In 1999, the Florida Legislature created local coalitions and gave them the responsibility to develop an integrated School Readiness Program with the goal to prepare children for success in school through early education and care programs. That meant transferring programs managed by state agencies for low income families to programs managed by a local board.  In 2005, the State of Florida added the Universal Voluntary Pre-K Program. Now the Coalition oversees both Programs.

School Readiness Programs include the following:  

What is School Readiness?     (Florida Statute 411.01)
     
The Legislators recognized that school readiness programs increase children's chances of achieving future educational success and becoming productive members of society.  It is the intent of the Legislature that programs be developmentally appropriate, research-based, involve parents as their child's first teacher, serve as preventive measures for children at risk of future failure, enhance the educational readiness of eligible children, and support family education. 

Each school readiness program shall provide the elements necessary to prepare at-risk children for school, including health screening and referral and an appropriate educational program.

The School Readiness Program has been set up as a separate program - funded separately from the system of free public schools and voluntary pre-k. It utilizes a sliding fee scale, and provides an integrated and seamless system of school readiness services for the state's birth-to-kindergarten population.

Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County
4424 NW 13th St. A5
Gainesville FL 32609
Ph: 352-375-4110
email: info@elcalachua.org