Mission

The Early Learning Coalition of Santa Rosa County provides a seamless system of care in which children receive the high quality school readiness services necessary for optimal cognitive, emotional, social and physical development, with the necessary linkage to screening and assessments, health care, and support for parents.

 

Case Study

A four-year-old suspected of being in need of speech services had been “lost in the system” due to frequent guardianship changes resulting in multiple and sporadic child care placements for a period of eighteen months. The child later emerged as a "private pay” client at a Coalition-contracted family child care home. The Coalition screening specialist worked with the provider and guardian to secure a referral for services with FDLRS.  In the process, the Coalition was able to supply information on the child’s sibling, also in need of language intervention services.  Both children received the vital services they so desperately needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Us

Overview

The Santa Rosa County School Readiness Coalition, Inc. dba the Early Learning Coalition of Santa Rosa County (Coalition), is a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in December 1999 prior to the enactment of Florida Statute 411.01 in May 2001. The Coalition is responsible for the oversight and funding of early education and childcare programs using federal, state and local funding sources.

The purpose of the Coalition is to carry out the duties and responsibilities invested and entrusted to the Coalition pursuant to the provisions of the School Readiness Act and the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program. Collectively these programs are referred to as “early learning programs.” The Coalition recognizes the primacy of parents as their children’s first teachers and the importance of children entering the education system ready to learn, and seeks to assist parents by providing opportunities for the at-risk birth-to-kindergarten population to enhance their chances for educational success by participating in quality early learning programs that can better prepare the children for school.

The Coalition recognizes that school readiness programs increase children’s chances of achieving future educational success and becoming productive members of society. The Coalition is made up of a volunteer board of community leaders that have invested hundreds of hours in the development and implementation of a community wide school readiness plan designed to achieve this goal.

The foundation of the plan is built on the utilization of the existing community infrastructure and available services to respond to the needs of Santa Rosa’s families and children. Key strategies to foster optimal child development, based on research and developmentally appropriate practices have been incorporated into the plan to meet the needs of our county.

In January 2007, the Coalition began directly providing services that had been previously contracted to Children’s Services Center. Then in September 2007, the Coalition relocated due to the growth in staff resulting from the assumption of services and with the goal of modernizing the training facility and lending library that is used by providers and parents.

 

 

Programs

  • School readiness child care, including child care slot payments and eligibility services;
  • Resource and referral services;
  • Provider services and support, including technical assistance and training for child care providers;
  • Parent/child services including technical assistance and support for parents/caregivers;
  • Infant/toddler services;
  • Inclusion services; quality activities including provider and partner scholarships and mini-grants;
  • Support for fine art activities, nursing services, mental health initiatives, and the purchase of books, toys, supplies and equipment to be used by child care providers;
  • Voluntary pre-kindergarten oversight activities included provider recruitment and training, implementation, public awareness, administration, enrollment, monitoring and slot payments.