School Readiness

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In 1999, a bill was passed that created the Florida Partnership for School Readiness (FPSR) and called for the creation of local school readiness coalitions with the overall goal being to improve the readiness of children when they enter school. With specific membership designated by the statute, 31 school readiness coalitions were formed throughout the state covering all 67 counties. In 2001, the Florida Partnership for School Readiness was transferred from the Executive Office of the Governor to the Agency for Workforce Innovation for administrative purposes. Further, the funds for the Pre-Kindergarten Early Intervention Program, Subsidized Child Care Program, First Start, Migrant Pre-K as well as others are now managed by the Agency for Workforce Innovation / Office of Early Learning (AWI/OEL) and distributed to the local coalitions.

Local Coalitions were charged with assessing the resources available in their community and developing local plans to address the identified needs. Upon approval of the plan by the OEL coalitions have entered into agreements to control the disbursement of funds serving young children and their families.

The Office of Early Learning serves in a role to help facilitate communications among the coalitions and is assisting in the development of the Early Learning Coalitions Statewide Network. Any questions regarding the network should be addressed to: The Office of Early Learning at 1-866-357-3239.

The statute addressed other areas of readiness and can be viewed by clicking on the Office of Early Learning website at www.earlylearningflorida.org. Questions about Florida's school readiness initiatives should be directed to the OEL office at 1-866-357-3289.

Local Coalitions in Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole County meet to discuss important issues that effect the responsibility that we will have in helping children with readiness for school.

Listed below are the County Coalition meeting schedules for this current month. Please check into our Website periodically. Time and Locations may change. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call any of the contact people listed below:

County Coalition Chairperson Location 4C Contact Person & Telephone Number Time Date ORANGE Richard Morrison Dr. Phillips Room 1940 Traylor Blvd. Orlando, FL 32804 Debora Wilson (407) 532-4147 8:30AM - 10:30AM Thursday, February 12, 2009 OSCEOLA Charlie Rogers Kissimmee Chamber of Commerce 1425 E. Vine Street Kissimmee, FL 34744 Emillie Peck (407) 532-4358 3:30PM - 5:30PM Thursday, January 29, 2009 SEMINOLE Bob O'Malley SCPS Room 306 Emillie Peck (407) 532-4358 TBA TBA SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Sabra Cecil 5256 Summerlin Commons Blvd., Suite 201 Ft. Myers, FL 33907 Mary Ellen Saba (239) 935-6140 9:00AM - 11:15AM Wednesday, January 21, 2009