Welcome to the ELCFH

The Mission of the Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland is primarily to facilitate access to high quality early education and care and to provide Voluntary Pre-kindergarten and School Readiness programs for children ages birth to five through an integrated system of services that include linkages to health care and parenting support.

Furthermore, the Coalition may facilitate access to safe child care for school age children eligible for services as described in the Florida Administrative Code.

The primary function of the ELCFH is to administer School Readiness and Voluntary Pre-kindergarten services to Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands Counties.

ELCFH Impacts Families

• School Readiness Scholarships for child care helps:
  • Low-income working families (eligibility based on family size and income)
  • At-risk families (protective services, foster care, relative caregivers)
• Provides a quality, safe environment for children while parents work.
• Free educational materials for families.
• Free childcare resource and referrals for families.

ELCFH Impacts Children

• Focuses on providing quality care and education primarily to children birth to 5 years.
• Provides opportunity for children to participate in educational environments to prepare for school success.
• Encourages movement away from "babysitting" and "day care" to early care and education.
• Annual assessment of childcare centers and family child care homes to ensure the existence of quality, healthy and safe environments.
• Support Services to contracted providers: free/low cost training and environment assessments

ELCFH Impacts Child Wellness

• Free annual vision, hearing and developments assessments and screening to all children enrolled in contracted sites.
• Early detection and educational accommodations implemented as necessary.

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Calendar of Events

Calendar of Events