Child Care Providers The Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County (ELCAC) is here to assist your Child Care Center or Family Child Care Home to reach the highest standard of early care and education. There are many benefits in partnering with the ELCAC to serve children. Florida Statute 402.3018 mandates the provision of a toll-free number to provide assistance and consultation specifically to child care personnel regarding the inclusion of children with disabilities and special health care needs. This number is known as the Warm Line. The toll-free local Warm-Line is available to child care centers and family child care homes requesting information relating to the disability and special health care needs issues of the children they are serving. The Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County, Inc. provides Warm-Line services for child care providers on such topics as: Curriculum Strategies Child development Health Environmental adaptations Laws and regulations (i.e. The Americans with Disabilities Act) In Alachua County, call Toby Hunter, Inclusion Coordinator 352-374-0946, ext. 114 The statewide warm line number 1-866-357-3239. The Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services (Central Directory) toll-free number 1-800-654-4440 The Central Directory/FDLRS website www.centraldirectory.org Note: The Central Directory/FDLRS State Network provides the following services: advocacy, coordination, education, information and referral, and training/technical assistance on disability and special health care needs. In addition, this department has the capacity to electronically connect calls to the 16 Early Steps Programs and 24 local FDLRS Programs. Goals and Objectives of the Inclusion Initiative Increase the number of providers who offer quality inclusive programs for children with disabilities and special health care needs Enhance the confidence, ability level, and education of caregivers who care for children with disabilities and special health care needs Assist providers and the families they serve in understanding and accessing the community resources and services available for children with disabilities and special health care needs Increase community awareness of the need for, requirements of, and benefits associated with inclusive child care for children with disabilities and special health care needs