MAY 2023

Community Coordinated Care for Children is committed to strengthening our communities and families. It's our belief that every child deserves the right to a bright and successful future. We produce this newsletter as part of 4C’s mission to be a community leader in providing high-quality services that improve the lives of children and families.

Teacher Appreciation Week

May 8-12, 2023

This is a time when teachers get the extra credit they deserve. Teachers get a whole week to savor our appreciation. Whether you have a teacher, know a teacher, or are a teacher, there are endless ways to give a little extra support to teachers and teacher organizations. Teaching is a time-consuming and challenging profession, so this week is our chance to say thank you to those that play or have played such a huge role in our lives. For more information, click here.

Child Care Provider Appreciation Day

Friday, May 12, 2023

Provider Appreciation Day was started in 1996 by a group of volunteers in New Jersey who saw the need to recognize the tireless efforts of providers who care for children of working parents. Support for this event has grown each year and recognition presently includes Child Care Resource & Referral agencies, child care advocates, community-based organizations, government entities and individuals throughout the United States. To learn more, click here.

Water Safety

Summer is right around the corner, and that's when children want to play and splash in the water outside. Water safety is a critical skill at any age to assist a child’s behavior in and around water. Never allow your child to go near or in the water alone and always have a water watcher with your child to observe them, no matter their swimming level. Before you head out to the pool, beach or any body of water, talk to your child about staying safe while having fun. To learn more about water safety, click here.

EVENTS CALENDAR



Here are upcoming free or low-cost, family-friendly events in Central Florida:

Saturday, May 6

Make 'm Smile, Lake Eola Park, Orlando, 8 a.m.

Station 12 Open House, Orlando Fire Department Station 12, 9 a.m.

Pool Event, Dr. James R. Smith Pool, Orlando, 1 p.m.

Thursday, May 11

Free Movie, Central Park, Winter Park, 8 p.m.

Friday, May 12

Free Movie, Lake Eola East Lawn, Orlando, 8 p.m.

Saturday, May 13

Family Fest, Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs, noon.

Sunday, May 14

Free Family Funday, Mennello Museum of American Art Museum, Orlando, noon.

Friday, May 19

Free Movie, Lakefront Park, St. Cloud, 7:45 p.m.

Saturday, May 20

Before The Storm hurricane season prep event, Kissimmee Civic Center, 10 a.m.

Water Safety Day, Gym & Aquatic Facility, Oviedo, 11 a.m.

Free Movie, Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs, 8 p.m.

For more events, check out the 4C Community Calendar, click here.

EARLY LEARNING RESOURCES

School Readiness

The Florida School Readiness Program offers financial assistance to low-income families for early education and care. We are actively enrolling children ages birth to 12 years old. To learn more, click here.

Head Start/Early Head Start

The 4C Head Start and Early Head Start programs promote school readiness and child development for eligible low-income families with children from birth to 5 years old, click here.

Voluntary PreKindergarten

VPK is free of charge to all 4-year-old children in Florida regardless of family income. The high-quality learning opportunity builds a strong academic structure. Now Enrolling. To learn more, click here.

Child Care Resource & Referral

Finding the right child care setting is an important decision. Trained CCR&R Specialists can locate quality child care based on your family’s needs, click here.

Neighborhood Centers for Families

NCF is made up of non-profits, agencies, churches, and groups that work together to provide family-friendly accessible services and activities to Orange County families, click here.

Parents’ Pages

Get tips, strategies, and child development information from the Florida Division of Early Learning monthly newsletter, click here.

Agency Funders

Florida Department of Education | Florida Division of Early Learning

Early Learning Coalition of Orange County | National Office of Head Start

Florida Department of Children and Families | Florida Health

United Way | Orange County Government | City of Orlando

Sign up for the monthly 4C Family Newsletter and you’ll receive timely information about resources and services. You’ll also get a listing of free upcoming family events in Central Florida. To subscribe, click here.

For more information about Community

Coordinated Care for Children, click here.