise, FL (BB&T Center): Sept 9 - 12
  • Miami, FL (FTX Arena): Sept 16 - 19

What You Need to Know:
  • Click HERE and use Promo Code DOI5FQ for $5 Off Select Seats
  • Doors open one hour prior to show time.
  • Any child who has reached their 2nd birthday needs a ticket.
  • Hurry! Offer expires the Sunday night preceding each event.

 Visit DisneyOnIce.com for COVID-19 information and venue safety standards.
Carpool Safety: COVID and Beyond
As the COVID pandemic finally begins to recede and Americans emerge from their homes, parents, guardians and caregivers are returning to the carpool line. While children are undoubtedly excited to see their friends, return to school and rejoin their favorite activities, this newfound freedom does come with some risk.

Despite ongoing vaccinations, coronavirus has not been entirely defeated. We have put together some extra preventative and safety measures you can take during carpools to keep your children safe and healthy.

Follow these helpful links:
Parent Perks & Resources
Kids Eat Free (or cheap) Guide
Family Dining with the Kids in Saint Lucie County

Need dinner plans? We've compiled a list of St. Lucie County restaurants that offer Kids EAT FREE. Note that most usually require an adult entree purchase.
IMPORTANT: Please remember our edition covers St. Lucie County so the deals listed below have only been verified with those restaurants located within our county and in some cases, only the specific location listed.

Monday
Sonny's BBQ - 3120 US 1, Fort Pierce 34982 | 772-468-9086
1 kids meal per 1 adult purchase.

Tuesday
Bob Evans - 1830 SW Fountainview Boulevard, Port Saint Lucie 34986 | 772-879-0973 Kids 12 and under eat free 4 PM to close. 1 child per adult entrée.
Bonefish Mac's - 662 SE Becker Road, Port Saint Lucie 34984 | 772-344-6227
2 kids meals per 1 adult meal purchase.
BurgerFi - 1473 NW St. Lucie West Boulevard, Port Saint Lucie 34986 | 772-500-0102 Kids 12 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. 1 free kids meal per 1 adult meal.
Denny's - 4:00 - 10:00 PM, 1 child meal per adult entrée at the locations below.
10111 South US 1, Port Saint Lucie 34952 | 772-337-1955
Grandpa's Diner - 7586 South Federal Highway, Port St. Lucie 34952 | 772-777-4134
Grandpa's Grill and Pub - 338 SE Port Saint Lucie Boulevard, Port St. Lucie 34984 | 772-212-7244
Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries - 4007 SW Port St. Lucie Boulevard, Port St. Lucie 34953 | 772-207-7298 Get ONE $1.55 Kids Meal (ages 12 and under) with purchase of ONE regular combo. Dine in only. 
Miller's Ale House - 2220 SW Gatlin Boulevard, Port St Lucie 34953 | 772-206-3201 Kids 12 and under eat free: 1 kids meal per 1 regularly priced adult entree purchase, dine in only.

Wednesday
Duffy's - 1608 NW Courtyard Circle, Port Saint Lucie 34986 | 772-924-3565 One child meal per adult entrée.

Thursday
Grandpa's Diner - 7586 South Federal Highway, Port St. Lucie 34952 | 772-777-4134
Grandpa's Grill and Pub - 338 SE Port Saint Lucie Boulevard, Port St. Lucie 34984 | 772-212-7244
Saint Lucie Draft House - Saint Lucie Square - 6630 South US Highway 1, Port Saint Lucie 34952 | 772-460-2338 4 PM to close, Kids 12 and under eat free with the purchase of a beverage. 
Zaxby's - 3025 SW Port St. Lucie Boulevard, PSL 34953 | 772-207-5272 Kids 10 and under eat for FREE with the purchase of an adult meal. 1 kids per adult.

Sunday
Applebee's - 4898 Okeechobee Rd, Fort Pierce, FL 34947 | 772-460-1444 Kids meals are $1.99 all day (dine-in only, child must be present)
Lefty's Wings - 1034 SE Port Saint Lucie Boulevard, Port Saint Lucie 34952 | 772-337-3212 1 kids meal per adult entrée purchase.
Moe's Southwest Grill - Town Center at Lucie - 1769 SW Saint Lucie West Blvd., PSL 34986 | 772-344-3920 Kids eat free with purchase of 1 adult meal per child.

