General Info:
The Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, Inc. began operations as Marion County School Readiness Coalition, Inc. in 1999 when Florida legislature created School Readiness Coalitions. The purpose of the Coalitions state-wide is to ensure that children at risk of academic failure are provided the tools and resources to assist them in being prepared to enter school, and eligible low-income working parents can access quality child care. The Coalition serves as a community-based planning, funding, and service coordinating organization that designs and manages an integrated system of early learning services. The Agency for Workforce Innovation is charged with administering the state's early learning programs and through the Agency's Office of Early Learning ( OEL ) provides oversight of Florida's School Readiness programs, and is the lead entity for implementing the state's Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten ( VPK ) program. The Agency's vision for Florida is "Children Ready to Learn, Families Ready to Earn". In the first 10 years, the Coalition Board of Directors and Staff have focused intensively on: early learning programs, the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten ( VPK ) program and parent education through our partnership with United Way of Marion County for the Success By 6 initiative The Coalition is a registered not-for-profit corporation serving Marion County, Florida. Governance is provided through a 24 member Board of Directors comprised of local business leaders from the public and private sector. New and innovative approaches for improving the quality and availability of child care and early learning in Marion County are a significant focus of the Coalition. Early Learning Coalitions are required to operate based on their three-year plan approved by the Agency for Workforce Innovation ( AWI ). The detailed plan includes a community plan, Coalition governance, program administration, community coordination, processes with parents and providers, and quality activities and services.