Early Learning Coalition of Marion County

The school readiness program offers financial assistance to low-income families for Early child education and care so families can become financially self-sufficient and their young children can be successful in school in the future. Serving children from birth through the age of 12. School readiness programs provide developmental screenings for children and referrals to health and educational specialists the program takes into account a child's physical, social, emotional and intellectual development; involves parents as their child's first teacher; prepares children to be ready for school; and gives parents information about child development and other topics of interest. The Early Learning Coalition provides services in the school readiness program to 2,919 children in Marion County.

Help me grow (hmg) is a unique, comprehensive, and integrated statewide system designed to address the need for Early identification of developmental and/or behavioral concerns, and then to link children and their families to community-based developmental and behavioral services and supports. The Coalition served 212 children in 197 families during the fiscal year.

The voluntary prekindergarten education program -- prepares Early learners for success in kindergarten and beyond. Vpk helps build a strong foundation for school using educational material corresponding to various stages in a child's development. To be eligible, children must live in Florida and be 4 years old on or before sept. 1 of the current school year. The Coalition served an average of 1,797 children per month.

Success by 6 program and other programs: success by 6 is a parent education initiative which focuses on Early childhood education through parent trainings, technical assistance and parent resources.