VERIFIED: June 22, 2021
Lincoln Park Community Center offers Edu-time Program to SLC Residents

The Lincoln Park Community Center will offer an Edu-time Program starting August 10, 2021. Designed for ages 5-11, this program provides a safe environment for students to come after school, complete homework assignments, read, and participate in fun educational/recreational activities.

Social distancing guidelines will be followed and masks are strongly recommended. Edu-time program is $25 a session per child. The first session takes place Tuesday, August 10th through December 17th. Activities take place Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 5:15 PM, excluding school and county observed holidays.

Registration and payment are required before students may participate. Limited spaces are available, so register your student today.

To register or for more information, contact the Lincoln Park Community Center staff at 772-462-1788. Operated by the St. Lucie County Parks & Recreation Department, the Lincoln Park Community Center is located at 1306 Avenue M in Fort Pierce.


It doesn’t take speed, just a heart for helping to Out Run Hunger. Treasure Coast Food Bank will hold its inaugural Out Run Hunger 5k, a family-friendly event to support programs for children, families and seniors.

It takes place on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Causeway Cove Marina in Fort Pierce.
Join in to help the one in four people on the Treasure Coast facing hunger this year. As part of Hunger Action Month, Out Run Hunger provides another way for people to help those often facing impossible choices to make ends meet.

"September is Hunger Action Month. It’s a time when we ask everyone to think about our neighbors who often have to make impossible choices, such as buying food or paying the electric bill,” said Judith Cruz, President and CEO of Treasure Coast Food Bank. “Out Run Hunger is one more way that adults and children can take action against hunger.”

The race site offers a flat and fast course, perfect for runners of all levels. All participants will receive a t-shirt and finisher medal. The race will be managed and chip-timed by Southern Timing LLC., and awards will be given to the top three male and female overall finishers and top finishers by age-group.

Dunkin’ Brands is the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Out Run Hunger. Packet pick-up takes place the night before the race at Cobb’s Landing, which is partnering with Treasure Coast Food Bank for the event. Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company and ReadyRefresh® will be providing drinks for the event. Learn more or register at stophunger.org/event/out-run-hunger.

Out Run Hunger is one of many events Treasure Coast Food Bank has planned for Hunger Action Month.

Treasure Coast Food Bank has created a calendar of activities to raise awareness and offer opportunities for everyone to get involved.

Across the Treasure Coast, businesses will be lighting up orange on their buildings, fountains and signs. City and county leaders will be proclaiming September as Hunger Action Month. Everyone can “Go Orange” online with a Hunger Action Month Facebook frame and by tagging #hungeractionmonth.

Other highlights include Out Laugh Hunger, a comedy show slated for September 10th, The Fall Flavors Food & Beer Pairing on September 22nd at Sailfish Brewery, and Hops Against Hunger, a month-long food drive taking place at craft breweries throughout the Treasure Coast.
For more information about Hunger Action Month, visit stophunger.org.

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Need More Information About Selecting the Childcare That Fits Your Family?

Childcare Resource & Referral (CCR&R) is a FREE community service offering information and
referral services to all families who are seeking:

  • Quality childcare information
  • Summer and holiday childcare solutions
  • Childcare services for a special needs child
  • Financial assistance options

CCR&R also assists in the recruitment, startup and support of providers, while promoting quality, availability and affordability of existing services in the community.
CCR&R makes referrals only, not recommendations. We do not warrant the information provided. We do not license, endorse or recommend any particular provider, nor can we assure a program gives quality childcare. 

To Find Out More, Contact a CCR&R Specialist at the Early Learning Coalition of St Lucie County at (772) 595-6363

Be Sure To Check Out Our Resources Page for Helpful Information!

Early Learning Coalition is Here For You

At this time the Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County remains closed to the public. However, we remain in office to serve the community and to help access ELC services:

Visit Us Online:

Call Us, Monday-Friday from 8am to 5pm
(772)595-6363
Parent Pages from the Division of Early Learning
Stay Connected!
Follow The Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County
On Our Social Networks!
Events, Resources, Parenting Tips and More!
Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County www.elcslc.org 772-595-6424
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